Craving a bright, citrusy dessert you can whip up in minutes using just a handful of ingredients? If you're nodding yes (because who doesn't love lemon?), this lemon curd dump cake is exactly what your taste buds need.
Table of contents
- WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS LIGHT & REFRESHING 4 INGREDIENT LEMON CURD CAKE RECIPE...
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR YOUR NEW FAVORITE SUMMER DESSERT...
- 🥄 KEY INGREDIENTS & WHY WE LOVE THEM
- How to Make a Healthier 4 Ingredient Lemon Dump Cake
- Tips for Building a Perfect Dump Cake
- ✨ Beautifully Imperfect, Unbelievably Delicious
- 🥗 Looking for More Fresh, Feel-Good Recipes?
With a sweet and tangy lemon layer, creamy filling, and a buttery, golden topping, this is one of those easy dump cake recipes that checks every box: minimal ingredients, maximum flavor, and zero stress.
Now, I know some people might raise an eyebrow at using a box of yellow cake mix from the grocery store (I used Pillsbury, my favorite brand), but stick with me.
This isn't your typical lemon dump cake recipe made with a stick of butter and canned filling. Instead, I used natural lemon curd (yes, the good stuff), light cream cheese, and Greek yogurt to craft a silky cream cheese filling that gives you all the rich flavor with a lighter twist.
It's my thing here on the blog - taking nostalgic easy dessert recipes and giving them a little healthy makeover.
This lemon cream cheese dump cake recipe is baked in a standard 9x13 baking dish, uses just 4 simple ingredients, and has that signature tangy lemon flavor lemon lovers dream about.
You'll love the contrast between the fluffy layer of cake mix and the gooey lemon filling underneath. And yes, I did get a couple dry cake mix spots on the top of the cake mix, but pro tip - just drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the entire top of the dry cake mix to help prevent that next time!
Whether you're using a lemon cake mix, white cake mix, or even vanilla cake mix, this easy lemon dump cake is one of the easiest cakes you'll make all summer.
It's perfect for last-minute gatherings, a quick dessert, or when you want something sweet but with minimal effort. Don't forget to let the cake cool slightly and top it with a little Cool Whip, lemon zest, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for that bakery-style finish.
And if you've got fresh blueberries on hand - it's a great way to add a fruity twist.
Store any leftover lemon dump cake in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic wrap right in the cake pan - if you even have leftovers!
Here are some more Weight Watcher friendly side dishes and desserts you may like Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls, Air Fryer Polenta, Easy Naan Bread , Air Fryer Avocado Fries, 3 Ingredient Cinnamon Muffins and my favorite Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS LIGHT & REFRESHING 4 INGREDIENT LEMON CURD CAKE RECIPE...
Weight Watcher Friendly - This light and sweet lemon curd dump cake is only 4 WW points on my WW app if your slice your cake into 24 squares.
Now, before you panic about the 4 WW points per slice-let's talk strategy. Yes, 4 points may feel like a lot when you're working with a daily budget of 23, but that's the beauty of Weight Watchers: you're not restricted-you're empowered.
You can absolutely enjoy dessert if you plan for it. Maybe that means loading up on zero-point foods for your main meals (hello eggs, chicken breast, non-starchy veggies, and fruit!), or going for a walk to earn some activity points.
Remember: this plan is flexible, livable, and meant to include the foods you love-even a lemony, golden, cake-that-tastes-like-summer kind of dessert. Life's too short to skip cake.
Since the new Weight Watchers plan is personalized you will have to input the ingredients used into your WW app to get your exact WW personal points.
Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: With just 4 simple ingredients, this recipe proves you don't need a long grocery list to create something absolutely crave-worthy.
Better-for-You Twist on a Classic: It's a lightened-up version of the traditional dump cake-still indulgent and lemony, but with a healthier spin your sweet tooth (and waistline) will appreciate.
Busy-Life Approved: Whether you're juggling kids, work, or just don't feel like spending hours in the kitchen, this quick-prep, no-fuss dessert is your new go-to.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR YOUR NEW FAVORITE SUMMER DESSERT...
🥄 KEY INGREDIENTS & WHY WE LOVE THEM
🍋 Bonne Maman Lemon Curd - This curd is the star of the show! It delivers bright, zesty lemon flavor with a rich, silky texture. We love Bonne Maman because it's made with simple, real ingredients-no weird aftertaste, just pure citrusy sunshine in every bite.
🍰 Pillsbury Moist Supreme Yellow Cake Mix - A total time-saver that gives your dump cake a perfectly soft, buttery base with minimal effort. It's reliable, fluffy, and creates that golden, slightly crisp top layer we all crave in a good dump cake. You can easily swap in a sugar-free cake mix or your favorite brand to fit your dietary needs or preferences-this recipe is super flexible!
🧀 Light Cream Cheese - Adds a creamy, tangy balance to all that sweet lemon flavor, and keeps the texture rich without going overboard. Using the light version gives us that lusciousness without the guilt-because yes, we can have both!
