Lemon Dump Cake (Recipe with Only 4 Ingredients)
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Lemon Dump Cake is an absolute flavor bonanza. This easy-to-make dump cake recipe is perfectly sweet, bursting with bright lemony freshness, and infused with lavish, velvety cream cheese. With four simple ingredients, you can have this mouthwatering lemon dump cake recipe ready in only one hour!
Calling all lemon lovers! This easy dump cake recipe will be one of your new favorite lemon desserts to whip up!
It’s a quick dessert, loaded with tart lemon flavor, and a great way to kick off the flavors of summer.
I’ve been making this delicious lemon dump cake recipe for years – for good reason! When my sweet tooth starts talking,
I know that I can make this good dump cake in just a little bit of time. That means that I’ll be having more of that tangy lemon flavor within the hour!
How cool is it that you literally create this lemon cream cheese dump cake by actually just dumping in the ingredients?
I’ve been a fan of dump cakes for a long time, as I typically make a pumpkin dump cake in the fall and a strawberry dump cake during summer as well.
You can even go crazy with the flavors and combine a couple to create a cherry pineapple dump cake!
The first time that you make this easy lemon dump cake recipe, be ready. You’re going to crave more tangy lemon flavor and want to eat the whole thing.
Luckily this tart dessert creates the perfect treat in terms of size and flavor, so you’ll be able to fill your belly for a few days with this new family favorite easy recipe.
When it comes to easy lemon dessert recipes, this is one of the best! I love this simple cake, and I know you will, too.
Grab the handful of ingredients listed on the recipe card below to get started.
LEMON DUMP CAKE
Lemon dump cake is the perfect combination of tartness, sweetness, and creaminess.
It gets the name “dump cake” because all of the ingredients get “dumped” into the baking pan.
With minimal ingredients and minimal effort, you can achieve maximum flavor with this divinely delicious dump cake recipe.
After falling in love with this easy dessert, you won’t be able to get enough! Don’t worry — I’ve got flavors ranging from strawberry and blueberry to chocolatey Oreo.
INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Lemon Pie Filling – Canned lemon pie filling is the easiest, most convenient option for lemon dump cake.
Although, if you are feeling ambitious, feel free to replace the pie filling with my homemade curd! - Boxed Cake Mix – This dump cake recipe calls for yellow cake mix, but feel free to swap that out for white cake mix, lemon, vanilla, or French vanilla.
- Cream Cheese – Making lemon dump cake with cream cheese adds a scrumptious, satiny smoothness that also mellows out the sourness of the lemon.
You can omit it if desired, but I definitely recommend keeping it in.
Choose block cream cheese rather than whipped, and don’t worry about bringing it to room temperature. It is perfectly okay to slice and use it cold for this recipe. - Butter – A lot of recipes suggest using ¾ cup of butter.
However, I have discovered that increasing that amount to 1 cup makes lemon dump cake even more delectably decadent.
BEST DUMP CAKE RECIPE TIPS AND TRICKS
- Avoid dry pockets of cake mix. Give the pan a nice shake after you have sprinkled the cake mix on top.
This will help to evenly distribute it so every bit bakes up nicely. - Melt the butter. Many dump cake recipes suggest adding sliced butter on top.
After many experiments, I’ve found that melted butter gets more evenly cooked results.
Simply melt the butter and drizzle it evenly over the whole cake. - Distribute cake mix evenly. It may help to use a small measuring cup or a spoon to help accomplish this.
- Make it gluten-free. You can easily make this lemon dump cake recipe gluten-free by choosing a gluten-free cake mix and ensuring your lemon pie filling is also GF.
STORING AND REHEATING DUMP CAKE
Lemon dump cake can be made ahead of time and stays fresh for up to 4 days.
Store any leftovers at room temperature for the first day. After that, cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Allow the dessert to come to room temperature again before serving.
Either let it sit on the counter for about an hour, or pop individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds if you prefer it warm.
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
This lemon dump cake requires only the simplest of ingredients and equipment. In addition to the 4 basic ingredients, gather the following items and you’ll be ready to rock.
- 9X13″ Baking Pan to bake the cake.
- A Saucepan, Ramekin, or Bowl for melting the butter.
- Cups and spoons for measuring.
- A nonstick cooking spray.
- A serving utensil like this Spatula for spreading the lemony love.
LEMON DUMP CAKE FAQ
I recommend serving lemon dump cake warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. That said, it is also just as delicious served cold or at room temperature.
Your lemon dump cake is done when you see the pie filling becoming hot and bubbly while the crust on top turns a toasty golden brown.
Both cobbler and dump cakes include a sweet fruity filling, but they each have a unique crust.
This dump cake recipe, and others like it, rely on boxed cake mix for the topping. Instead, cobbler is topped with a homemade biscuit or pie-like crust.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Dump Cake Recipes
Lemon Dump Cake (Recipe with Only 4 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 2 21 ounce cans lemon pie filling
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 8 ounce block cream cheese, sliced into small squares
- 1 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9×13 pan with a light coating of cooking spray.
- Spread the lemon pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Carefully distribute half of the cake mix over the lemon filling in an even layer.
- Place the sliced cream cheese evenly over the cake mix.
- Top the cream cheese with the remaining cake mix.
- Pour the melted butter evenly over the cake mix.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published June 2023, updated an republished July 2024
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I have a similar recipe that I use lemon pudding and pie filling from the box. I would really like to make this with cherry.
Cherry dump cake is delicious especially mixed with drained, crushed pineapple.
I always love lemon, and this dump cake is bursting with lemon flavor. A staple for summer!
My cream cheese didn’t melt.. is it suppose too???
If I cut the recipe in half (6 servings), is the baking time the same?
Oh my, this Lemon Dump Cake recipe from The Slow Roasted Italian is an absolute winner! So easy to make and unbelievably delicious. Donna and Chad really know how to create magic in the kitchen!
Hi Evelyn!
We’re so glad you enjoyed!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
Donna’s lemon dump cake recipe was a breeze to make! I added a splash of vanilla extract for extra flavor, and it turned out amazing.
Made this Lemon Dump Cake for a family gathering and it was a hit! Everyone couldn’t get enough of it.
Hi Zoey!
Glad you enjoyed!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn