Easy Lemon Dump Cake Recipe (2024)

4.67 from 9 votes

By Kristy Richardson on March 7, 2024 | Updated March 26, 2024 | Rate Recipe

*This post may contain affiliate links. See ouraffiliate policy here.

Sweet and tangy, this easy lemon dump cake is rich and creamy with a buttery crust. You’ll love how easy it is to throw together, and your family and friends will love the rich lemony flavor.

Table of Contents

Why We Love Lemon Dump Cake

Easy Peasy To Make – Beginners can easily make this recipe and end with a dessert that will impress your family and friends! This recipe includes minimal mixing, and is almost completely dump, layer and bake! The cream layer is totally worth the extra two minutes of mixing involved.
Perfect For Lemon Fans – Those of us who are lemon fans usually CAN not resist a good lemon dessert. This delicious layered lemon dessert is perfect to satisfy that sweet and slightly tart lemon flavored cravings.
Makes A Great Spring Or Summer Treat – Perfect for parties, potlucks, BBQ’s and even Easter! This easy dessert with 6 simple ingredients brings a bite of sunshine, similar to making lemon bars but upside down.

Ingredients For Lemon Dump Cake

21ounceslemon pie fillingthis is a canned lemon pie filling
8ounceswhipped cream cheese
6tablespoonswhite sugar
2largeeggs
13.25ouncesyellow cake mixdry, can also use a 15.25 ounce boxed cake mix, just the dry cake mix. You don’t need to include the ingredients listed on the box for making the cake.
½cupbuttersalted
whipped cream – optional for serving, can also use whipped topping like Cool Whip.

How To Make This Easy Lemon Dump Cake Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with oil.
Spread the lemon pie filling over bottom of the pan evenly with a spoon.

In a medium bowl add cream cheese, sugar and eggs. Mix well until smooth.
Pour cream cheese mixture over lemon pie filling and spread evenly.

Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the cream cheese mixture in the pan. Gently break apart any large chunks of cake mix that may have clumped in the box.

Slice the butter into thin pieces and place evenly across the top of the cake mix.

Place the pan in the oven. Bake for 45 minutes, until the top is lightly browned.

Let the lemon dump cake rest for about 10 minutes. Scoop and serve with optional whipped cream and enjoy!

Lemon Dump Cake Variations And FAQ

Are Lemon Pie Filling And Lemon Curd The Same?

Lemon pie filling is generally thickened with flour, and has a milder lemon filling. Lemon curd usually has a stronger lemon flavor and is thickened by cooking down eggs and sugar. Because they have slightly different ingredients, the texture is only slightly different between the two.

Can I Use Lemon Curd Instead Of Lemon Pie Filling?

Yes you can use lemon curd instead of lemon pie filling cup for cup. Be prepared for the lemon flavor to be stronger if you use lemon curd. Depending on the lemon curd you use the lemon layer may also be a little more tart. This should still work out ok though in most cases because we add a cream layer to the dump cake which will help balance the sweetness.

Can I Use Other Flavors Of Cake Mix Like Vanilla Or Lemon?

Yes you can use other flavors of cake mix. I recommend using white cake mix, french vanilla cake mix, or another cake mix that is mostly butter or vanilla flavored. Other fruit flavors like strawberry could be fun. You can use a lemon cake mix but be prepared for the recipe to be extra lemony if you do! I don’t recommend flavors like chocolate or spice cake.

What Do You Serve Lemon Dump Cake With?

I usually like to top this dump cake with either whipped cream or a whipped topping like Cool Whip. This gives the dessert a similar flavor to a lemon merguine pie.

You can also top lemon dump cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Do You Make This Lemon Dump Cake Warm Or Cold?

I actually prefer this dessert chilled, but you can enjoy it warm or cold when you serve it.

Can You Freeze Lemon Dump Cake?

Yes you can place this lemon dump cake in a freezer safe covered container. Expect this lemon dessert will taste best if enjoyed within about a month.

How Long Will This Easy Lemon Dump Cake Recipe Last?

Expect this dump cake will taste its best if eaten within 3-4 days. Store leftovers in the refrigerator in a covered container.

More Easy Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

Easy Peach Dump Cake
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Easy Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake (With Cake Mix)
Fresh Strawberry Cobbler

Lemon Dump Cake

Author Kristy Richardson

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Ingredients

▢ 21 ounces lemon pie filling canned
▢ 8 ounces whipped cream cheese
▢ 6 tablespoons white sugar
▢ 2 large eggs
▢ 13.25 ounces yellow cake mix dry, can also use a 15.25 ounce cake mix
▢ ½ cup butter salted
▢ whipped cream optional, for serving, can also use Cool Whip

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a 9×13 pan with oil.
Spread lemon pie filling over bottom of the pan evenly with a spoon.
In a medium bowl add cream cheese, sugar and eggs. Mix well until smooth.
Pour cream cheese mixture over lemon pie filling and spread evenly.
Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the cream cheese mixture in the pan. Gently break apart any large chunks of cake mix that may have clumped in the box.
Slice the butter into thin pieces and place evenly across the cake mix.
Place the pan in the oven. Bake for 45 minutes, until the top is lightly browned.
Let the lemon dump cake rest for about 10 minutes. Scoop and serve with optional whipped cream and enjoy!

Notes

Many of the boxed cake mix companies have decreased the size of the boxed cake mixes from 15.25 to 13.25 ounces. While not every recipe can use the two sizes interchangeably, for this recipe you can use either size cake mix.

You don’t need to include the ingredients listed on the box for making the cake.

Regular cream cheese can be swapped for whipped cream cheese, but then an electric mixer if needed. If using regular cream cheese cut the cream cheese into pieces then allow it to sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes. Then with an electric mixer whip the cream cheese in a mixing bowl until smooth. This whipped cream cheese can then be mixed with the eggs and sugar, and added to the pan.

Nutrition

Did You Make This?

I would love to see it! Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!

Created by Kristy Richardson

HI There, I'm Kristy Here you will find ideas for helping kids have fun with food, recipes both kids and parents love, great tips and a little bit of humor. I hope you find an idea your family loves.