If you’ve been craving a dessert that’s both indulgent and incredibly easy to make, this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Recipe is about to become your new best friend. It’s a beautiful harmony of juicy strawberry pie filling, luscious cream cheese, and light, crumbly cake topping all baked into one glorious, comforting treat. No need for complicated steps or fancy techniques—this recipe takes just a few simple ingredients and turns them into a show-stopping dessert that tastes like it took hours to create. You’ll love how each bite melts with sweet strawberry flavor balanced perfectly by smooth cheesecake goodness and a buttery golden crust.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Recipe plays an important role in building layers of flavor and texture. These easy-to-find staples come together effortlessly to create the perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and that irresistible cake crumb crunch.
- Strawberry cake mix: Provides a vibrant color and sweet, light crumb that crisps beautifully when baked.
- Strawberry pie filling: Bursting with juiciness and fruity flavor, it’s the luscious base of the dessert.
- Cream cheese: Adds rich, creamy texture and tang that balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Melted to drizzle on top, it helps create a golden, tender crust that melts in your mouth.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture smoothly without any graininess.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, aromatic note.
- Optional toppings: Whipped cream and fresh strawberries add a fresh finish and extra flair for serving.
How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare your baking dish and oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This ensures your dessert won’t stick while baking and makes for easy serving later.
Step 2: Layer the strawberry pie filling
Evenly spread the strawberry pie filling across the bottom of your prepared dish. This juicy layer is the flavorful foundation that turns this cake into a strawberry lover’s dream.
Step 3: Mix the cream cheese layer
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then mix until everything is fully combined and silky smooth.
Step 4: Spread the cream cheese mixture
Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the strawberry filling, spreading it out evenly. This creamy middle layer creates that delicious cheesecake vibe everyone loves.
Step 5: Add the dry cake mix topping
Sprinkle the dry strawberry cake mix evenly over the cream cheese layer. This will create a light, crumbly crust once baked that contrasts beautifully with the creamy filling underneath.
Step 6: Drizzle with melted butter
Drizzle the melted butter evenly across the top of the cake mix. The butter helps the cake topping crisp up and turns golden brown as it bakes, giving you a perfect texture balance.
Step 7: Bake until bubbly and golden
Place your dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the edges are bubbling and the top is a gorgeous golden brown. The smell filling your kitchen will be absolutely irresistible.
Step 8: Cool and add final touches
Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving so it sets up nicely. When ready, add optional whipped cream and fresh strawberries for a beautiful wintery finish.
How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Whipped cream and fresh strawberries are the perfect partners for this dessert, adding lightness and natural sweetness. A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a few mint leaves can also brighten up the presentation and complement the flavor.
Side Dishes
This strawberry cheesecake dump cake shines on its own but pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt for contrast. Fresh fruit salad on the side also adds a refreshing balance to the indulgent richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this dessert in clear glass dishes or jars so the colorful layers are showcased. You can also portion it into individual ramekins or mini mason jars for a fun party presentation. Drizzle a little chocolate or berry sauce on top for an elegant twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftovers covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop and get richer after resting, so it can be just as delicious the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze this dump cake for up to 2 months. Freeze in an airtight container and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating or serving chilled.
Reheating
Warm up leftover strawberry cheesecake dump cake in the oven at 300°F for about 15 minutes or until just heated through. Avoid microwaving for too long to maintain the delightful texture contrast.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Yes! While the strawberry flavor is perfect here, you can experiment with white or yellow cake mix for a slightly different but still delicious result. Each will change the flavor profile subtly, so choose what you love most.
Do I have to use cream cheese?
Cream cheese is essential for that signature cheesecake layer, but if you want a lighter version, mixing in some Greek yogurt or mascarpone can work well too. Just keep the consistency thick enough to spread.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as is, since typical cake mixes contain gluten. However, you can try substituting with a gluten-free strawberry cake mix and pie filling marked gluten-free to make it safe for gluten sensitivity.
Can I make this dessert vegan?
This recipe relies heavily on dairy ingredients, so to make a vegan version, substitute dairy-free cream cheese, vegan butter, and check that your cake mix and pie filling are free of animal products. It’ll take some tweaks but still can turn out delicious.
Why is it called a ‘dump cake’?
‘Dump cake’ refers to the simplicity of the recipe where you basically ‘dump’ the ingredients into the pan and bake with minimal mixing or fuss. It’s a fantastic way to have homemade cake with less cleanup and effort.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Recipe truly feels like a hug in dessert form—comforting, sweet, and incredibly satisfying without demanding hours in the kitchen. Whether it’s a weeknight treat or a crowd-pleasing dessert for special occasions, it never disappoints. I can’t wait for you to try this easy, scrumptious recipe and experience the joy it brings to your table and taste buds.
Print
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is a delightful and easy-to-make dessert that combines the flavors of fresh strawberries and creamy cheesecake with a moist, buttery cake topping. Perfect for gatherings or a simple family treat, this recipe requires minimal preparation and uses readily available ingredients for a quick yet impressive dessert.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 box strawberry cake mix
- 1 (21 oz) can strawberry pie filling
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- Whipped cream
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking during baking.
- Layer strawberry filling: Spread the entire can of strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a juicy, fruity base layer.
- Prepare cream cheese mixture: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it becomes smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then continue mixing until all ingredients are fully combined and smooth.
- Spread cream cheese layer: Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly over the strawberry pie filling, carefully spreading it to cover the entire surface.
- Add cake mix topping: Sprinkle the dry strawberry cake mix evenly over the cream cheese layer to create the crumbly cake topping.
- Drizzle melted butter: Pour the melted unsalted butter evenly over the top of the dry cake mix to moisten the topping and help it bake to a golden finish.
- Bake the cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling with filling.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving. Optionally, garnish with whipped cream and fresh strawberries for an extra touch of flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
- You can substitute vanilla extract with almond extract for a different flavor twist.
- Letting the cake cool a bit helps the layers to set and improves slicing.
- Serve warm or at room temperature depending on preference.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
