Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

Introduction & Inspiration

I’m always on the lookout for dessert recipes that are incredibly simple to make but deliver a truly impressive and satisfying result, especially ones that come together with minimal fuss. This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake immediately caught my eye! It combines the sweet, fruity goodness of strawberry pie filling with tangy pockets of cream cheese, all topped with a buttery, crumbly cake mix layer. It sounded like the ultimate easy comfort dessert.

My inspiration came from wanting a quick dessert that captured the beloved flavors of strawberry cheesecake without the effort of making a traditional cheesecake or even a complex cobbler. Dump cakes are renowned for their “dump, layer, and bake” simplicity, and this version with a cheesecake twist seemed particularly irresistible.

My goal was to explore this specific recipe, highlighting just how effortlessly these few ingredients transform into a warm, bubbly, and delicious dessert. It looked perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or anytime you need a quick, impressive sweet treat that requires almost no baking skill.

Let’s get ready to “dump” our way to a fantastic strawberry cheesecake dessert!

Nostalgic Appeal / Comfort Food Connection

This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake taps into multiple layers of comforting nostalgia. “Dump cakes” themselves are a classic American dessert category, beloved since the mid-20th century for their incredible ease and reliance on convenient pantry staples like canned fruit and cake mixes. They evoke memories of potlucks, church socials, and simple, no-fuss family desserts.  

Strawberry desserts, particularly those involving pie filling or a creamy element, are universally loved and often associated with summertime, comfort, and simple pleasures. The flavor of strawberry cheesecake is another modern classic, combining fruity sweetness with tangy cream cheese richness.

This recipe beautifully marries the nostalgic ease of a dump cake with the comforting and popular flavors of strawberry and cheesecake. It feels both wonderfully retro and satisfyingly indulgent.

Making and eating this cake feels like enjoying a familiar, comforting favorite with a delightful textural twist – the bubbly fruit, the creamy cheese, and the buttery crumble topping.

Homemade Focus (Effortless Layering, Simple Ingredients)

While this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake relies heavily on convenient store-bought ingredients (cake mix, canned pie filling, cream cheese), the “homemade” magic comes from the simple act of layering these components to create a unique and delicious dessert. The focus here is on effortless assembly yielding a warm, comforting, homemade-tasting treat.

I absolutely adore recipes that prove impressive desserts don’t need to be complicated. This recipe is the epitome of that philosophy. You’re not making a batter from scratch or a complex crust; instead, you’re strategically layering readily available items and letting the oven do the transformative work.

The simple act of mixing the dry cake mix with melted butter to create a crumbly topping is a key “homemade” step that differentiates this from just sprinkling dry mix. Arranging slices of cream cheese over the pie filling is another simple touch that adds that crucial cheesecake element.

Despite using several shortcuts, the process of layering these ingredients and baking them until bubbly and golden results in a warm, satisfying dessert that feels much more special than the minimal effort suggests. It’s homemade comfort made incredibly easy.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal of this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is a warm, gooey, sweet, and slightly tangy dessert with contrasting textures. It aims for the comforting flavors of strawberry pie and cheesecake combined with a buttery, tender-crisp cake crumble topping.

The strawberry pie filling provides the sweet, fruity, and slightly syrupy base, bubbling up around the other ingredients.

The slices of cream cheese melt slightly into the strawberry filling, creating pockets of tangy, creamy cheesecake-like flavor and texture that balance the sweetness of the fruit.

The topping, a simple mixture of vanilla or French vanilla cake mix and melted butter, bakes into a golden brown, buttery, crumbly, and slightly tender cake-like layer.

The overall effect is a delightful combination of warm, sweet strawberry filling, creamy tangy cheesecake pockets, and a buttery, crumbly cake topping – pure comfort food indulgence.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s explore the key components of this easy dessert:

• Vanilla or French vanilla cake mix: Used DRY and mixed with butter. This forms the crumbly, buttery topping. The flavor of the cake mix complements the fruit and cream cheese.
• Butter, melted: Mixed with the dry cake mix to create the topping, providing richness, flavor, and helping it brown and crisp slightly.  
• Cream cheese (1 package, 8 oz): Sliced thinly and layered over the fruit. Provides pockets of tangy, creamy cheesecake flavor. Softening it slightly might make slicing easier, though not specified.  
• Strawberry pie filling (2 cans, 21 oz each): The sweet, fruity base of the dump cake. Using canned pie filling makes this incredibly easy.  

Incredibly simple ingredients for a decadent result!

Essential Equipment

This recipe requires very basic kitchen tools:

• A 9×13 inch baking dish: The standard size for dump cakes. Glass or metal works.
• Non-stick cooking spray: For greasing the baking dish.
• A medium-sized bowl: For mixing the cake mix and melted butter.
• A fork or spoon: For mixing the topping.
• A knife: For slicing the cream cheese.
• A spatula (optional): For spreading the pie filling evenly.
• Measuring cups (though most ingredients are pre-measured by package).

Minimal equipment for maximum ease!

List of Ingredients with Measurements

Here’s the complete list of ingredients, with precise measurements:

• 1 (15.25 oz) box Vanilla or French vanilla cake mix
• 1 stick (1/2 cup / 113g) butter, melted
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
• 2 (21 oz) cans of Strawberry pie filling  
• (Implied: Non-stick cooking spray)

These quantities are perfect for a standard 9×13 inch dump cake.

Have butter melted before you begin assembly.

Step-by-Step Instructions (Effortless Layering!)

