If you love easy desserts bursting with bright, tangy flavor, this Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is going to be your new favorite! With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can whip up a rich, sweet, and citrusy treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Incredibly Easy – Just dump, layer, and bake—no mixing required!
Bright and Tangy Flavor – The fresh lemon taste perfectly balances the sweet, creamy layers.
Minimal Ingredients – Only a handful of pantry staples needed.
Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for potlucks, holidays, or whenever you need a quick dessert.
Decadent Yet Refreshing – A rich dessert that still feels light, thanks to the lemony zest.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Dump Cake:
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- 2 cans (15 oz each) lemon pie filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Garnish (Optional):
- Fresh lemon zest
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Whipped cream
Tools You’ll Need
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Mixing bowl
- Electric hand mixer or whisk
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Step 2: Layer the Lemon Pie Filling
Dump both cans of lemon pie filling into the prepared baking dish.
Spread it out evenly with a spatula to cover the bottom of the dish.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Layer
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the lemon filling. You don’t need to cover it completely—it will spread as it bakes.
Step 4: Add the Cake Mix
Evenly sprinkle the dry lemon cake mix over the cream cheese and lemon layers.
Gently spread it out if needed to make sure it covers everything.
Step 5: Pour the Butter
Slowly drizzle the melted butter over the entire surface of the cake mix.
Try to cover as much of the cake mix as possible to ensure even baking.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and bubbly around the edges.
Allow the dump cake to cool slightly before serving—it will set up as it cools.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Top with a dusting of powdered sugar, a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest, or a dollop of whipped cream if desired.
Scoop and serve warm, or chill and serve cold depending on your preference.
Tips for Perfect Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake
Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese – It blends smoother and easier.
Don’t Stir – Resist the urge to mix the layers; the magic happens as it bakes.
Cover Dry Spots – Make sure the butter covers most of the cake mix to avoid dry patches.
Let It Rest – Allow the cake to cool a bit before serving so the layers can set properly.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Warm – Fresh out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Chilled – Refrigerate and enjoy it cold for a firmer, cheesecake-like texture.
At Parties – Cut into squares or serve in small bowls for easy sharing.
How to Store & Reheat
Storing:
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing:
Freeze individual portions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating:
Oven: Warm in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes.
Microwave: Heat individual servings for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use homemade lemon pie filling?
Yes! If you prefer homemade, you can substitute it for the canned pie filling. - Can I use a different flavor cake mix?
Definitely. Vanilla or white cake mix would work beautifully with lemon pie filling too. - What if I don’t have lemon zest?
It’s optional but adds extra freshness. You can skip it or substitute with a little more vanilla in the cream cheese layer. - Can I make this dairy-free?
You can use dairy-free cream cheese and a plant-based butter alternative to make a dairy-free version.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is the definition of an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert. With its bright lemony flavor, creamy pockets of sweetened cream cheese, and buttery, tender cake topping, every bite is pure sunshine. Perfect for busy days, parties, or just satisfying a sweet tooth, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
Give it a try and let me know what you think! Don’t forget to leave a review below and share your photos on Pinterest! I can’t wait to see your delicious creations.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Cuisine: American
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 360 | Protein: 4g | Carbohydrates: 45g | Fat: 18g | Fiber: 1g | Sodium: 340mg

Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake
- Total Time: 55 minutes
Description
If you love easy desserts bursting with bright, tangy flavor, this Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is going to be your new favorite! With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can whip up a rich, sweet, and citrusy treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
Want recipes like this delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe now to get the latest culinary creations you’ll love.
Ingredients
For the Dump Cake:
-
1 box lemon cake mix
-
2 cans (15 oz each) lemon pie filling
-
8 oz cream cheese, softened
-
½ cup powdered sugar
-
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
For Garnish (Optional):
-
Fresh lemon zest
-
Powdered sugar for dusting
-
Whipped cream
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Step 2: Layer the Lemon Pie Filling
Dump both cans of lemon pie filling into the prepared baking dish.
Spread it out evenly with a spatula to cover the bottom of the dish.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Layer
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the lemon filling. You don’t need to cover it completely—it will spread as it bakes.
Step 4: Add the Cake Mix
Evenly sprinkle the dry lemon cake mix over the cream cheese and lemon layers.
Gently spread it out if needed to make sure it covers everything.
Step 5: Pour the Butter
Slowly drizzle the melted butter over the entire surface of the cake mix.
Try to cover as much of the cake mix as possible to ensure even baking.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and bubbly around the edges.
Allow the dump cake to cool slightly before serving—it will set up as it cools.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Top with a dusting of powdered sugar, a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest, or a dollop of whipped cream if desired.
Scoop and serve warm, or chill and serve cold depending on your preference.
Notes
Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese – It blends smoother and easier.
Don’t Stir – Resist the urge to mix the layers; the magic happens as it bakes.
Cover Dry Spots – Make sure the butter covers most of the cake mix to avoid dry patches.
Let It Rest – Allow the cake to cool a bit before serving so the layers can set properly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Cuisine: American