How One Box of Cake Mix Saved My Sunday
It was one of those weekends—laundry piled high, dinner half-planned, and dessert? Nonexistent. I opened the pantry and spotted a yellow cake mix and a can of lemon pie filling. That’s when I remembered an old church potluck recipe my aunt used to swear by: lemon dump cake.
No mixers, no layers, no stress. Just “dump” it all in and bake. And let me tell you—this lemon dump cake didn’t just save my Sunday, it stole the show. Tart lemon filling bubbling up under a golden, buttery cake topping? It was sunshine in a casserole dish.
The best part? My kids thought I’d spent hours on it. Joke’s on them.
Lemon dump cake has become our go-to when we need something fast, flavorful, and totally foolproof. It’s perfect for spring brunches, backyard cookouts, or just craving something sweet without the fuss.
If you like easy desserts that feel homemade without the hassle, you’ll love our Chai Spiced Pear Baked Oatmeal Singles—sweet, spiced, and perfect for slow mornings or quick treats.
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Lemon Dump Cake: Bright, Easy & Foolproof Citrus Dessert
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and bright lemon dump cake made with pie filling, cake mix, and butter. The easiest citrus dessert with big flavor and zero fuss.
Ingredients
1 box yellow or lemon cake mix
1 can (21 oz) lemon pie filling
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×9 inch baking dish.
2. Spread lemon pie filling evenly in dish.
3. Sprinkle dry cake mix on top—don’t stir.
4. Drizzle melted butter evenly over mix.
5. Bake 40 minutes until golden and bubbling.
6. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.
Add berries, white chocolate, or coconut for variation.
Store covered at room temp up to 2 days or refrigerate.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: lemon dump cake, easy lemon dessert, citrus baking
Ingredients & Tips for Success
What Goes Into a Lemon Dump Cake?
The magic of a lemon dump cake is that you really do just layer and bake—no stirring required. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 box yellow or lemon cake mix
- 1 can (21 oz) lemon pie filling
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- Optional: 1 cup white chocolate chips or shredded coconut for a sweet twist
Some recipes call for crushed pineapple, cream cheese, or even fresh raspberries added to the lemon layer. It’s easy to customize, but even on its own, that sweet-tart lemon filling baked into a buttery cake topping is irresistible.
Avoiding the Biggest Mistake
The biggest mistake people make with any dump cake? Stirring it. Resist the urge! You want distinct layers—fruit on the bottom, cake mix dry on top, and butter drizzled over everything. Stirring it blends the textures and makes it heavy instead of fluffy.
To get that perfectly crisp topping, pour the butter evenly over the dry cake mix so it melts into the crevices as it bakes.
For a savory balance at your potluck table, pair this lemony dessert with our Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad—it’s creamy, tangy, and a perfect contrast to this sweet citrusy finish.
Variations, Add-Ins & Serving Ideas
Add a Twist to Your Lemon Dump Cake
One of the best things about a lemon dump cake is how easy it is to customize. That bright lemon flavor pairs beautifully with so many other ingredients. Here are a few of our favorite add-ins:
- Fresh raspberries or blueberries: Sprinkle on top of the lemon pie filling for a fruity pop.
- White chocolate chips: Adds sweet creaminess that balances the tartness.
- Shredded coconut: Gives it a tropical, chewy twist.
- Cream cheese dollops: For a cheesecake-like surprise in every bite.
You can even try using sour cream mixed into the cake mix for added moisture and tang. It won’t ruin the dump cake effect—it just makes the cake layer extra rich and soft. That’s a little tip I picked up from a friend who swears by it.
How to Serve It Up Right
This dessert is best served warm, straight from the oven. The top should be golden and crisp, and the lemon filling will be bubbling up along the edges.
Top your lemon dump cake with:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Powdered sugar dusting
And if you’re bringing it to a picnic or brunch, pair it with something hearty like our Corn and Tomato Salad—the sweetness of the cake balances beautifully with fresh summer sides.
What Makes a Dump Cake Different from a Cobbler?
Dump cakes often get confused with cobblers, and while they’re both warm, fruity desserts topped with something cakey, they’re definitely not the same.
A lemon dump cake uses a boxed cake mix that’s poured dry over fruit filling—no mixing, no crust, no dough. It’s all about layers that bake into each other for a golden, buttery topping with minimal prep.
Cobblers, on the other hand, usually involve a homemade batter or biscuit-style dough spooned over the fruit. The topping is thicker, breadier, and doesn’t have the same crumbly cake texture that dump cakes are known for.
The beauty of a lemon dump cake is how easy it is. You don’t need to chill dough, make a crust, or worry about spreading anything evenly. Just layer, bake, and enjoy.
If you’re a fan of low-effort, high-reward recipes, you’ll also love our Warm Butternut Squash Farro Salad. Like this dessert, it’s cozy, easy to make, and full of satisfying flavor.
FAQs About Lemon Dump Cake
What is the biggest mistake to avoid when making a dump cake?
The biggest mistake? Stirring the layers. A dump cake works because the ingredients stay separate—fruit on the bottom, dry cake mix on top, and melted butter over everything. Stirring blends them too much and ruins the signature texture.
What does adding sour cream to a box cake mix do?
Sour cream makes the cake layer more moist and rich without making it heavy. If you like your lemon dump cake extra tender, mix ½ cup of sour cream into the cake mix before baking.
What goes in a dump cake?
At its simplest: a can of pie filling, a box of dry cake mix, and melted butter. For a lemon dump cake, you’ll use lemon pie filling, yellow or lemon cake mix, and butter. You can also toss in extras like berries, white chocolate chips, or shredded coconut.
What’s the difference between a dump cake and a cobbler?
A cobbler uses a homemade batter or biscuit dough spooned over fruit, while a dump cake uses a dry cake mix layered with fruit and butter. Cobblers are doughier and more rustic; dump cakes are lighter and crumbly on top.
Conclusion
Lemon dump cake is one of those desserts that never lets you down. It’s quick to prep, simple to bake, and absolutely bursting with sunshiney citrus flavor. Whether you serve it at a summer cookout or need a weeknight dessert in a hurry, this recipe delivers every time.
It’s sweet, bright, buttery, and best of all—it’s foolproof.
If you’re into feel-good desserts made for real life, be sure to follow me on Pinterest @RecipesFaza for more cozy, no-fuss favorites.
