Creating this delicious Tangy Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is a breeze. Follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Prepare the Cake Mix: In a large bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, water, and melted butter. Stir until well blended.

3. Spread the Mixture: Pour the cake batter into the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.

4. Mix Cream Cheese Filling: In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth. Add the sour cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and eggs. Mix until fully combined.

5. Layer the Cream Cheese Mixture: Pour the cream cheese filling over the cake batter, covering it evenly. Do not stir; it will create its own layers during baking.

6. Bake the Cake: Place the filled baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

8. Serve with Optional Additions: You can serve it as-is or top it with whipped cream and fresh berries for an extra indulgence.

By following these straightforward steps, you’ll have a delightful cake that is sure to impress!