The Ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

Craving a dessert that hits every note — creamy, fruity, buttery, and sweet — without spending hours in the kitchen? The Ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is your answer. This crowd-pleaser combines layers of tangy strawberry pie filling, rich cheesecake, and a buttery golden cake mix topping, all brought together with minimal effort. Whether you’re looking for easy dessert ideas, quick baking recipes, or delicious food ideas for a party or potluck, this dump cake delivers flavor and comfort in every bite. Serve it chilled for a summer treat or warm for a cozy winter dessert. It’s simple, spectacular, and guaranteed to make everyone ask for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: With just a few simple steps, you can whip up this delightful dessert in no time.
• Family-Friendly: Everyone loves the rich flavors of cheesecake combined with sweet strawberries — it’s a hit with kids and adults alike!
• Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Perfect for busy days!
• Customizable Toppings: Feel free to get creative with toppings! Fresh strawberries or a dusting of powdered sugar make it even more special.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a festive gathering, this cake fits right in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll love how simple and wholesome these ingredients are! Gather these pantry staples and fresh items to create The Ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake that everyone will adore.

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 2 cans (21 oz each) strawberry pie filling
• 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved or whole (optional for garnish)
• Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Variations

This recipe is super flexible! You can easily adjust it to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Here are some fun variations to try:

• Add Different Fruits: Swap out strawberry pie filling for blueberry or cherry pie filling to change up the flavor profile.
• Cream Cheese Swirl: Create swirls of cheesecake by only partially spreading the cream cheese mixture over the strawberries before adding the cake mix.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped nuts over the top before baking for an added crunch!
• Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted dairy-free chocolate over the whipped topping for an indulgent twist.

How to Make The Ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your dump cake bakes evenly from start to finish. Don’t forget to grease your 9×13-inch baking dish so that everything comes out easily after baking!

Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese Filling

In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy. This mixture is essential because it adds that rich cheesecake flavor that we all love!

Step 3: Layer the Strawberries

Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly at the bottom of your greased baking dish. This fruity layer not only provides sweetness but also keeps things wonderfully moist throughout baking.

Step 4: Add the Cheesecake Mixture

Spoon and gently spread your cream cheese mixture over the strawberry layer. Take your time here; you want to cover as much area as possible without disturbing the strawberry layer too much. This will create beautiful layers when baked!

Step 5: Sprinkle on Cake Mix

Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the top of your cheesecake layer. The beauty of a dump cake is that you don’t need to mix anything; just let those layers shine!

Step 6: Drizzle with Butter

Drizzle melted butter generously over the dry cake mix. This step is crucial as it helps create that golden crust while baking. Cover as much surface as possible for even results.

Step 7: Bake Away!

Place your dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 40–45 minutes or until it turns golden brown and bubbly on top. Your kitchen will smell heavenly during this time!

Step 8: Cool Down

Let your dump cake cool for about 30 minutes after removing it from the oven. If you prefer firmer layers, pop it in the fridge after cooling.

Step 9: Serve It Up!

Top with thawed whipped topping and fresh strawberries just before serving. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds an extra touch if you like! Enjoy every delicious bite of this delightful dessert!

Pro Tips for Making The Ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

Creating the perfect dump cake is all about the little details that make a big difference! Here are some pro tips to help you achieve dessert perfection:

• Use room temperature cream cheese: Ensuring your cream cheese is at room temperature makes it easier to blend smoothly with sugar and vanilla, resulting in a creamy cheesecake layer without any lumps.

• Don’t skimp on the butter: Drizzling melted butter over the dry cake mix not only provides flavor but also ensures the top layer bakes to a golden, crispy finish. Make sure to cover as much of the surface as possible!

• Adjust sweetness to your taste: If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the sugar in the cheesecake mixture or use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling for a more natural flavor.

• Experiment with fruit toppings: While strawberries are delightful, feel free to mix in other fruits like blueberries or raspberries for added color and flavor. Just be mindful that different fruits may alter the baking time slightly.

• Serve chilled for a refreshing twist: This dessert can be enjoyed warm right out of the oven, but chilling it in the fridge for a couple of hours allows the flavors to meld beautifully and gives you firmer layers.

How to Serve The Ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

Presenting your Ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake can turn an everyday dessert into something special. Here’s how you can serve it up beautifully!

Garnishes

• Fresh mint leaves: A few sprigs of mint add a pop of color and a refreshing flavor contrast.
• Chocolate shavings: For chocolate lovers, adding some chocolate shavings on top brings an extra layer of decadence.

Side Dishes

• Vanilla ice cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream complements the fruity flavors perfectly and adds an indulgent touch.

• Fruit salad: A light fruit salad made with seasonal fruits balances out the richness of the dump cake and keeps your meal feeling fresh.

• Whipped cream: Extra whipped cream on the side allows guests to add their desired amount for an even creamier experience.

With these serving suggestions, your Ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake will not only delight your taste buds but also impress your guests! Enjoy every delicious bite!

Make Ahead and Storage

This Ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is perfect for meal prep! You can easily make it in advance, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Plus, it’s a great way to have a delicious dessert ready for any occasion.

Storing Leftovers

• Allow the dump cake to cool completely before storing.
• Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing!

Freezing

• First, let the cake cool completely.
• Cut into individual portions for easier thawing later.
• Wrap each portion tightly with plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.
• Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.

Reheating

• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen.
• To reheat, place individual portions in the microwave and heat for about 30 seconds or until warmed through.
• For larger portions, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and heat covered with foil until warmed through.

FAQs

Here are some common questions about making The Ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake.

Can I make The Ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake ahead of time?

Yes! This dump cake can be made a day or two in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator after it has cooled down.

How do I store leftovers of The Ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze individual portions for longer storage.

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling?

Absolutely! You can substitute fresh strawberries by macerating them with sugar and using that mixture instead of pie filling for a fresh twist on this recipe.

Is there a gluten-free option for this dump cake?

Yes! Look for a gluten-free yellow cake mix as a substitute, and follow the rest of the recipe as directed.

Final Thoughts

I truly hope you enjoy making The Ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake. It’s such a delightful blend of flavors and textures that everyone will love! Whether it’s for a family gathering or just because you deserve something sweet, this recipe is sure to impress. Happy baking, and may your kitchen be filled with joy!