I’m so excited to share this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake recipe with you today! It’s the perfect marriage of tangy cream cheese, sweet strawberries, and buttery cake mix—all with minimal effort on your part. Don’t you love desserts that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen when really you just dumped a few ingredients together? The magic happens in the oven as the layers meld into something truly special. Wait until you see how incredibly simple it is to create this showstopper…
Why You’ll Love this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
If you’re looking for a dessert that combines the best of both worlds, this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is about to become your new favorite. I adore how it brings together creamy cheesecake and fruity strawberry in one irresistibly simple package.
What makes this recipe special? For starters, it requires minimal effort—just layer, dump, and bake. The contrasting textures are divine: velvety cream cheese, sweet strawberry filling, and that perfectly crisp buttery cake topping.
Can you imagine a more perfect dessert for potlucks or family gatherings? Plus, it stores beautifully in the fridge, where the flavors continue to meld together.
What Ingredients are in Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake?
This dreamy dessert comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients that create magic in the oven.
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 can (21oz) strawberry pie filling
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
For the best results, make sure your cream cheese is properly softened before mixing, and consider having some whipped cream on hand for serving if you want to take this already decadent dessert to the next level.
How to Make this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
This guarantees your delicious dump cake won’t stick to the pan, which would be nothing short of a dessert tragedy.
Step 2: Mix the Cheesecake Layer
Beat the 8oz package of softened cream cheese with 1/3 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until completely smooth.
Getting this layer right is key—nobody wants to bite into lumps of cream cheese, no matter how much we love the stuff.
Step 3: Create the Base Layer
Spread your cream cheese mixture evenly across the bottom of the greased baking dish.
Think of this as creating the foundation for your dessert masterpiece.
Step 4: Add the Fruity Layer
Top the cream cheese layer with the entire 21oz can of strawberry pie filling.
The vibrant red against the creamy white makes for a gorgeous contrast—and wait until you taste them together!
Step 5: Sprinkle the Cake Mix
Evenly distribute the dry white cake mix over the strawberry filling.
Yes, that’s right—completely dry. No mixing with water or eggs.
This is where the “dump” part of dump cake really shines.
Step 6: Add the Butter
Pour 1/2 cup of melted butter over the cake mix layer, trying to cover as much of the dry mix as possible.
The butter will work its magic during baking, transforming that powdery layer into golden, buttery cake.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown.
Your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly as the layers meld together in the oven.
Step 8: Serve and Store
Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving.
For best results, use a premium mixer set to ensure your cream cheese layer is perfectly smooth and lump-free.
For leftovers (if there are any!), refrigerate them to maintain that perfect creamy texture.
And remember, a dollop of whipped cream on top takes this already incredible dessert to cloud nine.
What to Serve with Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
This sweet, creamy dessert is already a showstopper on its own, but a few perfect pairings can make the experience even more memorable. A dollop of homemade whipped cream is the obvious first choice—just beat some heavy cream with a touch of sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
For a temperature contrast that’ll make your taste buds dance, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream that slowly melts into the warm cake. Fresh berries on the side bring a bright, tart element that balances the richness, while a cup of strong black coffee or espresso cuts through the sweetness beautifully.
For an elegant after-dinner treat, serve small slices alongside glasses of champagne or prosecco—the bubbles complement the dense, creamy texture in the most delightful way.
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Substitutions and Variations
Don’t have everything on hand? No problem! This versatile dessert welcomes creativity:
- Flavor Swaps: Replace strawberry pie filling with blueberry, cherry, or peach for a seasonal twist. Mixed berry creates a gorgeous purple-red swirl!
- Dietary Needs: For gluten-free, use a gluten-free cake mix. Dairy-free? Try vegan cream cheese and coconut oil instead of butter.
- Cake Mix Options: Yellow cake mix adds a buttery richness, while lemon cake mix creates a tangy-sweet combo that’s divine with strawberries.
- Add-Ins: Sprinkle 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or sliced almonds before baking for extra texture and flavor.
- Fancy Touches: For company, add lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture or drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze after cooling slightly.
- Lower Sugar: Use reduced-sugar pie filling and replace half the sugar with a natural sweetener like monk fruit.
Leftovers and Storage for this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
This delightful dessert keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, though I find the flavors actually meld and deepen after the first day.
Simply cover your baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer portions to airtight containers.
For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator when the craving strikes.
To refresh leftovers, let them come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving—cold cheesecake can be a bit firm.
Want it warm? A 10-second microwave zap works wonders, but don’t overdo it or the cream cheese layer will become runny.
Pro tip: Store with a paper towel under the lid to absorb excess moisture and prevent sogginess in the cake layer.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake truly embodies what comfort desserts are all about—minimal effort with maximum satisfaction.
The marriage of tangy cream cheese, sweet strawberry filling, and buttery cake topping creates something greater than the sum of its humble parts.
It’s the perfect dessert for those busy weeknights when you need something special without the fuss, or when unexpected guests arrive and you want to impress without hours in the kitchen.
The beauty of dump cakes lies in their unpretentious nature, reminding us that sometimes the simplest recipes create the most cherished memories around the table.
