4 Ingredients Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe

Easy 4 Ingredients Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe

Dessert lovers rejoice as this insanely simple lemon cream cheese dump cake brings pure magic to your table.

Sweet simplicity meets tangy brilliance in this effortless recipe.

A single pan creates layers of creamy, citrusy delight that dance across your taste buds.

Each ingredient drops into the baking dish with minimal effort, promising maximum flavor.

The bright lemon notes complement the rich cream cheese perfectly.

Texture and taste combine in a dessert that feels like a warm hug from your favorite bakery.

Why This Lemon Dump Cake Is So Bright and Creamy

  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: This lemon cream cheese dump cake offers a tangy and creamy flavor combination that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual dessert nights.
  • Minimal Cleanup Delight: Experience the joy of a scrumptious dessert without the hassle of multiple mixing bowls and complicated steps – simply dump, layer, and bake for a stress-free baking experience that leaves you with more time to enjoy.
  • Texture Sensation: Indulge in the perfect balance of soft, creamy cream cheese, zesty lemon pie filling, and crispy golden cake top that creates a mouthwatering contrast of flavors and textures in every single bite.

Just Four Ingredients for This Easy Lemon Dessert

Main Ingredients:
  • Yellow Cake Mix: A versatile base that brings sweetness and structure to the dessert.
  • Lemon Pie Filling: A tangy and smooth filling that adds bright citrus flavor.
  • Cream Cheese: A creamy ingredient that provides rich texture and richness.
  • Butter: A golden ingredient that helps create a deliciously moist cake.
Baking Essentials:
  • Non-Stick Spray or Butter: A helpful coating that prevents the cake from sticking to the pan.
Optional Garnish:
  • Powdered Sugar, Whipped Cream: Sweet toppings that enhance the cake's presentation and taste.

Steps to Make a Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C).

Get ready for some serious baking magic.

Step 2: Prep the Baking Vessel

Grab a square baking dish and give it a quick spritz of non-stick spray or a generous butter massage to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 3: Spread the Citrusy Base

Unleash the bright, tangy lemon pie filling across the bottom of your prepared dish.

Make sure it’s an even, sunshine-like layer that covers every corner.

Step 4: Create the First Cake Mix Layer

Shower the lemon filling with half of your yellow cake mix like you’re sprinkling culinary confetti.

Then artfully scatter cream cheese cubes across this layer.

Ingredients for this step:
  • Yellow cake mix
  • Cream cheese

Step 5: Top With Remaining Cake Mix

Blanket the cream cheese with the rest of the cake mix, creating a beautiful landscape of potential deliciousness.

Step 6: Butter It Up

Dot the top with thinly sliced butter, creating little pockets of rich, melty goodness.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide your creation into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes.

You’re looking for a gorgeous golden-brown top and a toothpick that comes out clean when inserted.

Step 8: Cool and Devour

Let the cake rest and cool for 15-20 minutes.

This allows the flavors to mingle and the texture to set.

Serve warm or at room temperature and prepare for taste bud happiness.

Tips for Tangy, Creamy Lemon Cake Success

  • Enhance the lemon taste by adding fresh lemon zest directly into the cream cheese for an extra citrusy punch.
  • Ensure your baking dish is well-greased to help the cake mix crisp up and prevent sticking or moisture buildup.
  • Swap regular yellow cake mix with a gluten-free alternative to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
  • Reduce sugar content by using a reduced-sugar lemon pie filling or selecting a less sweet cake mix for a more balanced dessert.
  • Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar or top with whipped cream to elevate the presentation and add an elegant touch.

How to Store and Serve Lemon Dump Cake Later

  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent drying out.
  • Warm individual slices for 15-20 seconds on medium power. Check temperature to avoid overheating and maintain soft texture.
  • Warm entire cake at 250°F for 10-15 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent edges from becoming too crispy or burning.
  • Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

What Tastes Great With Lemon Cream Cheese Cake

  • Zesty Citrus Cocktail Companion: Craft a bright, refreshing limoncello spritzer to complement the cake's tangy lemon profile, balancing the dessert's rich cream cheese base with crisp, effervescent notes.
  • Creamy Contrast Pairing: Select a smooth vanilla bean gelato or light mascarpone cream to serve alongside, creating a cool, silky counterpoint to the warm, buttery cake texture.
  • Palate-Cleansing Tea Option: Brew a delicate Earl Grey or light chamomile tea, which will cut through the cake's richness while enhancing its subtle lemon undertones with a gentle, aromatic finish.
  • Nutty Garnish Accent: Sprinkle toasted almond slivers or candied lemon zest on top of the cake, adding a subtle crunch and heightening the dessert's citrusy brightness with unexpected textural complexity.

