If you’re ready for a ridiculously easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that brings together the creamy richness of cheesecake with sweet strawberry flavors, the Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is about to become your new best friend. Entirely fuss-free and brimming with vibrant color, this recipe layers strawberry pie filling, a luscious cream cheese mixture, and buttery cake mix into a single dish that practically makes itself in the oven. Whether you need a last-minute treat or a no-stress finale for your next gathering, this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake promises big smiles with every irresistible bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role, contributing to the luscious texture and unforgettable flavor that sets this cake apart. There’s nothing complicated here—just a handful of pantry and fridge staples that work a little magic together!
- White cake mix: Lends a light, fluffy layer with just the right amount of sweetness to let the filling and cream cheese shine through.
- Strawberry pie filling: Infuses every forkful with vibrant color and fruity flavor, creating that unmistakable strawberry cheesecake vibe.
- Cream cheese: Softened for easy mixing, it adds classic cheesecake tang and creamy richness.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Helps the cake mix transform into a crisp, golden topping full of buttery flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese layer, perfectly balancing the dessert.
- Vanilla extract: Delivers that familiar, comforting aroma and ties all the flavors together.
- Salt: Just a pinch is enough to enhance and balance the sweet, creamy, and fruity components.
How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Kick things off by heating your oven to 350°F and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This step sets the gold standard for easy release and helps the delicious layers slide right out later. That little bit of nonstick love goes a long way!
Step 2: Spread the Strawberry Layer
Pop open your can of strawberry pie filling and spread it evenly over the bottom of your prepared dish. This is the foundation of the Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake, bringing glorious color and the taste of ripe strawberries to every bite.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a mixing bowl, beat your softened cream cheese along with the sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is velvety smooth. We’re going for cloud-like creaminess here, so don’t skimp on the mixing—but you don’t need to break out the stand mixer unless you want to!
Step 4: Add the Cheesecake Layer
Take spoonfuls of the creamy mixture and drop them all across the strawberry pie filling. There’s no need to be precise—little pockets of cheesecake scattered throughout mean wonderful surprises in every serving of Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake.
Step 5: Top with Cake Mix
Sprinkle the white cake mix straight out of the box, creating an even layer over the entire dish. This “dump and go” approach is what makes a dump cake so carefree and fun—no need for mixing bowls or extra tools.
Step 6: Drizzle with Butter
Slowly drizzle the melted butter across the surface, aiming to cover as much of the dry cake mix as possible. The buttery goodness helps the cake mix bake up with those gorgeous golden patches on top—truly irresistible!
Step 7: Bake It to Perfection
Slide your dish into the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is crisp and golden and the edges are bubbling with strawberry juiciness. Let it cool for at least 10–15 minutes so things can set nicely before digging in.
How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Garnishes
A luscious dessert like Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake deserves a little flourish! Top each serving with a generous dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or fresh sliced strawberries for a final burst of color and flavor.
Side Dishes
While this cake is a star on its own, you can pair it with a light fruit salad, a cool glass of lemonade, or even a hot mug of coffee for an extra special treat. The sweet-tart notes of the cake play beautifully with chilled or creamy sides, turning dessert into a real event.
Creative Ways to Present
For a show-stopping presentation, scoop the Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake into parfait glasses with layers of extra strawberries and whipped topping. Or serve it family-style, straight from the pan, with a sprinkling of powdered sugar—there’s no wrong way to show off that stunning strawberry layer!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (and that’s a big if), simply cover the dish and stash it in the fridge. The cake keeps beautifully for up to three days, and the flavors only deepen as they mingle.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake for future cravings. Cool it completely, wrap individual portions or the whole dish tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and it’ll taste almost as good as freshly baked.
Reheating
For a just-baked touch, rewarm servings in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds or pop the whole dish in a low oven (300°F) until pleasantly warm. If you love it chilled, serve it straight from the fridge—the choice is yours!
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling?
Fresh strawberries can be used if tossed with a bit of sugar and a spoonful of cornstarch to create the syrupy consistency of pie filling, but you may miss out on the extra jammy depth the canned version brings to Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Just swap in your favorite gluten-free white cake mix and ensure your other ingredients are certified gluten-free. The end result will still be every bit as delicious and crowd-pleasing.
Do I need to soften the cream cheese first?
Softening the cream cheese makes it so much easier to mix and gives you that perfectly smooth, creamy layer. Leave it at room temperature for about 30 minutes before making your Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake for best results.
Can I double this recipe for a large group?
This recipe is wonderfully scalable. Use two 9×13-inch pans and simply double each ingredient. Keep an eye on the baking time—it may need a few extra minutes to get that golden, bubbly finish.
Can I make Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the cake a few hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate before baking. Or, bake it in advance and serve it chilled or rewarm before serving—either way, it’s delicious and hassle-free.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a dessert that combines ease, nostalgia, and the unbeatable flavors of summer, the Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is a must-try. Whether you serve it warm or chilled, to friends or family, there’s no way you won’t be met with rave reviews. Go ahead—treat yourself to a slice or two of strawberry, cheesecake, and cake magic all in one dish!
