Making the Tangy Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is a simple process that follows these steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
3. Add Lemon Flavor: Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest until well combined. Set this mixture aside.
4. Mix Cake Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, melted butter, and water, mixing until batter is smooth.
5. Layer Ingredients: Pour the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Then, dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter. Do not stir; let it layer.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool: After baking, remove from the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes before serving. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar for a lovely touch.

By following these simple steps, you’ll create a dessert that surprises and delights everyone who gets a taste!