🍋 Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake – Bright, Buttery, and Blissfully Easy

If sunshine were a dessert, it would taste like this Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake. It’s everything we love in a dessert—tangy, creamy, buttery, and simple enough to whip up in minutes. Whether you’re planning a spring brunch, a baby shower, or just want to end a weeknight meal on a bright note, this cheerful yellow beauty delivers flavor with almost zero fuss.

Made with just five pantry and fridge staples, this dump cake has the perfect contrast of textures: zesty lemon filling, pockets of tangy cream cheese, and a buttery cake topping that’s golden and crisp around the edges. It’s bold, it’s bright, and it’s begging to be served with a spoonful of whipped cream or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Let’s dive into how to make this easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that feels like sunshine on a plate.

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🍰 What Is a Dump Cake?

Dump cakes are one of the easiest desserts you can make—and they’ve been beloved by home bakers for generations. The idea is exactly as it sounds: you dump the ingredients into the pan, layer-style, bake it, and out comes a warm, bubbly, cakey treat with minimal effort.

No bowls, mixers, or complicated steps. In this case, lemon pie filling and cream cheese take things up a notch, giving this dump cake a luscious, cheesecake-like twist beneath a golden lemon cake crust.

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🛒 Ingredients – Just 5 Essentials

You don’t need to break the bank or take a trip to a specialty store for this delicious treat. Here’s everything you need:

Ingredients:

• 1 box lemon cake mix
• 1 can (20 oz) lemon pie filling
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

That’s it. These ingredients work together to create layers of creamy, citrusy, golden goodness that taste far more impressive than the effort suggests.

💡 Pro Tip: Use full-fat cream cheese for best texture and flavor, and make sure it’s softened to avoid clumping.

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👩‍🍳 Directions – Foolproof and Fabulous

Here’s how to bring your Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake to life:

Preheat and Prep:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.

Dump the Cake Mix:

• Open your box of lemon cake mix and pour it directly into the pan. Spread it out evenly with your hands or a spoon—no need to mix.

Add Lemon Pie Filling:

• Spoon the lemon pie filling over the dry cake mix. Spread it out to cover the surface. It doesn’t need to be perfect—just aim for general evenness.

Cream Cheese Layer:

• In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
• Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese across the lemon layer. You want creamy pockets throughout the cake when it bakes.

Melted Butter Finish:

• Drizzle the melted butter over the entire pan. Try to coat as much of the surface as possible—it will help create a golden crust.

Bake to Perfection:

• Place in the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set. A toothpick should come out clean from the cakey parts.

Serve and Enjoy:

• Let the cake cool slightly before cutting.
• Serve warm or at room temperature with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream if desired.

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🕒 Quick Recipe Recap

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Bake Time: 40–45 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Servings: 12

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🍋 Why You’ll Love This Lemon Dump Cake

✅ Ultra Easy – Just 5 ingredients and no mixer required
✅ Bright & Tangy – Lemon adds a refreshing zing that keeps each bite exciting
✅ Creamy Surprise – Cream cheese creates gooey, cheesecake-like ribbons
✅ Crowd-Pleaser – Great for potlucks, holidays, showers, or casual entertaining
✅ Customizable – You can easily swap pie fillings or add berries for variety

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🌟 Variations & Add-Ins

Make this dump cake your own with these easy twists:

• Blueberry-Lemon Combo: Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries on top of the pie filling before baking.
• Coconut Crunch: Sprinkle shredded coconut over the butter layer for a tropical twist.
• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free lemon cake mix to accommodate dietary needs.
• Cream Cheese Swirl: Instead of spooning the cream cheese, mix it with a bit of powdered sugar and swirl it into the pie filling before baking.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is delicious all by itself, but you can take it to the next level with these toppings:

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream (the warm-cold combo is perfection)
• A swirl of whipped topping or homemade whipped cream
• A dusting of powdered sugar for a classy finish
• Fresh berries or a mint sprig for visual appeal

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🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Have leftovers? Here’s how to keep them delicious:

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave.
• Freezer: Wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and warm slightly before serving.
• Make Ahead: Bake the cake a day in advance and serve at room temperature or rewarm gently before serving.

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📌 Final Thoughts – A Lemon Lover’s Dream

Whether you’re a lemon dessert fanatic or just love easy bakes that taste like something from a bakery, this Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is the perfect recipe to try next. With its golden cake crust, creamy bursts of cream cheese, and vibrant lemon filling, every bite is a mix of tart, sweet, soft, and buttery.

It’s a cake that’s both comforting and refreshing, easy to prep and guaranteed to impress. Keep it in your back pocket for family dinners, last-minute guests, or when you’re simply craving something sweet and zesty.

📍 Save it. Bake it. Share it. This lemon delight is here to stay.

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