Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

If you’re looking for an easy dessert recipe that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is exactly what you need. It’s rich, creamy, fruity, buttery, and incredibly simple to make. With layers of sweet strawberry pie filling, smooth cheesecake cream, and a golden cake topping, this dessert combines the best of cheesecake and cobbler in one irresistible dish.

The best part? There’s no complicated mixing, no water bath, and no special equipment required. This dump cake recipe is perfect for beginners, busy families, holidays, potlucks, or whenever you’re craving something sweet and comforting.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

There are so many reasons this recipe is a favorite:

It requires only a few simple pantry ingredients
No mixer or special tools needed
Ready for the oven in under 10 minutes
Perfect balance of creamy and fruity textures
Great for gatherings and family dinners
Easily customizable with different fruit fillings

The creamy cheesecake layer melts beautifully into the strawberry filling while the buttery cake topping bakes into a soft, slightly crisp golden crust. Every bite is sweet, tangy, and comforting.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses basic ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store:

1 can (21 oz) strawberry pie filling
1 box (15.25 oz) yellow or vanilla cake mix
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Optional additions:

Fresh sliced strawberries
White chocolate chips
Crushed graham crackers
Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for serving

Step-by-Step Directions

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 spray.

Step 2: Add the Strawberry Layer

Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the baking dish. Make sure it fully covers the surface so every bite has that sweet strawberry flavor.

Step 3: Prepare the Cheesecake Mixture

In a medium bowl, combine:

Softened cream cheese
Sugar
Vanilla extract

Mix until smooth and creamy. You can use a spoon, whisk, or hand mixer.

Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the strawberry filling. Gently spread it out, but don’t worry about making it perfect — it will melt and spread while baking.

Step 4: Add the Cake Mix

Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the entire dish. Do not mix it with the layers underneath. This is what makes it a “dump cake.”

Step 5: Add the Butter

Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix. Try to cover as much of the dry mix as possible. This helps create a moist, golden topping.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly.

Your kitchen will smell amazing at this point!

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Allow the dump cake to cool for at least 20–30 minutes before serving. It will set slightly as it cools.

Serve warm for a gooey dessert or chilled for a firmer cheesecake-like texture.

Pro Tips for the Best Dump Cake

Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps.
If you see dry cake mix spots, lightly drizzle a little extra melted butter.
For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts on top before baking.
Let it rest before serving so the layers can settle properly.

Delicious Variations

This recipe is easy to customize:

Swap strawberry pie filling with cherry, blueberry, or peach.
Add fresh berries for extra fruit flavor.
Use chocolate cake mix for a chocolate-strawberry twist.
Mix crushed graham crackers into the cake mix for more cheesecake flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is perfect for:

Family gatherings
Holiday dinners
Summer BBQs
Potlucks
Birthday celebrations

Serve it with:

Vanilla ice cream
Fresh whipped cream
Powdered sugar dusting
Fresh strawberries on top

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat:

Microwave individual portions for 20–30 seconds.
Or warm in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes.

You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling?

Yes, but you will need to cook them with sugar and cornstarch to create a thick filling similar to canned pie filling.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare it a day in advance and refrigerate. Reheat slightly before serving.

Why is my topping powdery?

That usually means the butter didn’t fully cover the cake mix. Make sure to drizzle evenly.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is the perfect dessert when you want something easy, comforting, and crowd-pleasing. It combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the sweet brightness of strawberries and the buttery goodness of cake — all in one simple dish.

Whether you’re baking for your family or bringing dessert to a party, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit every time.