First, thank you so much for being here! Whether you’re a seasoned home baker or just craving something sweet and simple, you’re going to love this one. This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is pure dessert magic: minimal effort, maximum wow-factor. It’s fruity, creamy, and crowned with a buttery golden topping. Yes, it’s every bit as dreamy as it sounds!
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What Is Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake?
Let’s break it down: it’s a “dump cake” because you literally dump the ingredients into a pan—no mixing bowls or electric mixers required. We’re layering juicy strawberry pie filling, swirls of cream cheese, and a buttery cake mix crust. The result? A cheesecake-meets-cobbler-style dessert that’s warm, gooey, and impossible to resist.
Reasons to Love This Dump Cake
Ridiculously easy – No fancy skills or equipment needed
5-minute prep – Just layer, bake, and devour
Sweet + tangy + buttery – Hits all the right flavor notes
Great for gatherings – Feeds a crowd and always disappears
Customizable – Use other pie fillings or switch up the cake mix
What Does It Taste Like?
Think cheesecake filling, but swirled with ripe, jammy strawberries and topped with a buttery, slightly crisp cake crust. It’s sweet, creamy, and slightly tangy in the best way. Every bite melts in your mouth. The edges get caramelized, the center stays soft—dessert heaven!!
Benefits of This Recipe
Crowd-pleasing and comforting
Minimal cleanup
Great for holidays, BBQs, or potlucks
Easily made gluten-free with one swap
Perfect make-ahead dessert
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for your Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake:
1 (21 oz) can strawberry pie filling
1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 box yellow or vanilla cake mix
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Optional: Fresh strawberries and whipped cream for topping
Tools You’ll Need
9×13-inch baking dish
Spatula or spoon
Measuring spoons
Knife (for cream cheese dollops)
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions
Cake mix: Try white, butter pecan, or even strawberry cake mix for extra berry flavor.
Cream cheese: Use flavored cream cheese like strawberry or honey walnut for a twist.
Fruit: Swap pie filling for cherry, blueberry, or raspberry.
Add-ins: Sprinkle with chopped pecans, white chocolate chips, or a cinnamon-sugar mix before baking.
How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth (or use a fork if you’re skipping the mixer). Drop spoonfuls over the strawberry filling.
Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly on top—don’t stir!
Drizzle melted butter evenly over the cake mix. Try to cover as much as possible for the best golden crust.
Bake for 40–45 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly around the edges.
Let it cool slightly before serving. It’s best warm, but also delicious at room temperature or chilled!
What to Serve with Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
A scoop of vanilla ice cream
Fresh whipped cream and sliced strawberries
A drizzle of white chocolate or strawberry sauce
Cold glass of milk or hot cup of coffee
Tips for the Best Dump Cake
Don’t stir the layers—dump cakes work best when layered as-is.
Use real butter (not margarine) for that rich, golden topping.
Soften your cream cheese fully so it’s easier to mix and dollop.
Add nuts on top before baking for a little crunch.
Want a cleaner slice? Chill before cutting—great for neat squares!
Storage Instructions
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze individual portions wrapped in plastic and foil for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
To reheat: Warm in the microwave for 20–30 seconds per serving or pop in a low oven until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! It’s great baked ahead and served warm or cold. You can also prep the layers and bake fresh when needed.
Do I need to soften the cream cheese?
Definitely. It makes it much easier to mix and spoon across the filling. Just leave it on the counter for 30 minutes.
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling?
For best results, stick to pie filling—it has the right texture and sweetness. Fresh berries won’t provide the same jammy base unless cooked down.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
You can make it gluten-free by using a certified gluten-free cake mix!
Conclusion
Whether you’re baking for a potluck, picnic, or just because—it doesn’t get easier or more delicious than this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake. It’s got that classic summer dessert feel but works any time of year. I’m kicking myself for not having shot it the last time I made it because wow—it was gone so fast!
Don’t forget to save this recipe and tag me on Pinterest if you try it—I LOVE seeing your creations.
More Sweet Recipes You’ll Love
Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars
No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake
Cherry Almond Dump Cake
Share Your Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake!
Tried it? Loved it? Tell me in the comments or leave a review below! And don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Pinterest so I can drool over your dessert plate 😍🍓
Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving)
Calories: 330
Sugar: 28g
Fat: 17g
Carbs: 39g
Protein: 3g
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Fruity, creamy, and crowned with a buttery golden topping—this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is your go-to for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 (21 oz) can strawberry pie filling
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 box yellow or vanilla cake mix
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- Optional: Fresh strawberries and whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Drop spoonfuls over the strawberry filling.
- Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly on top—do not stir.
- Drizzle melted butter evenly over the cake mix, covering as much as possible.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly around the edges.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Best warm, but also great chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Don’t stir the layers. Use real butter for the richest flavor. Chill for cleaner slices if desired.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: dump cake, strawberry, cheesecake, easy dessert, potluck, cake mix