1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or spray with nonstick spray.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Layer
In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth.
Spread evenly in the bottom of the baking dish.
3. Assemble the Dump Cake
Sprinkle the dry lemon cake mix evenly over the cream cheese layer.
Pour melted butter evenly over the cake mix (do not stir!).
Slowly drizzle 1 cup water over the top (again, no stirring).
4. Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden and the edges are bubbly.
Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
5. Serve & Enjoy!
Dust with powdered sugar, add fresh berries, or top with whipped cream.
Best served warm—the gooey cream cheese layer is irresistible!
Pro Tips for the Best Dump Cake
🍋 Use Room-Temperature Cream Cheese – Ensures a smooth, lump-free layer.
🍋 Don’t Overmix – The magic of dump cake is in the layers forming naturally.
🍋 Check for Doneness – The top should be crisp, and the center slightly jiggly.
🍋 Make It Extra Lemony – Add an extra tbsp of lemon zest for more zing!
Variations & Add-Ins
🔸 Blueberry Lemon – Add 1 cup fresh blueberries over the cream cheese layer.
🔸 Raspberry Swirl – Swirl in 1/2 cup raspberry jam before baking.
🔸 Coconut Lime – Use lime instead of lemon and top with toasted coconut.
🔸 Gluten-Free – Swap in a gluten-free lemon cake mix.
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Ad Revenue
💰 High-Search Keywords: "Easy lemon dump cake," "cream cheese dessert recipes," "5-minute desserts."
💰 Engagement Boost: Simple recipes keep readers scrolling.
💰 Pinterest & Google Traffic: Visually appealing desserts perform well.
💰 Affiliate Potential: Link to baking dishes, cake mixes, or kitchen tools.
Serving Suggestions
☀️ Summer BBQs – Pair with grilled fruit or ice cream.
🎉 Potlucks – Transport easily and serve straight from the dish.
🍵 Brunch – A sweet twist on coffee cake.
🍦 À La Mode – Top with vanilla ice cream for extra decadence.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is the ultimate easy dessert hack—minimal effort, maximum flavor! Whether you're a baking pro or a beginner, this recipe guarantees a moist, tangy, buttery dessert that everyone will love.
Want more dump cake magic? Save this recipe and follow for more high-RPM dessert content! 🍋✨