Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

This strawberry cheesecake dump cake transforms simple pantry ingredients into a warm, indulgent dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The beauty lies in its simplicity—just layer, bake, and enjoy a dessert that combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the fruity sweetness of strawberries.

I first made this dump cake for a last-minute dinner party when I had absolutely no time for an elaborate dessert. The guests were so impressed they thought I had spent the afternoon baking, and now it's my secret weapon for effortless entertaining.

Ingredients

• Strawberry pie filling: Offers sweet fruit flavor and beautiful color without any prep work
• Yellow cake mix: Provides the perfect cobbler like topping and sweet base for the dessert
• Cream cheese: Creates pockets of creamy tanginess that balances the sweetness
• Butter: Transforms the cake mix into a golden crumbly topping
• Whipped cream: Adds a light finishing touch that melts beautifully over the warm cake

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Pan:

Spread the strawberry pie filling across the bottom of a greased 13x9 inch baking dish. Take care to spread it evenly to ensure every slice has plenty of fruit flavor. The filling creates the moisture that helps transform the other ingredients while baking.

Create The First Layer:

Sprinkle one entire box of yellow cake mix over the strawberry filling. Be sure to cover it completely and evenly, as this layer forms the foundation of your cheesecake flavor profile.

Add The Cream Cheese:

Cube the cream cheese into small pieces about half an inch in size and dot them across the cake mix layer. These pieces will melt during baking to create pockets of creamy cheesecake goodness throughout the dessert.

Complete The Layers:

Cover everything with the second box of cake mix, ensuring you create an even layer across the top. This double layer of cake mix is what gives the dessert its distinctive texture.

Finish With Butter:

Pour the melted butter evenly over the entire surface of the cake mix. The butter will help the top layer turn golden and develop a delicious crumbly texture as it bakes.

Bake To Perfection:

Place in a preheated 350° oven for 45 to 50 minutes. Look for a set top and bubbly filling around the edges. The top should be golden brown and smell wonderfully buttery when done.

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The cream cheese pockets in this dessert are what truly elevate it from a standard dump cake to something special. The first time my daughter took a bite, she exclaimed it was like having "strawberry cheesecake and birthday cake all in one dessert!" That perfect description has stuck with our family ever since.

Make Ahead Magic

You can assemble this dessert up to 24 hours before baking. Simply prepare all the layers except the butter, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove from the refrigerator, pour over the melted butter, and add about 5 minutes to the baking time.

Serving Suggestions

This dump cake is exceptionally versatile when it comes to serving. While delicious warm with a dollop of whipped cream, it can be transformed into an even more decadent dessert when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a special brunch offering, serve it at room temperature alongside a cup of coffee. The contrast between the warm dessert and cold topping creates a delightful sensory experience.

Seasonal Twists

While the recipe calls for canned strawberry pie filling for convenience, you can elevate this dessert in summer by making a quick homemade strawberry filling with fresh berries. Simply cook down 4 cups of sliced strawberries with 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cornstarch until thickened, then cool slightly before using in place of the canned filling.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different fruit filling?

Yes, you can substitute the strawberry pie filling with other fruit fillings like cherry, blueberry, or peach for a different flavor.

→ What kind of cake mix works best?

Yellow cake mix is recommended, but you can also use white or butter cake mix for equally tasty results.

→ Do I need to soften the cream cheese?

No, the cream cheese can be cubed and added directly as it will melt during baking.

→ Can this dessert be served cold?

While it's best served warm with whipped cream, you can refrigerate leftovers and enjoy them cold as well.

→ How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.