Description
Tangy Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is a bright, buttery Southern-inspired dessert that’s equal parts creamy cheesecake and zesty lemon cake. Made with simple pantry ingredients like lemon pie filling, cream cheese, and boxed yellow cake mix, this easy dump cake comes together in minutes for a gooey, golden, and irresistibly tangy treat. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or weeknight desserts!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 (21 oz) can lemon pie filling or lemon curd
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make the cream cheese mixture: In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the layers: Spread the lemon pie filling evenly across the baking dish. Add spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture over the top. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly across the surface without stirring. Drizzle melted butter evenly over the top, covering as much dry mix as possible.
- Bake: Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling. The buttery crust will form on top while the inside remains creamy.
- Cool and serve: Let cool for 15 minutes before serving warm. Dust with powdered sugar or top with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
- Use cold cream cheese for a layered effect or room-temperature for a smoother mix.
- Ensure the butter completely covers the cake mix for a perfect golden crust.
- Don’t stir the layers—the magic happens during baking.
- Add lemon zest for extra tang and brightness.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Southern Recipes, Easy Baking
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake, Lemon Dump Cake, Southern Lemon Dessert, Cream Cheese Lemon Cake, Easy Dump Cake, Lemon Pie Filling Dessert, Yellow Cake Mix Recipes, Quick Southern Dessert