Easy Dessert • Creamy Cheesecake • Sweet Strawberries • Golden Cake Topping
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert made with juicy strawberry pie filling, creamy cheesecake pieces, and a buttery golden cake topping. It requires minimal preparation and no complicated mixing. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or enjoy it chilled for a delicious cheesecake-inspired treat!
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 45–55 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 10–12
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
Strawberry Layer - 2 cans (21 oz each) strawberry pie filling
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
Cheesecake Layer - 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon sour cream, optional, for extra creaminess
Cake Topping - 1 box (15.25 oz / approximately 432 g) vanilla or white cake mix
- ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
Optional Toppings - Fresh strawberries, sliced
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Strawberry sauce
- White chocolate shavings
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2: Add the Strawberry Filling
Spread both cans of strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla extract, if using.
Step 3: Prepare the Cheesecake Mixture
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and sour cream, if using, and mix until well combined.
Step 4: Add the Cheesecake Layer
Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the strawberry filling. Gently spread some of the mixture, leaving pockets of strawberry filling visible. It does not need to form a perfectly even layer.
Step 5: Add the Cake Mix
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the strawberry and cheesecake layers. Do not prepare the cake mix according to the box instructions. Use it dry.
Step 6: Pour on the Melted Butter
Slowly drizzle the melted butter over the dry cake mix, distributing it as evenly as possible. Try to moisten most of the surface. Sprinkle cinnamon over the top if desired.
Tip: If some dry patches remain, add a little extra melted butter to those areas rather than stirring the layers together.
Step 7: Bake
Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the strawberry filling is bubbling around the edges. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover it with foil for the remaining baking time.
Step 8: Cool and Set
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to rest for 15–20 minutes before serving. This helps the filling settle and makes it easier to scoop.
Step 9: Serve
Spoon the warm dump cake into dessert bowls. Add whipped cream, fresh strawberries, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-special dessert.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
- Use softened cream cheese: This makes the cheesecake mixture smooth and easier to distribute.
- Spread the butter evenly: Dry cake mix patches may remain powdery if they do not receive enough butter.
- Do not stir the layers: Keeping the ingredients layered creates the signature dump cake texture.
- Check the center: The topping should look baked and golden, with no large patches of dry cake mix.
- Let it rest: A short cooling period helps the filling thicken.
- Add a fresh finish: Fresh strawberries provide color and a bright contrast to the rich cake.
- Try another flavor: You can substitute cherry or blueberry pie filling for a different cheesecake-inspired dessert.
Nut Information and Allergens
Allergen Details
Tree nuts No nuts are intentionally added to the basic recipe.
Peanuts Not intentionally included.
Dairy Contains cream cheese and butter; cake mix may also contain milk ingredients.
Wheat/gluten Most conventional cake mixes contain wheat flour.
Eggs Some cake mixes contain egg ingredients or may carry egg-allergen warnings.
Soy Some cake mixes and processed ingredients may contain soy or soy derivatives.
Important allergy note: Always check the labels on the cake mix, pie filling, and other packaged ingredients. Manufacturing facilities may process peanuts and tree nuts, so check cross-contact warnings if serving someone with a serious allergy.
How to Make It Nut-Free
The basic recipe does not require nuts. Choose cake mix and pie filling labeled or verified as suitable for your guest’s allergy needs, and use clean utensils and baking equipment to prevent cross-contact.
Approximate Nutrition Information
Estimated per serving, assuming 12 servings:
- Calories: 400–470
- Protein: 3–5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55–65 g
- Total fat: 18–23 g
- Saturated fat: 9–13 g
- Sugar: 35–45 g
- Fiber: 1–2 g
- Sodium: 300–450 mg
Nutrition varies by brand, ingredient amounts, and serving size. Optional toppings are not included.
Storage Instructions - Refrigerator: Store covered in the refrigerator for 3–4 days because the dessert contains cream cheese.
- Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave in short intervals until heated through.
- Freezing: Freeze cooled portions in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months for best quality. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating; the texture may change slightly.
- Serving safety: Do not leave the dessert at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q1: Why is it called a dump cake?
It is called a dump cake because the ingredients are layered directly in the baking dish without preparing a traditional cake batter.
Q2: Do I need to mix the dry cake mix with water, eggs, or oil?
No. Sprinkle the dry cake mix directly over the filling, then drizzle the melted butter on top.
Q3: Can I use fresh strawberries instead of canned pie filling?
Yes, but fresh strawberries do not have the same thick, sweet consistency. Cook them with sugar and a little cornstarch first to create a thick filling before assembling the dessert.
Q4: Can I use strawberry cake mix instead of vanilla cake mix?
Yes. Strawberry cake mix adds extra strawberry flavor and a more colorful topping. White or vanilla cake mix gives a classic cheesecake-style taste.
Q5: Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Yes. Bake it ahead, allow it to cool, cover, and refrigerate. Reheat portions before serving or serve chilled.
Q6: Why is my dump cake topping still powdery?
The melted butter may not have covered the dry cake mix evenly. Next time, drizzle the butter slowly across the entire surface, paying special attention to dry patches.
Q7: Can I use salted butter?
Yes. Salted butter works well, but the finished dessert may taste slightly saltier. No additional salt is needed.
Q8: Can I make this recipe without cream cheese?
Yes, but it will become a strawberry dump cake rather than a cheesecake dump cake. For the cheesecake flavor, keep the cream cheese layer.
Q9: Should I serve it warm or cold?
Both are delicious. Warm servings have a soft, gooey filling and pair beautifully with ice cream. Chilled servings have a firmer, cheesecake-like texture.
Q10: How do I know when the dump cake is fully baked?
Look for a golden topping and bubbling strawberry filling around the edges. The cake mix should not have large dry, powdery patches.
Q11: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes. Use a gluten-free cake mix and verify that all other ingredients are suitable for your dietary needs. Check the package directions because baking times and texture may vary.
Q12: Is this recipe suitable for people with nut allergies?
It contains no intentionally added nuts, but it is not automatically safe for someone with a nut allergy. Verify every ingredient label and prevent cross-contact during preparation.
Serving Ideas
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
- Add fresh strawberry slices and whipped cream.
- Dust lightly with powdered sugar after cooling.
- Serve in small dessert cups for parties and potlucks.
- Add white chocolate shavings for a festive finish.
Recipe Summary
This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake combines sweet strawberry filling, creamy cheesecake pockets, and a buttery golden topping in one simple baking dish. With just a few ingredients and minimal preparation, it is a wonderful choice for family gatherings, holidays, potlucks, and weekend desserts.
Enjoy every sweet, creamy strawberry bite!