Get ready to meet your new favorite dessert: the Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake. This recipe is the ultimate shortcut to a decadent, crowd-pleasing treat that tastes like it took hours to make. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a bubbling, golden-brown dessert with luscious pockets of creamy cheesecake and sweet strawberries, all topped with a buttery, crunchy cake layer. It’s the perfect solution for potlucks, family gatherings, or any time you need a delicious dessert without the fuss.
If you’re looking for an incredibly easy dessert that delivers on flavor, this is it. We’re combining the sweetness of strawberries, the rich tang of cheesecake, and the satisfying crunch of a buttery cake topping. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
- Incredibly Easy: You just layer the ingredients in a baking dish. There’s no mixing bowl required!
- Simple Ingredients: With only 5 core ingredients, you can whip this up using pantry staples.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The combination of strawberry and cheesecake is a classic for a reason. It’s a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s rustic enough for a weeknight family dinner but decadent enough for a special occasion. For another guaranteed crowd-pleaser, check out these Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies.
What Exactly Is a Dump Cake?
A dump cake gets its name from the method of making it. You literally “dump” the ingredients into a baking pan, typically starting with fruit or pie filling, followed by a dry cake mix, and then topped with melted butter. As it bakes, the butter melts down into the cake mix, creating a delicious, cobbler-like topping over the warm fruit layer. It’s one of the simplest desserts you can make.
Key Ingredients for This Recipe
This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Strawberry Pie Filling: Two cans of strawberry pie filling create the sweet, fruity base of our cake.
- Cream Cheese: Use a block of full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature for easy mixing and spreading.
- Granulated Sugar: Just a bit to sweeten the cream cheese layer.
- Yellow Cake Mix: A box of yellow or butter golden cake mix provides the structure for the crunchy, buttery topping.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter is the key to creating that irresistible, golden-brown crust.
How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Making this dessert is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these simple steps for a perfect dump cake every time.
- Preheat and Prepare: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Create the Cheesecake Layer: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Layer the Ingredients: Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the top of the strawberries. You don’t need to spread it perfectly; creating pockets of cheesecake is what you want!
- Add the Cake Mix: Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the cream cheese and strawberry layers. Gently spread it out to cover everything.
- Top with Butter: Drizzle the melted butter all over the cake mix, covering as much of the surface as you can. This is what creates that golden, crispy topping.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbly around the edges. Let it cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the cake to set up properly.
Pro Tips for the Best Dump Cake
- Don’t Stir!: Resist the urge to stir the layers together. The distinct layers are what make a dump cake magical.
- Use Softened Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature. This ensures your cheesecake filling is smooth and free of lumps.
- Even Butter Distribution: For the best results, try to cover as much of the dry cake mix as possible with the melted butter. This prevents dry, powdery spots. Some people prefer to slice very thin pats of cold butter and arrange them over the top for even coverage.
- Let it Rest: Allowing the dump cake to cool for about 15-20 minutes is crucial. It helps the layers set, making it much easier to serve. If you’re looking for another simple dessert, this 3-Ingredient Yogurt Cake is a fantastic option.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is perfect as is, it’s also incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas to switch things up:
- Different Fruit Fillings: Try cherry, blueberry, or peach pie filling for a different flavor profile.
- Add a Crust: For extra texture, press a simple graham cracker or shortbread crust into the bottom of the pan before adding the filling.
- Use Fresh Berries: You can use fresh strawberries, but you’ll want to macerate them first. Toss about 4 cups of sliced strawberries with 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch before spreading them in the pan.
- Switch Up the Cake Mix: A white cake mix, vanilla cake mix, or even a lemon cake mix would also be delicious.
For a savory option that’s just as easy for a weeknight, try this Crack Chicken Penne.
Serving and Storage Instructions
How to Serve
This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is absolutely divine served warm. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top takes it to the next level. The contrast between the warm, gooey cake and the cold, creamy topping is irresistible.
How to Store
Because of the cream cheese layer, this dump cake should be stored in the refrigerator. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
Can I Make It Ahead?
Yes! You can assemble the entire cake, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven straight from the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire cake, cover it tightly, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before you plan to bake it. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold.
Yes, you can use fresh strawberries. For best results, use about 4 cups of sliced strawberries and toss them with 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch before spreading them in the baking dish. This helps create a thicker, sauce-like consistency similar to pie filling.
Yes, because this recipe contains a cream cheese layer, any leftovers must be covered and stored in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 4 days.
Yellow cake mix or butter golden cake mix are popular choices because their buttery flavor complements most fruit fillings perfectly. However, you can also use a white, vanilla, or even a lemon cake mix to pair with the strawberry cheesecake flavors.
A dry dump cake is usually caused by not having enough butter or not distributing it evenly over the dry cake mix. To prevent this, make sure you drizzle the melted butter to cover as much of the surface as possible. Alternatively, you can slice very thin pats of cold butter and arrange them evenly over the top.
More Delicious Desserts You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this easy dessert, be sure to check out our recipe for Paula Deen's Pumpkin Bars or these delightful Creme Brulee Cheesecake Cupcakes. They are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth!
We hope you love this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake as much as we do! It’s a truly simple recipe that delivers gourmet flavor. If you make it, please leave a comment below or share a photo of your creation on Pinterest. We can’t wait to see it!
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Recipe
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake (The Easiest, Creamiest Dessert Ever)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly over the bottom of the prepared dish. Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the strawberries.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the cream cheese and strawberry layers.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix, ensuring to cover as much of the dry mix as possible.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling at the edges.
- Let the cake cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set. Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in your cheesecake layer.
Tip 3: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