How to Make a Healthier 4 Ingredient Lemon Dump Cake
1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Line you pan with parchment paper to make it easier to lift out your cake and slice into squares or bars.
2: Spread the lemon curd filling evenly across the bottom of your baking dish. Dot with cubed cream cheese.
3: Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the top of the filling. Do not mix.
4: Add dollops of Plain Greek Yogurt across the top of dry cake mix and gently spread to cover the majority of the cake. I am going to add some additional tips here as this is a little tricky.
Tips for Building a Perfect Dump Cake
✅ A. Use a Spoon or Offset Spatula for Yogurt Spreading
Spreading yogurt over dry cake mix can be tricky-it's thick, and there's not always a ton of it. Instead of trying to smooth it like frosting:
- Drop dollops of yogurt all over the surface (like 8-10 blobs evenly spaced).
- Then gently spread each blob outward using the back of a spoon or an offset spatula.
- Focus on "nudging" the yogurt to meet in the middle rather than dragging it all across at once. You're not trying to fully mix it in-just moisten the surface to help reduce dryness.
✅ B. Don't Pack the Cake Mix Down
It's tempting to press the cake mix flat before topping, but don't! Leaving it loose and airy helps it better absorb the moisture from the curd, yogurt, and cream cheese.
✅ C. Add a Light Mist of Water or Milk
If you're seeing lots of dry patches before baking, try this pro move:
- Mist the top lightly with water or milk using a spray bottle or your fingers.
- This helps activate the cake mix just enough without making it soggy.
✅ D. A Little Dry Cake Mix Is Okay!
A few dry patches = texture and crunch, almost like a lemon streusel topping. It adds contrast to the creamy filling below, so don't worry if some dry bits remain after baking-they're delicious.
✅ E. Swap Smart with Cake Mixes
You don't have to use Pillsbury Moist Supreme. Try a sugar-free, gluten-free, or organic cake mix if it suits your dietary needs. Just make sure it's a similar volume (15.25 oz box) for proper bake balance.
5: Optional - Sprinkle with poppy seeds - bake uncovered 35-40 minutes until golden and set.
6: Remove from oven, let cool for at least 15 minutes. Once cooled use the parchment paper to lift the cake out of the pan for slicing. Serve with a dollop of cool whip or light ice cream and enjoy!
✨ Beautifully Imperfect, Unbelievably Delicious
This healthier lemon dump cake might not win any awards for appearance straight out of the oven-it's rustic, a little messy, and honestly kind of humble-looking. But don't let the looks fool you-one bite and you're hooked.
It's creamy, bright, tangy-sweet, and layered with that dreamy lemon curd flavor that just melts into the soft cake and cheesecake-like pockets. To dress it up for a BBQ, potluck, or family dinner, we sprinkled a bit of lemon zest and powdered sugar on top, then added a fresh sprig of mint and a little lavender from the garden.
Want more ideas? Try topping it with thin lemon slices, edible flowers, or serving it in individual ramekins with a dollop of light whipped cream. No one will care how it looks once they taste it-but a little garnish never hurts. 😉
Yes! While yellow cake mix creates a rich, buttery base that pairs beautifully with lemon curd, you can absolutely use white cake mix for a lighter flavor or even lemon cake mix for extra zing. Just make sure it's a standard 15.25 oz box to keep the texture right.
If you don't have light cream cheese, you can use regular cream cheese, Neufchâtel, or even a dairy-free cream cheese alternative. Just make sure it's softened so it spreads and bakes evenly into the cake.
That's totally normal! Dump cakes are rustic by nature. A little dry cake mix on top creates a subtle crumbly, streusel-like topping. If you want less dryness, try:
Spreading the yogurt carefully to cover more surface area.
Giving the top a light mist of water or milk before baking.
Letting the cake sit 5-10 minutes before baking so the mix can absorb more moisture.
Yes! This cake actually gets even better after a few hours in the fridge. You can bake it the day before and store it covered. Serve chilled or bring it to room temperature before garnishing and serving.
Yes-but it depends on how you slice it and what brands you use. If you cut the cake into 24 squares, it's approximately 8 WW points per slice using the ingredients listed. You can reduce points by using sugar-free cake mix, fat-free Greek yogurt, or lower-point brands. Remember, WW is about balance-you can totally enjoy this dessert with a little planning!
🥗 Looking for More Fresh, Feel-Good Recipes?
Pair this light and luscious lemon dump cake with something fresh from my Healthy Summer Salads Cookbook! It's packed with easy, nourishing salad recipes that keep things light, seasonal, and totally satisfying-perfect for warm-weather meals, picnics, or BBQs. Whether you're keeping it WW-friendly or just looking to eat more greens in a delicious way, this book makes healthy eating easy and exciting. 👉 Click Here for your Summer Salads Cookbook
Discover 50 refreshing and nourishing recipes in the Healthy Summer Salads Cookbook — your ultimate guide to eating well all season long. From light fruit salads to hearty grain bowls, each recipe is made with simple, fresh ingredients and full of flavor. Perfect for cookouts, picnics, or everyday meal prep, these salads are quick to make and easy to love. Stay cool, energized, and inspired in the kitchen this summer!