Let’s assemble and bake this incredibly simple dessert:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Spray your 9×13 inch baking dish generously with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Prepare Crumbly Cake Topping:

• In a medium-sized bowl, pour in the dry vanilla or French vanilla cake mix.
• Add the melted stick of butter to the cake mix.
• Using a fork, mix the melted butter and dry cake mix together until it’s well combined and has a consistently crumbly texture. Set this mixture aside.

3. Layer Strawberry Pie Filling:

• Pour both cans of strawberry pie filling into the bottom of the prepared 9×13 baking dish.
• Spread the pie filling out evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon to cover the entire bottom of the dish.

4. Layer Cream Cheese:

• Open your package of cream cheese. Slice the block of cream cheese into thin pieces (about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick).
• Arrange the thin slices of cream cheese evenly on top of the strawberry pie filling layer. Try to cover as much of the surface as possible for even distribution of cheesecake flavor.

5. Add Crumbly Cake Topping:

• Take the prepared crumbly cake mix and butter mixture.
• Sprinkle it evenly over the cream cheese and strawberry pie filling layers, ensuring the entire surface is covered.

6. Bake:

• Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
• Bake for 30 minutes, or until the strawberry filling is bubbling around the edges and the cake topping is lightly golden brown and appears mostly set.

7. Cool Slightly and Serve:

• Carefully remove the dump cake from the oven.
• Let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. It will be very hot and the filling needs to set slightly.
• Serve warm, spooned into bowls.

So easy, it practically makes itself!

Troubleshooting

Dump cakes are generally foolproof, but here are a few potential issues:

• Problem: Topping has dry patches of cake mix.
  • Solution: Ensure the melted butter was thoroughly and evenly mixed into the dry cake mix to moisten all of it before sprinkling it on top. Make sure the crumble layer is relatively even.
• Problem: Topping is soggy or didn’t crisp.
  • Solution: The “crispness” of a dump cake topping is usually more of a tender-crisp or crumbly texture rather than truly crunchy. Ensure the oven was properly preheated. If it seems very soggy, it might be slightly underbaked – bake a few minutes longer until golden.
• Problem: Cream cheese didn’t melt nicely/stayed in chunks.
  • Solution: Slice the cream cheese thinly as instructed. Using cream cheese that’s slightly softened (though the recipe doesn’t specify to soften it, it often helps with melting) can lead to a smoother integration. It’s normal for it to create pockets of cheesecake flavor rather than a fully uniform layer.
• Problem: Filling is extremely runny even after cooling.
  • Solution: Ensure it baked long enough for the pie filling to bubble vigorously. Canned pie filling is already thickened, so this is less common. Let it cool significantly; it will thicken more upon cooling.

This is a very forgiving dessert.

Tips and Variations

Let’s customize this easy dump cake:

• Tip: Use your favorite brand of vanilla or French vanilla cake mix and strawberry pie filling.
• Variation: Substitute cherry pie filling for the strawberry, and perhaps a chocolate cake mix for the topping, for a “Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Dump Cake.”
• Tip: For easier slicing of the cream cheese, chill it briefly in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
• Variation: Add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the cake mix crumble topping for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Tip: Ensure the cake is allowed to cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving; the filling will be extremely hot and will set up better as it cools.
• Variation: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the cake mix crumble or sprinkle it over the cream cheese layer for a bright citrus note to complement the strawberry.
• Variation: Use different flavored cake mixes like yellow cake or even lemon cake mix.

So many simple ways to change it up!

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is a warm, comforting dessert perfect for sharing.

Serving: Best served warm, spooned into bowls.

Pairing:

• Essential: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream is the absolute perfect accompaniment, with the cold ice cream melting into the warm, gooey cake.
• Alternative: A dollop of fresh whipped cream or Cool Whip also works beautifully.
• Occasions: Fantastic for potlucks, family dinners, casual gatherings, or anytime you need a super easy and impressive dessert.
• Beverages: Pairs well with coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk.

It’s pure comfort in a bowl!

Nutritional Information

This is an indulgent dessert made with cake mix, pie filling, cream cheese, and butter. Nutritional info is highly approximate (per serving, assuming 10-12 servings):  

• Calories: 350-450+
• Fat: 15-25+ grams
• Saturated Fat: 8-15+ grams (High from butter and cream cheese)
• Cholesterol: 30-50+ mg
• Sodium: 250-400+ mg (Cake mixes and pie fillings vary)
• Total Carbs.: 50-65+ grams
• Dietary Fiber: 1-2 grams
• Sugars: 35-50+ grams (Very high from cake mix, pie filling)
• Protein: 3-5 grams

Definitely a dessert treat, high in sugar and fat. Enjoy in moderation!

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Recipe Summary and Q&A

Let’s conclude with a summary and common questions:

Recipe Summary:

Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is an incredibly easy dessert made by layering strawberry pie filling and slices of cream cheese in a 9×13 baking dish. This is topped with a crumbly mixture of dry vanilla cake mix and melted butter. The cake is baked until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown, then served warm.  

Q&A:

Q: Can I make this ahead of time? A: Yes. You can bake it completely, let it cool, then cover and refrigerate. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or serve it at room temperature.

Q: How do I store leftovers? A: Store leftover dump cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Q: Can I freeze this dump cake? A: Yes, it generally freezes well. Cool completely, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, or transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently if desired.

Q: Can I use a different fruit pie filling? A: Absolutely! Cherry, blueberry, peach, or apple pie filling would all work well with the vanilla cake mix and cream cheese.

Q: Do I prepare the cake mix according to package directions? A: No, for this dump cake, you use the dry cake mix powder and mix it with the melted butter to create a crumbly topping. Do not add eggs, oil, or water to the cake mix itself.