Pin it
My strawberry dump cake is one of those magical desserts that takes almost no effort but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Fresh strawberries bubble up through a buttery golden topping to create the most amazing cobbler style treat. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and watch everyone's eyes light up.
The Easiest Dessert Ever
I love sharing this recipe because people can't believe how simple it is. Just layer everything in a pan and let your oven work its magic. No mixing bowls to wash no complicated steps just pure dessert happiness.
What You'll Need
- Fresh Strawberries: Cut them nice and thick they're the star of the show.
- Sugar: Just enough to bring out those sweet berry flavors.
- Cornstarch: This helps make that gorgeous syrupy filling.
- Lemon Juice: Makes those strawberries really pop.
- Cake Mix: I use yellow or white either works beautifully.
- Butter: Slice it thin for that perfect golden top.
Let's Make Some Magic
- Get Started
- Grab your favorite 13×9 pan give it a quick grease and heat up that oven to 350°F.
- Berry Time
- Mix those lovely strawberries with sugar cornstarch and lemon juice right in your pan.
- Add The Topping
- Sprinkle your cake mix over those berries like a sweet blanket.
- Finish With Butter
- Layer those thin butter slices all over the top try to cover every bit.
Pin it
Baking Your Cake
Pop it in the oven for about 40 minutes. I love peeking through the oven window to watch those berries bubble up and the top turn golden. Halfway through I usually spread any melted butter over dry spots.
The Perfect Serving
There's nothing better than serving this warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. That combo of warm fruit crispy topping and cold creamy ice cream is absolutely heavenly.
Keeping It Fresh
If you have any leftovers just cover the pan and pop it in your fridge. It'll stay good for about a week. A quick minute in the microwave brings back all that warm gooey goodness.
Fresh vs Canned Berries
Fresh strawberries make this cake extra special. Sure you could use pie filling but there's something magical about fresh berries getting all syrupy in the oven.
Pin it
Playing With Different Cake Mixes
Yellow cake mix is my go to but sometimes I switch it up with white or butter cake mix. Each one brings its own special touch to the dessert.
Getting That Perfect Top
The secret to that gorgeous golden top is all in how you slice your butter. I go nice and thin and watch it while it bakes spreading any pools of butter over dry spots.
Making It Your Own
Sometimes I add a pinch of cinnamon or throw in some blueberries with the strawberries. That's what's fun about cooking making each recipe uniquely yours.
My Best Tips
Here's a little trick let those strawberries sit in the sugar mix for a few minutes before adding the cake mix. They'll release their juices and make an even better filling.
Pin it
Ice Cream Pairings
While vanilla ice cream is classic try this with strawberry or even lemon sorbet. Each brings something special to the party.
The Magic of Lemon
Don't skip that squeeze of lemon juice it really makes the strawberry flavor shine. It's like turning up the volume on your favorite song.
Better Than Cobbler
This gives you all the comfort of grandma's cobbler but so much easier to make. Perfect when you want something homey but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Summer's Best Dessert
This is my go to when strawberries are at their peak. It's like summer sunshine in a pan perfect for backyard BBQs or just because.
Good All Year Round
While I love making this with fresh summer strawberries it works beautifully with other fruits too. Try peaches in late summer or apples in fall.
Using Frozen Berries
When fresh strawberries aren't in season frozen ones work great too. Just thaw and drain them first so your cake isn't too wet.
Why Everyone Loves This
It's amazing how something so simple can make people so happy. That's the beauty of dump cakes they're nearly impossible to mess up but always delicious.
Pure Dessert Joy
This strawberry dump cake has become one of my most requested recipes. It's simple sweet and always brings smiles to the table. Sometimes the easiest recipes make the best memories.
Pin it
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why spread the melted butter after baking starts?
- Spreading the melted butter after 8-10 minutes helps ensure even coverage and prevents dry spots of cake mix in the final dessert.
- → Why add cornstarch to the strawberries?
- Cornstarch thickens the strawberry juice as it cooks, creating a nice sauce instead of letting the juice stay watery.
- → Can I use frozen strawberries?
- Fresh strawberries are recommended as they release less liquid. If using frozen, thaw and drain them well first to prevent the cake from becoming too wet.
- → How do I know when it's done?
- The cake is done when the filling bubbles, the center puffs up, and the top has browned, typically after 35-45 minutes.
- → How should I store leftovers?
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warm before serving.