4 Ingredient Lemon Curd Dump Cake with Cream Cheese
- Total Time: 55 Minutes
- Yield: 24 Lemon Squares 1x
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Craving a bright, citrusy dessert you can whip up in minutes using just a handful of ingredients? If you're nodding yes (because who doesn't love lemon?), this lemon curd dump cake is exactly what your taste buds need.
Ingredients
- 18 ounces of Lemon Curd
- 4 ounces of Light Cream Cheese
- 1 Box of Cake Mix ( Yellow, Lemon or White)
- 1 cup of Plain Greek Yogurt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Line you pan with parchment paper to make it easier to lift out your cake and slice into squares or bars.
- Spread the lemon curd filling evenly across the bottom of your baking dish. Dot with cubed cream cheese.
- Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the top of the filling. Do not mix.
- Add dollops of Plain Greek Yogurt across the top of dry cake mix and gently spread to cover the majority of the cake. I am going to add some additional tips here as this is a little tricky.
✅ A. Use a Spoon or Offset Spatula for Yogurt Spreading
Spreading yogurt over dry cake mix can be tricky-it's thick, and there's not always a ton of it. Instead of trying to smooth it like frosting:
-
Drop dollops of yogurt all over the surface (like 8-10 blobs evenly spaced).
-
Then gently spread each blob outward using the back of a spoon or an offset spatula.
-
Focus on "nudging" the yogurt to meet in the middle rather than dragging it all across at once. You're not trying to fully mix it in-just moisten the surface to help reduce dryness.
✅ B. Don't Pack the Cake Mix Down
It's tempting to press the cake mix flat before topping, but don't! Leaving it loose and airy helps it better absorb the moisture from the curd, yogurt, and cream cheese.
✅ C. Add a Light Mist of Water or Milk
If you're seeing lots of dry patches before baking, try this pro move:
-
Mist the top lightly with water or milk using a spray bottle or your fingers.
-
This helps activate the cake mix just enough without making it soggy.
✅ D. A Little Dry Cake Mix Is Okay!
A few dry patches = texture and crunch, almost like a lemon streusel topping. It adds contrast to the creamy filling below, so don't worry if some dry bits remain after baking-they're delicious.
✅ E. Swap Smart with Cake Mixes
You don't have to use Pillsbury Moist Supreme. Try a sugar-free, gluten-free, or organic cake mix if it suits your dietary needs. Just make sure it's a similar volume (15.25 oz box) for proper bake balance.
-
- Optional - Sprinkle with poppy seeds - bake uncovered 35-40 minutes until golden and set.
- Remove from oven, let cool for at least 15 minutes. Once cooled use the parchment paper to lift the cake out of the pan for slicing. Serve with a dollop of cool whip or light ice cream and enjoy!
Notes
🍋 Expert Tips for the Perfect Healthier Lemon Dump Cake
✅ 1. Use a Spoon or Offset Spatula for Yogurt Spreading
Spreading yogurt over dry cake mix can be tricky-it's thick, and there's not always a ton of it. Instead of trying to smooth it like frosting:
-
Drop dollops of yogurt all over the surface (like 8-10 blobs evenly spaced).
-
Then gently spread each blob outward using the back of a spoon or an offset spatula.
-
Focus on "nudging" the yogurt to meet in the middle rather than dragging it all across at once. You're not trying to fully mix it in-just moisten the surface to help reduce dryness.
✅ 2. Don't Pack the Cake Mix Down
It's tempting to press the cake mix flat before topping, but don't! Leaving it loose and airy helps it better absorb the moisture from the curd, yogurt, and cream cheese.
✅ 3. Add a Light Mist of Water or Milk
If you're seeing lots of dry patches before baking, try this pro move:
-
Mist the top lightly with water or milk using a spray bottle or your fingers.
-
This helps activate the cake mix just enough without making it soggy.
✅ 4. A Little Dry Cake Mix Is Okay!
A few dry patches = texture and crunch, almost like a lemon streusel topping. It adds contrast to the creamy filling below, so don't worry if some dry bits remain after baking-they're delicious.
✅ 5. Swap Smart with Cake Mixes
You don't have to use Pillsbury Moist Supreme. Try a sugar-free, gluten-free, or organic cake mix if it suits your dietary needs. Just make sure it's a similar volume (15.25 oz box) for proper bake balance.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 45 Minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 106
- Sugar: 7.9 g
- Sodium: 28.5 mg
- Fat: 6.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 9.4 g
- Protein: 2.9 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Discover 50 refreshing and nourishing recipes in the Healthy Summer Salads Cookbook — your ultimate guide to eating well all season long. From light fruit salads to hearty grain bowls, each recipe is made with simple, fresh ingredients and full of flavor. Perfect for cookouts, picnics, or everyday meal prep, these salads are quick to make and easy to love. Stay cool, energized, and inspired in the kitchen this summer!
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