Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to Make: With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, this dessert comes together quickly and bakes into a golden, delicious treat.
Sweet and Creamy: The cream cheese layer creates a creamy, rich base that pairs perfectly with the tangy strawberries and buttery cake topping.
No Mixing Required: Just “dump” the ingredients in layers, making it super simple to prepare.
Perfect for Any Occasion: This dessert is versatile enough to serve for a weeknight treat, a holiday gathering, or a potluck.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix (or yellow cake mix)
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 can (21 oz) strawberry pie filling
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)

Directions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. You can add a tablespoon of powdered sugar to sweeten the cream cheese layer if desired, but this is optional. Spread the cream cheese evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Add the Strawberry Pie Filling: Spoon the strawberry pie filling over the cream cheese layer. Spread it out evenly, covering the entire surface.
Top with Cake Mix: Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the strawberry layer. Do not mix it; just sprinkle it directly on top to create a crumbly topping.
Add Butter: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix. The butter will soak into the dry cake mix during baking, creating a buttery, golden topping.
Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly.
Serve: Let the cake cool slightly before serving. You can serve it as is, or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added indulgence.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 8-12 (depending on portion size)
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Baking Time: 40-45 minutes
Total Time: 50-55 minutes

Variations

Fruit Variations: Swap the strawberry pie filling for other fruit pie fillings like blueberry, peach, or cherry. Each variation will bring its own unique flavor to the dessert.
Cheesecake Flavor: Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cream cheese layer for a deeper cheesecake flavor.
Crispier Topping: For an even crunchier topping, add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts) to the cake mix before baking.
Homemade Cake Mix: You can use a homemade cake mix if you prefer. Just make sure to follow the proportions of a traditional cake mix recipe.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftover dump cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: This dump cake can be frozen for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: To reheat, microwave individual servings for 20-30 seconds or bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

FAQs

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling?

Yes, you can use fresh or frozen strawberries, but you’ll need to make your own strawberry sauce or filling. Simply cook the strawberries with a little sugar until they break down and thicken, and then use that in place of the pie filling.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes! This dessert can be prepared the day before and refrigerated. Just reheat it before serving.

Can I use other flavored cake mixes?

Absolutely! Feel free to use chocolate, lemon, or any other cake mix flavor to give this dessert a different twist.

Is this dessert gluten-free?

This version uses regular cake mix, so it’s not gluten-free. However, you can use a gluten-free cake mix to make it gluten-free.

Can I make this without the cream cheese?

Yes, if you prefer, you can omit the cream cheese layer and just use the strawberry pie filling and cake mix. It will still be delicious but without the creamy texture.

Conclusion

Strawberry Cream Cheese Dump Cake is a delightful, easy-to-make dessert that combines the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy in every bite. With just a few ingredients and simple steps, this cake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating or simply craving something sweet, this dump cake is guaranteed to satisfy your dessert cravings. Enjoy!