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3 Ingredient Lemon Dump Cake

This 3-ingredient lemon dump cake is an easy, delicious dessert that brings a burst of tart lemon flavor with minimal effort. Made with lemon pie filling, cake mix, and butter, you’ll have a quick treat in no time.

Three ingredient lemon dump cake with whipped cream.

Easy Lemon Dump Cake Recipe 

I love dump cakes because they are one of the easiest desserts to make. They usually only require a handful of ingredients, and there’s no mixing involved, so they’re super easy to whip up. This lemon version can be made in advance and reheated or even served at room temperature, making it the perfect treat for potlucks or family gatherings. It’s a favorite of all the lemon lovers in my life and is usually one of the first things to disappear at parties.

If you love dump cake, check out my 4 Ingredient Caramel Apple Dump Cake and my 3 Ingredient Strawberry Dump Cake.

Plate of lemon dump cake with lemon pie filling and cake mix.

Simple Ingredients

  • Lemon pie filling: Provides the tart and sweet lemon flavor that forms the base of the cake.
  • Lemon cake mix: Forms the cake layer and enhances the lemon flavor.
  • Salted butter: Melts into the cake mix to create the buttery crust on top.
Ingredients such as canned lemon pie filling, lemon cake mix, and butter.

Making the Easy Dump Cake Recipe

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Spread the filling: Evenly spread the lemon pie filling in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan.
  3. Add the topping: Sprinkle the boxed cake mix evenly over the lemon pie filling, making sure to cover it completely.
  4. Top with butter: Cut the butter into thin slices and place them evenly over the cake mix. This will melt during baking and form a buttery crust.
  5. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  6. Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving.
Collage showing four step to make and bake the cake.

Variations and substitutions

Different pie fillings: Swap the lemon pie filling for cherry, blueberry, or apple pie filling for a different flavor profile.

Cake mix flavors: Use a yellow, white, or vanilla cake mix instead of lemon for a milder taste that still complements the pie filling.

Add-ins: Stir in a cup of fresh or frozen berries, such as blueberries or raspberries, to the pie filling before adding the cake mix for extra texture and flavor.

Nuts: For a crunchy topping, add a handful of chopped nuts, like pecans or almonds, to the cake mix before baking.

Spoonful of lemon dump cake.

Tips for success

  • Distribute butter evenly: Ensure the thin pats of butter are evenly distributed over the cake mix to achieve a consistent buttery crust.
  • Do not mix: Don’t mix the cake mix with the pie filling. Just sprinkle the mix over the filling.
  • Ignore box instructions: Use the dry cake mix. Ignore any instructions on the cake mix box; just follow the recipe here.
  • Serve with something creamy: Top the cake with whipped cream, Cool Whip, or a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. The creaminess will help balance the tart dessert.
 3 ingredient lemon dump cake on a plate with whipped cream

​How to Store the Cake

Leftover lemon dump cake can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer it to an airtight container. 

The cake can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Allow the cake to cool completely before transferring to a container for storage.

Serving of lemon dump cake on a plate.

Looking for more easy lemon dessert recipes?

Check out these great lemon desserts.

Did you love this delicious lemon dump cake? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

3-Ingredient lemon dump cake topped with whipped cream.

3 Ingredient Lemon Dump Cake

Author: Mandy
This 3-ingredient lemon dump cake is a quick and easy dessert that brings a burst of citrus flavor with minimal effort. Using lemon pie filling, lemon cake mix, and butter, you’ll have a delicious treat in no time.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10 Servings
Calories 473 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 (21-ounce) cans lemon pie filling
  • 1 box lemon cake mix
  • 3/4 cup salted butter

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Evenly spread the lemon pie filling in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the lemon cake mix evenly over the top of the lemon pie filling, making sure to cover it completely.
  • Cut the butter into thin slices and place them evenly over the cake mix. This will melt during baking and form a buttery crust.
  • Bake for 35-45, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  • Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Store the cake in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil or transfer to an airtight container.
  • The cake can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Allow the cake to cool completely before transferring to a container for storage.

Nutrition

Calories: 473kcalCarbohydrates: 81gProtein: 2gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 28mgFiber: 1gSugar: 56gVitamin A: 425IUCalcium: 113mgIron: 1mg

Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.

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TerriB

Thursday 1st of August 2024

I cant find Lemon Pie Filling anywhere. It's used to be at every grocery store. In Amazon it's $10 a can! 😕

Mandy

Thursday 1st of August 2024

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that. I got mine at Walmart just a few weeks ago. Do you have a Walmart close by?

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