Name: 4-Ingredient Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box lemon cake mix; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 1 cup powdered sugar

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This effortlessly simple lemon cream cheese dump cake brings together bright citrus flavor with creamy richness in one delicious, fuss-free dessert that requires just minutes of prep work before the oven does all the magic.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This lemon cream cheese dump cake is the ultimate stress-free dessert that delivers impressive results with minimal effort. The beauty lies in its simplicity – just four ingredients layered together create a dessert with distinct textures and complementary flavors. The bottom layer forms a creamy, cheesecake-like base while the top becomes a golden, slightly crisp crust with a tender cake center. It’s perfect for last-minute entertaining, potlucks, or when you need a cheerful dessert without spending hours in the kitchen. The bright lemon flavor makes it an ideal choice for spring and summer gatherings, though its comfort-food quality makes it welcome year-round.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Lemon cake mix forms the foundation of this dump cake, providing both structure and bright citrus flavor without requiring you to measure multiple dry ingredients. The mix contains all the essential dry ingredients already perfectly proportioned, making this recipe truly foolproof. Any brand works well here, though ones with lemon zest or bits will add extra flavor dimension.

Cream cheese creates a rich, tangy bottom layer that balances the sweetness of the cake. As it bakes, it transforms into a creamy, cheesecake-like texture that complements the cakey top layer beautifully. Make sure it’s properly softened to room temperature for easy spreading across the baking dish.

Butter is the magic ingredient that activates the cake mix without additional liquid, allowing the top to bake into a golden, slightly crisp crust while keeping the center moist and tender. The melted butter also adds richness throughout the entire dessert.

Powdered sugar adds sweetness and creates a light glaze-like quality on top as it bakes. Unlike granulated sugar, its fine texture melts seamlessly into the other ingredients, distributing sweetness evenly throughout the cake and helping to create that characteristic crackly top.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Spread cream cheese evenly in the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Pour the dry cake mix over the cream cheese.
Drizzle melted butter over the top and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 6 generous servings, making it perfect for a family dessert or small gathering. The prep work takes just 5 minutes, followed by 35 minutes of baking time, for a total time of 40 minutes from start to finish. Each serving contains approximately 320 calories, making it a relatively moderate dessert option that still feels indulgent.

Variations

Flavor Variations: Try different cake mix flavors like strawberry, orange, or vanilla for unique flavor combinations with the cream cheese base.

Fruit Addition: Add a layer of fresh berries or canned pie filling between the cream cheese and cake mix for added dimension and freshness.

Crunchy Topping: Incorporate chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts with the powdered sugar for added texture and nutty flavor.

Chocolate Lover’s Version: Use chocolate cake mix and add chocolate chips on top for a decadent chocolate cream cheese cake.

Spiced Version: For fall, try a spice cake mix with a teaspoon of cinnamon mixed into the powdered sugar topping.

Citrus Boost: Add a tablespoon of lemon zest to the cream cheese layer for enhanced citrus flavor.

Glaze Finish: Drizzle with a simple lemon glaze after baking for extra sweetness and citrus punch.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: Store leftover dump cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cream cheese layer means this dessert should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Freezing: This cake freezes well for up to 3 months. Cut into individual portions, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and place in a freezer bag. Label with the date before freezing.

Thawing: Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator for best texture.

Reheating: Gently warm refrigerated portions in the microwave for 20-30 seconds for a more cake-like texture, or enjoy cold for a more cheesecake-like experience.

Room Temperature Serving: For the best flavor, remove from the refrigerator about 15-20 minutes before serving to take the chill off.

FAQs

Can I use reduced-fat cream cheese in this recipe?

Yes, you can use reduced-fat (Neufchâtel) cream cheese as a substitute for full-fat cream cheese. The texture may be slightly less rich, but the difference is minimal in the baked result. However, avoid using fat-free cream cheese as it contains stabilizers that may not bake properly.

Why is my dump cake dry on top?

If your dump cake seems dry on top, it’s likely that the butter wasn’t distributed evenly enough. Make sure to drizzle the melted butter to cover as much of the dry cake mix as possible. You can also try using an additional 2 tablespoons of butter if you find it consistently comes out dry.

Can I make this dump cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! This cake can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. In fact, many people find the flavors meld better after it’s had time to rest, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for gatherings.

What if I don’t have a 9×13 baking dish?

If you don’t have a 9×13 dish, you can use two 8×8 square pans or a similar-sized baking dish with the same depth. Adjust baking time slightly (start checking about 5 minutes earlier) as the cake may be thinner and cook faster.

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Yes! This recipe works beautifully with any flavor cake mix. Try vanilla, strawberry, orange, or even chocolate for different variations. Each will create its own unique flavor profile with the cream cheese base.

Does this cake need to be refrigerated?

Yes, because of the cream cheese component, this cake should be refrigerated after it has cooled completely. It should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours due to food safety concerns.

My cake mix doesn’t look fully “wet” before baking. Is that normal?

Yes, it’s normal for some of the cake mix to still look dry before baking. The magic of a dump cake is that the butter will melt and combine with the cake mix during baking, creating a properly textured cake layer. Resist the urge to mix the ingredients together.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can double the recipe and bake it in two separate 9×13 pans. However, it’s not recommended to bake a double batch in a single larger pan as it may not cook evenly.

How do I know when the dump cake is done baking?

The cake is done when the top is golden brown and appears set. You may see some bubbling around the edges from the cream cheese layer. The center should not look wet or jiggly, but a toothpick test isn’t reliable for this type of cake due to its creamy bottom layer.

Can I add lemon juice or zest to enhance the lemon flavor?

Absolutely! For a stronger lemon flavor, add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the cream cheese layer, or mix 1-2 teaspoons of lemon extract into the cream cheese before spreading it in the pan. You can also drizzle a simple lemon glaze over the cooled cake.

Conclusion

This 4-Ingredient Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake exemplifies dessert simplicity at its finest. With just minutes of hands-on preparation and everyday ingredients, you can create a dessert that balances tangy cream cheese with sweet, lemony cake in perfect harmony. The contrasting textures—creamy bottom and tender-crisp top—make each bite interesting and satisfying. Whether you’re preparing for unexpected company, need a quick potluck contribution, or simply want to treat yourself without spending hours in the kitchen, this recipe delivers impressive results with minimal effort. The versatility of the base recipe also means you can adapt it to different seasons and preferences with simple variations. Keep these four ingredients on hand, and you’ll always be ready to whip up a crowd-pleasing dessert at a moment’s notice.