Lemon Cake is one of the easiest dessert recipes you will ever make. With just 4 simple ingredients, create a deliciously sweet and tangy lemon dessert your guests will love.
This easy recipe requires just a handful of ingredients, including lemon curd (or lemon pie filling), cream cheese, lemon cake mix, and butter.
Enjoy a tangy treat with your favorite cup of tea or coffee today.
Why This Lemon Dump Cake Recipe Works
EASY - Forget complicated baking recipes - this one is so easy you'll be able to whip it up in no time.
KID-FRIENDLY - This is a great recipe that teaches kids the fundamentals of baking and how to follow a simple recipe.
PARTIES & POTLUCKS - If you are looking for an easy-to-execute recipe you can throw or bring to a party or potluck, this recipe fits the bill.
Ingredients
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
LEMON CURD - I have had a much easier time finding lemon curd in the supermarket than lemon pie filling. But you can also use lemon pie filling. After trying both, I have a slight preference for lemon curd. The consistency is thick like honey and has these beautiful sweet and tart notes that make it irresistible. Especially when served warm.
CREAM CHEESE - Adding a single layer of cream cheese adds texture and technically makes this a 'lemon cream cheese dump cake'. 😉
I recommend whipped cream cheese. You can use regular cream cheese, but I find whipped cream cheese is easier to use.
BUTTER - As always, I recommend unsalted butter. There's already salt in the cake mix. But this is one of the recipes where it matters a little less, and if all you got is salted butter, you can definitely still make this recipe without a problem.
CAKE MIX - To me, a Lemon Dump Cake requires a lemon cake mix. I love the lemon-on-lemon flavor. But if the intense lemon flavor is too much for your liking, choose another sweeter dry cake mix such as yellow cake mix or white cake mix.
PRO TIP - If you want to boost the lemon flavor even more, zest one lemon and mix the lemon zest into the cake mix.
How To Make Lemon Dump Cake
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- DUMP - Spread the lemon curd into a square baking dish in an even layer.
- TOP - Make dollops of whipped cream cheese and top the lemon curd.
- MELT & MIX - Melt one stick of butter. Combine the melted butter and lemon cake mix until crumbly.
- DUMP - Spread crumbly cake mix over the lemon curd cream cheese.
- BAKE - Place the Lemon Dump Cake in the oven and bake at 350º Fahrenheit for 45 minutes.
More Easy Dump Cake Recipes
Serving Ideas
You can't go wrong with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you don't have any ice cream, try a dollop of whipped cream or cool whip.
If you want to be adventurous, sprinkle a teeny, tiny bit of salt over the whipped cream.
PRO TIP - One of my favorite ways to serve dump cakes is to transfer them into mini mason jars. You can find these jars are larger supermarkets or order them online. Transferring them into mason jars makes it easy to travel and turn a dump cake into a great party or potluck option. Plus, it's a great way to exercise simple portion control.
Leftovers
STORE - Leave the dump cake in the glass baking dish and cover it with a lid if you use this baking dish, or cover it with cling wrap. Alternatively, use my mason jar tip, or transfer the leftovers into an airtight container.
Store the leftover lemon dump cake in the fridge for up to 7 days.
FREEZE - Yes, you can freeze a dump cake! Make sure the cake has cooled completely. Place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
GERMAN STRAWBERRY TORTE - made with fresh strawberries and a layer of pudding mix. Easy and so refreshing.
PINEAPPLE DUMP CAKE - sweet and tangy pineapples are topped with a buttery, moist yellow cake crumb mixture.
BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE - one of my best breakfast cake recipes
GERMAN BUTTERKUCHEN - this rich, ooey-gooey yeast cake is made lot s of butter
EASY BEE STING BAKE - a light, airy sponge cake with a delicious cream filling and sugary almond topping.
Did you try our recipe?
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Lemon Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 12 ounces lemon curd
- 8 ounces whipped cream cheese
- 15.25 ounces lemon cake mix 1 box
- 1 stick unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º Fahrenheit. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Pour the lemon curd into the baking dish. Add dollops of cream cheese on top of the lemon curd.
- Melt butter. Add the lemon cake mix into a medium bowl. Pour the melted butter into the same bowl. Use a fork to mix until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Sprinkle the crumb topping over the lemon curd and cream cheese. Bake at 350º Fahrenheit for 45 minutes.
dina and bruce miller
I love lemon cake, and can't believe this is only 4 ingredients. Love the idea for mason jars! Can not wait to make this once our kitchen remodel is finished!!
Thank you!
Shadi Hasanzade
My niece is going to love this, so easy! Thank you!
Kim
This looks like something I'd really enjoy making with my 12-year-old daughter. I may also send the recipe into her teacher for Culinary Club.