Lemon Cake Styles and Flavor Adjustments to Try

  • Gluten-Free Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake: Swap regular yellow cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy this dessert.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Replace cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese and use vegan butter to create a lactose-free version of the dump cake.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free lemon pie filling and a low-sugar cake mix to reduce overall sweetness and calorie content for health-conscious bakers.
  • Vegan Transformation: Utilize plant-based cream cheese, egg-free cake mix, and coconut oil instead of butter to craft a completely vegan-friendly dessert that maintains the cake's signature tangy and creamy profile.

FAQs

  • Can I use a different type of cake mix?

Yes, white or lemon cake mix works great as alternatives to yellow cake mix. Just ensure the quantity remains the same.

  • Is this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?

Not automatically. You’ll need to use a gluten-free cake mix and verify all ingredient labels to make it gluten-free friendly.

  • What if I don't have cream cheese cubes?

You can substitute with softened cream cheese spread evenly across the layer. Just ensure it’s at room temperature for easier spreading.

  • How do I know when the dump cake is fully baked?

Look for a golden brown top and a toothpick inserted in the center coming out clean. This typically takes 35-40 minutes in a 350°F oven.

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4 Ingredients Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe

4 Ingredients Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Indulgent lemon cream cheese dump cake brings zesty sunshine to dessert tables with minimal effort. Quick and easy preparation guarantees a delightful treat that will have you craving another slice in moments.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 16 ounces (454 grams) can lemon pie filling
  • 1 15 ounces (425 grams) package yellow cake mix

Primary Dairy Components:

  • 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, cubed
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113 grams) unsalted butter, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F, creating a warm culinary canvas for the lemon cream cheese dessert.
  2. Select a square baking dish and generously coat its interior with non-stick spray or butter to prevent potential sticking.
  3. Gently spread the vibrant lemon pie filling across the bottom of the prepared dish, ensuring an even, smooth foundation.
  4. Distribute the first half of the yellow cake mix as a delicate blanket over the lemon layer, creating initial texture and depth.
  5. Strategically place cream cheese cubes across the cake mix, allowing them to nestle into the powdery surface and promise pockets of creamy richness.
  6. Shower the remaining cake mix over the cream cheese, creating a second protective layer that will transform during baking.
  7. Artfully arrange thin butter slices across the top, ensuring complete coverage and promising a golden, crisp exterior.
  8. Transfer the assembled dessert into the preheated oven, allowing 35-40 minutes of transformative heat to meld the ingredients into a harmonious treat.
  9. Verify doneness by observing a golden-brown surface and testing the center with a toothpick that emerges clean and dry.
  10. Remove from oven and allow a brief cooling period of 15-20 minutes, permitting the layers to settle and flavors to integrate before serving.

Notes

  • Customize the dessert by experimenting with different pie filling flavors like raspberry or blueberry for a unique twist.
  • Achieve a perfectly moist texture by ensuring cream cheese is softened at room temperature before cubing and distributing.
  • Make this recipe gluten-free by substituting yellow cake mix with a gluten-free alternative and checking pie filling ingredients.
  • Enhance serving options by topping with whipped cream, powdered sugar, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 307
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 353 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 36 mg
James Hambly

James Hambly

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development, Culinary Education, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Southern Cuisine

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in professional cooking techniques, emphasizing farm-to-table practices and Southern cuisine.

The Chef’s Academy
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive culinary education covering global cuisines, kitchen management, and food safety.​


James grew up surrounded by the smells of cast-iron skillets and slow-cooked Southern meals in Asheville, North Carolina.
He sharpened his skills with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, and later leveled up with an Associate Degree from The Chef’s Academy.
James’s philosophy is simple: the best meals don’t need fancy tricks, just fresh ingredients, a hot pan, and a little bit of heart. His favorite days are spent testing one-pan wonders, chasing bold flavors, and creating recipes that feel easy, even on a busy night.

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