If you’re craving a dessert that brings together the best of summer strawberries, creamy cheesecake, and the ease of a no-fuss bake, the Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is absolutely the treat for you. Every bite promises tangy fruit, rich cream cheese, and a buttery cake crumble—pure comfort made in one pan, with almost no effort at all!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Magic: The dump-and-bake method makes an irresistible dessert with barely any prep or mixing.
- Delicious Layers: Jammy strawberries, creamy cheesecake bits, and golden, buttery cake crumble together for crowd-pleasing flavor in every spoonful.
- Perfect for Sharing: It serves a big group—bring it to potlucks, holiday tables, or cozy family dinners.
- Customizable Favorites: Easy tweaks and add-ins let you make this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake truly your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need five simple ingredients for this cake, but each plays a starring role. From luscious strawberry pie filling to rich cream cheese and golden cake crumble, every piece comes together to create the luscious taste and texture this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is famous for.
- Strawberry pie filling: The heart of this cake—jammy, sweet fruit that provides the signature flavor and oozy, fruity base.
- Yellow cake mix: No need for measuring or mixing from scratch; this shortcut delivers a soft, sweet crumbly topping.
- Cream cheese, cubed: Little pockets of creamy tang add that authentic cheesecake flavor and a smooth contrast to the cake and fruit.
- Butter, melted: A generous pour soaks into the cake mix, creating a golden, crisp top and buttery-rich flavor throughout.
- Whipped cream: A dollop on each serving adds a finishing touch of lightness and classic dessert flair.
Variations
One of the things I love most about Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is how endlessly adaptable it is. Whether you have different fruit on hand or want to sneak in your own twist, this recipe is practically begging to be customized!
- Switch the Pie Filling: Try blueberry, cherry, or peach pie filling for a brand new flavor experience—each brings their own pop of color and fruitiness.
- Use White or French Vanilla Cake Mix: Substitute yellow cake mix with white or French vanilla to create a slightly different but equally scrumptious crumb.
- Add Crunchy Toppings: Sprinkle chopped pecans, sliced almonds, or even graham cracker crumbs over the top before baking for extra texture.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Opt for your favorite gluten-free cake mix so everyone can dig in, worry-free.
How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly greasing a 13×9-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. This helps the beautiful, syrupy strawberry layer release easily for serving and keeps cleanup a breeze!
Step 2: Layer the Strawberry Pie Filling
Open both cans of strawberry pie filling and spread them evenly into the bottom of your prepared dish, smoothing with a spatula so the whole base is covered with glossy, juicy fruit.
Step 3: Sprinkle Cake Mix and Add Cream Cheese
Sprinkle one of the cake mixes evenly over the strawberry filling, creating a soft, sweet barrier between the fruit and the creamy pockets of goodness. Dot the cubed cream cheese all over the top—try to distribute the pieces so every scoop will get a creamy surprise!
Step 4: Cover with More Cake Mix and Drizzle Butter
Now, add the second cake mix as another layer, gently spreading so everything looks even. Pour all that lovely melted butter as evenly as you can over the surface, letting it seep into the cake mix—this is what transforms the top into that golden, crisped perfection.
Step 5: Bake and Serve
Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling bubbles up along the edges. Let the Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake cool for about 10 minutes—just enough to set but still deliciously warm. Serve generous scoops with a billow of whipped cream. Heaven!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
- Even Butter Drizzle: Take your time pouring the melted butter, aiming to cover as much of the cake mix as possible for a guaranteed golden, crunchy topping.
- Chilled Cream Cheese Cubes: Start with cold, cubed cream cheese and gently press them in—chilled cubes retain their shape and create little cheesecake “islands” as the cake bakes.
- Let It Rest: Resist the urge to dig in immediately! Giving the cake at least 10 minutes to cool helps it hold together for serving, and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Customize for the Crowd: Stir in some fresh sliced strawberries for an extra burst of fruit, or sprinkle white chocolate chips on top before baking for true strawberry cheesecake vibes.
How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Garnishes
For unmistakable strawberry cheesecake flair, a generous swirl of whipped cream is a must! Fresh strawberries, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a few shavings of white chocolate give each serving a special touch—and make every bowl look irresistible.
Side Dishes
This sweet, crowd-pleasing dessert shines brightest as the grand finish to a meal, but if you want to get creative, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a tangy lemon sorbet. For a festive brunch, pair it with fresh fruit salad and lots of coffee!
Creative Ways to Present
Scoop your Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake into pretty parfait glasses, layering with extra whipped cream and berries for individual trifles. Or cut into squares (after fully cooling) for a picnic-friendly treat that’s easy to pass around. Rustic or elegant, it always wows!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover dump cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Just let it cool completely before covering tightly with plastic wrap or transferring to an airtight container—this keeps the strawberry filling and creamy cheesecake bits in perfect shape.
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake! Once it’s cooled, portion it into freezer-safe containers or wrap the whole (baked) cake tightly and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, just pop a portion into the microwave for 30–45 seconds until warmed or bake in a low oven (around 300°F) until hot and bubbly. A quick reheat brings back that signature cozy, just-baked taste—ready for another dollop of cream!
FAQs
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Can I use fresh or frozen strawberries instead of canned pie filling?
You can, but you’ll need to cook them down first with some sugar and a bit of cornstarch to mimic the thickness and sweetness of canned pie filling. Using fresh or frozen fruit gives a less jammy (but still delicious) sauce—just make sure it isn’t watery before using!
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Do I need to mix the cake mix with eggs or milk?
Nope, you’ll use the dry cake mix straight from the box! The melted butter added on top is enough to create that tender, crumbly topping—just sprinkle and pour, no mixing bowls required.
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How do I keep the topping from being powdery?
For best results, pour the butter slowly and try to cover as much dry mix as possible. If you see any dry spots while baking, a gentle spritz with cooking spray mid-bake can help those bits crisp up too.
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Is Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake best served warm or cold?
It’s wonderful either way! Warm, it’s gooey and comforting—especially with a scoop of ice cream. Cold from the fridge, it’s firmer and extra creamy, perfect for breakfast (yes, really!) or a refreshingly cool treat.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is one of those desserts that feels like a celebration every time you make it—simple, joyful, and impossible to resist. Give it a try and let the strawberry scent fill your kitchen. I know you’ll fall in love at first bite!
PrintStrawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Total Time: 55 min
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is a delightful and easy dessert that combines the flavors of strawberry pie filling, yellow cake mix, cream cheese, and butter to create a decadent treat. Perfect for gatherings or a sweet indulgence at home.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cans (21 ounces each) strawberry pie filling
- 2 packages (15-1/4 ounces each) yellow cake mix
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Layer Ingredients: Spread one can of strawberry pie filling in a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with one box of cake mix. Dot the cake mix with cubed cream cheese. Cover with the second box of cake mix.
- Add Butter: Pour the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is set and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Serve warm with whipped cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 581
- Sugar: 51g
- Sodium: 734mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 87g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg