The title compound, C(15)H(14)O(4), was prepared by the reaction of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione and (Z)-3-phenyl-acryl-aldehyde in ethanol. The dioxane ring is in a sofa conformation with the C atom bonded to the two methyl groups forming the flap. With the exception of the flap atom and the methyl group C atoms, all other non-H atoms are essentially planar, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.067 (1) Å. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.