Okay, real talk—sometimes you just don’t feel like measuring 12 things, sifting flour, or busting out every bowl in your kitchen just to get a decent dessert. I feel you. That’s why Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is the hero we didn’t know we needed.
This cake is easy. Like ridiculously easy. You “dump” everything in a pan, toss it in the oven, and boom—out comes this gooey, buttery, creamy dream that tastes like a slice of summer. If you’re into strawberries, cheesecake, or cake mix hacks (honestly, who isn’t?), then buckle up, friend. This one’s for you.
Why Everyone’s Obsessed with Dump Cakes
So, if you’ve never made a dump cake before, don’t worry. You’re not alone—I was pretty skeptical at first too. I mean, it sounds kinda weird, right? But the whole idea is: minimal effort, max flavor. You just layer a few ingredients (no stirring, no mixers), and let the oven do the work.
And this strawberry cheesecake version? Oh man. It hits that sweet spot between creamy and crumbly, fruity and rich. Think: cheesecake vibes without all the fuss. And let’s be honest—no one wants to deal with water baths or cracked tops.
Ingredients You’ll Need (Nothing Fancy, I Promise)
Here’s the best part: you probably already have half this stuff in your pantry.
For a 9×13 pan, grab:
- 1 box vanilla or white cake mix
- 1 can (21 oz) strawberry pie filling
- 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream (yep, that’s the cheesecake magic)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, sliced thin
- Optional: fresh strawberries or crushed graham crackers for topping
Step-by-Step (Or Honestly, Just Throw It Together)
Alright, no judgment here—dump cakes are meant to be casual. But here’s how I do it for that just-right texture:
1. Preheat Your Oven
Set it to 350°F. Get that baby nice and warm while you prep.
2. Dump the Strawberry Filling
Spread the entire can of strawberry pie filling across the bottom of your greased 9×13 baking dish. I sometimes swirl in a little strawberry jam too when I’m feelin’ extra.
3. Make the Cheesecake Dollops
In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth-ish. Doesn’t have to be perfect. Drop spoonfuls of this mix all over the pie filling. No need to spread it out—those creamy pockets are the chef’s kiss.
4. Sprinkle the Cake Mix
Evenly pour the dry cake mix right over everything. Yep, just dump it on top. No stirring.
5. Butter It Up
Lay the thin slices of butter all over the top. Try to cover as much as you can so it bakes evenly and gets golden on top.
6. Bake and Smell the Magic
Pop it in the oven for 45–50 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly around the edges. It might look a little rustic—don’t worry, that’s part of the charm.
Pro Tips from My Messy Kitchen
- Use parchment under the pan if you’re afraid of spillovers. This one gets bubbly!
- Want extra crunch? Sprinkle crushed graham crackers or chopped nuts on top before baking.
- Let it cool a little before serving. I know, I know—it smells amazing—but it thickens up a bit after 10–15 minutes.
How to Serve It (Because, Honestly, You Deserve It)
Spoon it into a bowl warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream? Yes.
Serve it chilled straight from the fridge for a cool, cheesecake-y treat? Also yes.
I once brought this to a July 4th BBQ and had three people ask me for the recipe before we even got to fireworks. It’s one of those desserts—super easy but makes you look like a kitchen genius.
Make It Your Own
Wanna switch it up? You totally can:
- Try blueberry pie filling with lemon zest in the cream cheese mix. Summer in a bite.
- Use chocolate cake mix with cherry filling for a Black Forest kind of situation.
- Go halfsies—strawberry on one side, blueberry on the other. Let the crowd pick a side (or mix ’em!).
Final Thoughts (AKA, Just Make the Dang Cake)
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much the first time I made this. But then I took one bite, and it was like my tastebuds threw a party. It’s fruity, creamy, buttery, and just so easy.
If you’re craving a crowd-pleasing dessert that takes 10 minutes to throw together and makes you feel like you know what you’re doing in the kitchen (even when you’re just winging it)—Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is your new go-to.
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