This easy and delicious Lemon Cherry Dump Cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion. Watch the video tutorial and get the full recipe here.
Hey there, my sweet friends! Today I’m excited to share one of my favorite go-to desserts: Lemon Cherry Dump Cake. Now, I know what you might be thinking, “Dump cake? Really?” But trust me, this isn’t just any dump cake. This is the kind of dessert that makes people go “Mmm!” with their eyes closed and then ask for the recipe. And lucky for you, I’m here to give it to ya!
If you’re a beginner baker, or you’re just looking for something super quick, then this is your cake. And I know what you’re searching for too. I see that so many people are finding me when they type in “cherry dump cake recipe” or “lemon dump cake” or specifically “lemon cherry dump cake”. I’m glad you’re all here because I have just what you’ve been looking for!
What’s the Big Deal About Lemon Cherry Dump Cake?
Okay, let’s get real for a second. Life can get busy, right? Sometimes, you just want a dessert that’s delicious but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen or a degree in pastry arts. That’s where this lemon cherry dump cake steps in! It’s the ultimate “throw it all in a pan and bake” dessert. Perfect when unexpected guests arrive or if you just have a craving for something sweet.
“Cherry lemon dump cake,” “cherry lemon cake”—I’ve seen those searches too, and honestly, it doesn’t matter what you call it. What matters is the taste! And trust me, the combination of tart lemons and sweet cherries is a match made in heaven. It’s the kinda dessert that gets the family to the table quickly.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe
Ridiculously Easy: Seriously, if you can open a can and melt butter, you can make this cake. It’s the perfect recipe for beginner bakers or anyone who wants a quick dessert fix.
Minimal Ingredients: You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients. Just a few staples, and you’re good to go!
Crowd-Pleaser: I’ve brought this lemon cherry cake to potlucks, family dinners, and birthday parties. It’s always a hit. People just love the flavor combo.
Versatile: You can easily customize this recipe. Add different fruits, spices, or toppings to make it your own! I’ve made some amazing twists with this cake and I plan on sharing them in the future too.
Super Moist: No dry cake here! Thanks to the fruit and butter, this dump cake stays incredibly moist and delicious.
My Lemon Cherry Dump Cake Story
You know, every recipe has a story, right? For me, this lemon cherry dump cake is all about memories of my grandma’s kitchen. She always had something sweet baking, and while this wasn’t exactly her recipe, it reminds me of her simple, loving approach to cooking. She taught me that food doesn’t have to be complicated to be amazing. And this cake? It’s proof of that.
I also remember the first time my kids made this all by themselves. It was… messy. But oh so fun and delicious! We laughed so much, and the pride on their faces when everyone raved about their “lemon cherry dump cake” (as they proudly called it) was priceless. This is the type of recipe where you can create memories.

Breaking Down the Flavors: Why Lemon and Cherry?
So, why this dynamic duo? Well, the tartness of the lemon perfectly balances the sweetness of the cherries. It’s like a little party in your mouth! The lemon zest adds a bright, zesty note, while the cherries provide that rich, juicy flavor. It’s a flavor combination that just works, whether you’re searching for “lemon cherry dump cake” or “cherry dump cake recipe”.
And don’t get me started on the texture! The cake part is soft and tender, almost like a cobbler, and the fruit is warm and gooey. It’s such a great combination of textures. Each bite will make your taste buds happy.
Let’s Talk Ingredients (Simple and Sweet!)
The beauty of this “lemon dump cake” (as you might be searching) is how few ingredients you really need. Here’s the rundown:
Canned Cherry Pie Filling: This is the heart of our cake. It brings all that sweet cherry goodness. I personally love to pick up a can of cherry pie filling with added cherries. I just love extra fruit!
Lemon Cake Mix: A box of lemon cake mix makes this recipe incredibly easy. You could use a yellow or white cake mix, but the lemon really brings it to another level!
Butter: Melted butter creates a rich, buttery layer on top. It’s what gives the cake that golden, crispy edge. Salted or unsalted, your choice!
Lemon Zest: This adds a bright, fresh lemon flavor that really elevates the cake. Don’t skip it!
That’s really all there is to it.
How simple is that?
Commonly Asked Questions
Absolutely! If you have fresh cherries, you can definitely use them. Just make sure to pit them first and maybe add a little extra sugar if they aren’t as sweet as canned filling.
Yes! As I said, yellow or white cake mix would work, but lemon really compliments the cherries. You could also try a different fruit filling if you wanted. I’ve used blueberry and it’s incredible!
Store any leftover cake in the fridge, covered, for up to 3-4 days. It tastes great cold or warmed up!
Yes, you can! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Because you literally “dump” all the ingredients into the pan! No mixing, no fuss, just dump and bake.
Similar Recipes
If you enjoy dessert recipes made with cake mix like this, you will enjoy the recipes below:
- Apple Spice Dump Cake
- Caramel Butterscotch Crockpot Cake
- Cherry Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- My Favorite Recipes Using Cake Mix
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home Cookbook
Print
Lemon and Cherry Dump Cake
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Looking to make a quick and easy dessert? Try this Lemon Cherry Dump Cake with sweet and tart cherries and a crunchy cake topping that is to die for!
Ingredients
- 1 box Lemon Cake Mix
- 3 oz. Cream Cheese
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 lb. Cherry Pie Filling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 Degrees. Spray a 9X13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, add the dry cake mix and the cream cheese, vanilla extract, and butter. Use a pastry cutter or fork to work the cream cheese and butter into the dry cake mix. Continue to work the cake mix until it forms large crumbs and is no longer dry.
- Pour the filling into the casserole dish and sprinkle the cake mix evenly on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cake mix is golden. Allow to cool and serve with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- You can use yellow cake mix instead of the lemon cake mix if you want.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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