Can I use fresh strawberries instead of canned pie filling?

While fresh strawberries are delicious, they won't have the same consistency or sweetness as pie filling. If you want to use fresh berries, you'll need to cook them down with sugar and a thickener first to create a similar texture to pie filling.

My cream cheese didn't melt completely. Did I do something wrong?

Not at all! Those pockets of cream cheese are part of what makes this dessert special. If you prefer a more uniform consistency, you can soften the cream cheese and mix it with a little sugar before adding it to the cake.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! You can prepare it up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator before baking. Add about 5-10 minutes to the baking time if you're baking it straight from the refrigerator. Alternatively, bake it ahead of time and reheat before serving.

Is there a lower-sugar version of this recipe?

You can experiment with sugar-free cake mix and "light" pie filling, though the texture and flavor may vary slightly. The cream cheese helps balance the sweetness naturally, making this less cloying than many other desserts.

Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Recipe

Name: Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (15.25 oz) box vanilla or French vanilla cake mix; 1 stick (1/2 cup) of butter, melted; 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese; 2 (21 oz) cans of strawberry pie filling

This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is a game-changer for dessert lovers who crave something special without the fuss. It combines the rich creaminess of cheesecake with the sweet tang of strawberries, all topped with a buttery cake layer that bakes to golden perfection. In just 40 minutes, you’ll have a dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen—perfect for last-minute guests or satisfying your sweet tooth on busy weeknights!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ridiculously Simple: If you can open cans and melt butter, you can make this dessert! It truly lives up to the “dump cake” name—just layer and bake.
Time-Saver: With only 10 minutes of prep time, you can focus on enjoying your evening instead of standing in the kitchen.
Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of strawberries, cream cheese, and buttery cake creates a dessert that everyone raves about. Trust me, you’ll want to bring this to your next potluck!
Versatile: Serve it warm with ice cream for a cozy night in, or chill it for a refreshing summer treat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Vanilla or French Vanilla Cake Mix: The foundation of our dump cake that creates that perfect golden, slightly crisp top. The vanilla flavor complements the strawberries beautifully.
Butter: Creates that irresistible buttery, crisp topping when combined with the cake mix. It’s what transforms a simple cake mix into something magical.
Cream Cheese: Adds a tangy richness that cuts through the sweetness and gives this dessert that unmistakable cheesecake quality.
Strawberry Pie Filling: The star of the show! Provides sweet, juicy strawberry goodness and that beautiful ruby color throughout the cake.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to mix things up? Try these creative twists:

Berry Bonanza: Swap one can of strawberry filling for blueberry or raspberry pie filling for a mixed berry delight.
Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Use chocolate cake mix instead of vanilla for a chocolate-covered strawberry vibe.
Nutty Addition: Sprinkle chopped pecans or sliced almonds over the top before baking for added crunch.
Citrus Twist: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the strawberry filling for a bright, fresh flavor that enhances the berries.

How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Give your 9×13 baking dish a good spray with non-stick cooking spray to ensure your delicious dessert doesn’t stick.

Step 2: Create the Crumble Topping

In a medium bowl, melt your stick of butter, then add the cake mix. Mix with a fork until well combined and crumbly in texture. The mixture should resemble coarse sand. Set this aside while you work on the filling.

Step 3: Layer the Filling

Pour both cans of strawberry pie filling into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to cover the bottom. This creates the juicy strawberry layer that will bubble up through the cake.

Step 4: Add the Cream Cheese

Take your package of cream cheese and slice it into thin pieces. Distribute these slices evenly across the top of the strawberry filling. Don’t worry about covering every inch—as it bakes, the cream cheese will melt and create pockets of creamy goodness.

Step 5: Add the Crumble Topping

Sprinkle your buttery cake mixture evenly over the top, covering the strawberry and cream cheese layers. Try to get an even layer for consistent baking.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 30 minutes, or until you see the strawberry filling bubbling around the edges and the top has turned a light golden brown. Your kitchen will smell amazing!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Slice the cream cheese when cold: It’s much easier to get thin, even slices when the cream cheese is straight from the refrigerator.
Don’t overmix the cake topping: A fork works perfectly to create that crumbly texture. If you overmix, you’ll lose the delightful texture contrast.
Check for doneness: Look for bubbling strawberry filling and a golden top. If your cake is browning too quickly but not bubbling yet, cover loosely with foil.
Let it set briefly: Allow the cake to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set slightly while still keeping that wonderful warm quality.

How to Serve

This versatile dessert shines in so many ways:

Warm Indulgence

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate comfort dessert. The contrast between the warm cake and cold ice cream is simply divine.

Sweet Topping Options

Add a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of white chocolate for extra decadence.

Breakfast Treat

Believe it or not, this makes a fantastic special occasion breakfast casserole—think of it as a fruity coffee cake!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors actually get better after a day in the fridge!

Freezing

This dump cake freezes beautifully! Wrap individual portions or the entire (cooled) cake well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

For that fresh-baked taste, reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds until just warm. You can also reheat in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes from refrigerated, or 20 minutes from frozen.

FAQs

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of canned pie filling?

While fresh strawberries are delicious, they won’t have the same consistency or sweetness as pie filling. If you want to use fresh berries, you’ll need to cook them down with sugar and a thickener first to create a similar texture to pie filling.
My cream cheese didn’t melt completely. Did I do something wrong?

Not at all! Those pockets of cream cheese are part of what makes this dessert special. If you prefer a more uniform consistency, you can soften the cream cheese and mix it with a little sugar before adding it to the cake.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! You can prepare it up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator before baking. Add about 5-10 minutes to the baking time if you’re baking it straight from the refrigerator. Alternatively, bake it ahead of time and reheat before serving.
Is there a lower-sugar version of this recipe?

You can experiment with sugar-free cake mix and “light” pie filling, though the texture and flavor may vary slightly. The cream cheese helps balance the sweetness naturally, making this less cloying than many other desserts.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake truly embodies what makes home baking so rewarding—minimum effort for maximum flavor and happiness! The way the buttery cake layer meets the creamy cheesecake and juicy strawberries creates something so much greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or someone who rarely ventures into dessert-making, this recipe promises success and smiles. Go ahead and treat yourself to this simple yet impressive dessert tonight!