Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

When life gets busy but your sweet tooth is calling, Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake comes to the rescue. This dessert is the ultimate combination of tangy cream cheese, juicy strawberry filling, and a golden, buttery cake topping. The best part? You don’t need to mix multiple bowls or bake multiple layers—just dump, drizzle, and bake.

Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dessert, a casual gathering, or a festive holiday treat, this cake is quick, indulgent, and impossible to resist. It’s a recipe that combines the elegance of cheesecake with the simplicity of a dump cake.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

• Effortless: Minimal prep and no complex steps.
• Deliciously layered: Sweet, tangy, and golden brown textures in every bite.
• Flexible flavors: Swap strawberry for other fruit pie fillings like blueberry, peach, or cherry.
• Family-friendly: Kids love it, and adults appreciate the cheesecake element.
• Make-ahead friendly: Prepares easily and stores in the fridge for a few days.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

• Simple ingredients: Pantry staples and a few fresh essentials create a decadent dessert.
• Quick preparation: Ready to bake in less than 15 minutes.
• Rich flavor profile: Creamy, fruity, sweet, and slightly tangy all at once.
• Versatile serving options: Serve warm with ice cream or chilled for a refreshing treat.
• Impressive dessert: Looks like a layered cake but requires minimal effort.

Ingredients Breakdown

This recipe yields 12 servings, with exact measurements for consistency and flavor.

Cake Components

• 1 box strawberry cake mix
• ½ cup butter, melted

Filling

• 1 21 oz can strawberry pie filling
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar

Pro Tip: Use room-temperature cream cheese to ensure smooth, easily spreadable texture. For extra flavor, you can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture.

Tools & Equipment Needed

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Mixing bowl for cream cheese
• Spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Oven

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Layer the Strawberry Pie Filling

• Spread the entire can of strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the baking dish.

3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer

• In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
• Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the strawberry filling.

4. Add Cake Mix

• Sprinkle the dry strawberry cake mix evenly over the cream cheese layer.

5. Add Butter

• Drizzle melted butter evenly over the top. This ensures a golden, slightly crispy topping after baking.

6. Bake the Cake

• Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the cake is bubbly and the top is golden brown.

7. Serve

• Serve warm for a gooey dessert experience, or chilled for a firmer, sliceable option.

Tips & Variations

• Fruit substitutions: Try blueberry, peach, or cherry pie fillings for different flavors.
• Extra cheesecake layer: Double the cream cheese and powdered sugar for a richer layer.
• Garnish ideas: Add fresh strawberries, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of white chocolate on top.
• Storage: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
• Make ahead: Assemble and refrigerate the layers the night before, then bake when ready to serve.

Flavor Profile & Pairings

• Sweet: From the strawberry pie filling and cake mix.
• Tangy: Cream cheese adds a slight tang to balance sweetness.
• Buttery & golden: Melted butter forms a lightly crisp, flavorful topping.

Suggested Pairings

• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top
• Fresh strawberries or a berry compote for extra freshness
• Hot tea or coffee to complement the sweetness

Nutritional Overview (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~350
• Protein: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 35g
• Sodium: 300mg

Dietary Notes: High in sugar and fat; best enjoyed as an occasional indulgence.

Make-Ahead & Meal Prep Tips

• Assemble ahead: Create layers in the baking dish and cover with foil; bake the next day.
• Store leftovers: Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the baked dump cake in portions; thaw in the fridge before reheating or serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a different flavor cake mix?
Yes! Yellow or white cake mix works, but strawberry adds the best complementary flavor.

2. Can I make it dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternative. Ensure your cake mix is dairy-free as well.

3. Can I use fresh strawberries?
Yes, but cook them slightly into a compote to mimic the pie filling texture.

4. How do I prevent the top from browning too quickly?
If needed, cover loosely with foil for the first 20 minutes, then remove foil for the last 15–20 minutes to brown.

5. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a larger baking dish (like 13×18 inches) and increase bake time slightly.

Cooking Timeline (At a Glance)

Task	Time
Prep cream cheese layer	5 min
Assemble layers	5 min
Preheat oven	10 min
Bake	35–40 min
Serve	5 min
Total	~45 min

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
• Garnish with sliced fresh strawberries for visual appeal.
• Dust with powdered sugar for a restaurant-style presentation.

Recipe Variations

1. Mixed berry dump cake: Substitute strawberry filling with blueberries or raspberries.
2. Chocolate twist: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the cream cheese layer before adding cake mix.
3. Extra cheesecake layer: Double cream cheese mixture for a thicker, richer texture.
4. Nutty topping: Sprinkle crushed almonds or pecans on top before baking for added crunch.

Ingredient Spotlight

Cream Cheese

Provides richness and tang, balancing the sweetness of the strawberry filling. Softened cream cheese ensures smooth distribution.

Strawberry Pie Filling

Gives the cake juicy, fruity flavor and a naturally sweet base. Canned pie filling ensures consistent results and quick prep.

Strawberry Cake Mix

Adds sweetness and structure to the dessert. Using a pre-made mix keeps this dump cake effortless and foolproof.

Pro Cooking Tips

• Even layering: Distribute cream cheese and cake mix evenly for consistent flavor.
• Room temperature ingredients: Helps layers spread and meld together during baking.
• Golden top: Drizzle melted butter carefully for even browning.
• Serving style: Let cool slightly before slicing for cleaner portions, or serve warm for gooey indulgence.

Storage & Freezing Guide

• Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: Portion the baked cake, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheating: Microwave individual portions or reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes.

Nutrition Estimate Table (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	350
Protein	4 g
Carbs	55 g
Fat	14 g
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	35 g

Dietary Notes: This dessert is best served as an occasional indulgence. Naturally vegetarian; easily adaptable for dairy-free diets.

Expanded Conclusion

The Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is a simple yet indulgent dessert that delivers layers of flavor and texture with minimal effort. Juicy strawberries, tangy cream cheese, and buttery golden cake create a dessert that feels decadent but is incredibly easy to make.

Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or a last-minute sweet treat, this dump cake combines simplicity, convenience, and irresistible flavor. Serve it warm with ice cream or enjoy it chilled for a refreshing dessert option. Once you try it, this will quickly become your go-to dessert for strawberries season—or any time of the year.

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