I’m constantly on the hunt for desserts that deliver maximum flavor with minimum fuss, and this Luscious Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake absolutely fits the bill. There’s something magical about the combination of tangy cream cheese, sweet strawberries, and buttery cake that makes my taste buds dance with joy. The best part? You literally dump the ingredients in a pan and let the oven do the heavy lifting. Want to know my secret trick for getting that perfect texture balance between creamy and crumbly?
Why You’ll Love this Luscious Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
This strawberry cheesecake dump cake might just become your new favorite dessert—trust me. It combines everything wonderful about strawberry cheesecake with the ridiculous simplicity of a dump cake. Who doesn’t love that?
The layers of sweet strawberry filling, fresh berries, and creamy cheesecake blend perfectly with buttery cake topping. And can we talk about how easy it is? No mixer required for most of it, no complicated techniques.
I’m all about desserts that look impressive without the fuss. Five minutes of prep, pop it in the oven, and you’re basically a dessert genius.
What Ingredients are in Luscious Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake?
This easy dump cake recipe brings together the perfect blend of strawberries, creamy cheesecake, and buttery cake layers with just a handful of simple ingredients.
- 21 oz strawberry pie filling
- 2 cups sliced strawberries (fresh)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 14 oz white or vanilla cake mix
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) very cold butter
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)
The quality of your strawberries will make a difference in the final flavor, so when possible, opt for ripe, sweet berries during strawberry season—though the pie filling helps guarantee you’ll get that lovely strawberry taste year-round.
How to Make this Luscious Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Making this dreamy strawberry cheesecake dump cake couldn’t be easier—it’s the kind of dessert that delivers maximum wow-factor with minimum effort. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and spraying a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick spray. Spread the 21 oz of strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the pan, creating that gorgeous ruby-red base layer. Next, scatter 2 cups of sliced fresh strawberries over the pie filling—this double strawberry approach gives you both that jammy sweetness and pops of fresh berry flavor. Trust me, this step makes all the difference.
Now for the cheesecake layer, which brings all that creamy decadence we crave. In a mixing bowl, whip together 8 oz of softened cream cheese with 1/3 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until it’s fluffy and smooth. Using a stand mixer makes this process quicker and ensures a perfectly smooth cream cheese mixture without any lumps. Take this cream cheese mixture and dollop it over your strawberry layers. Don’t worry about spreading it perfectly—just gently smooth it out as best you can, letting some strawberry goodness peek through. The magic happens when you sprinkle the 14 oz of white or vanilla cake mix evenly over everything. Can we take a moment to appreciate how satisfying it’s to sprinkle cake mix? It’s like snow falling on a delicious landscape.
For the final touch, take your 1/2 cup (one stick) of very cold butter and slice it as thinly as possible. The colder the butter, the easier it slices—I sometimes pop mine in the freezer for 10 minutes before slicing. Arrange these butter pieces all over the cake mix, trying to cover as much surface area as possible. This butter will melt down during baking, combining with the cake mix to create a golden, buttery crust that’s absolutely divine. Pop the pan in your preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes until the top is beautifully golden. The hardest part? Waiting those 10 minutes after baking before diving in. This rest time allows everything to settle and set up perfectly, ensuring each spoonful has that perfect balance of warm, fruity, creamy, and cakey textures.
What to Serve with Luscious Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
While this strawberry cheesecake dump cake is absolutely divine on its own, pairing it with the right accompaniments can take your dessert experience to heavenly new heights. I’m a firm believer that a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream creates the perfect creamy contrast to the warm, fruity cake.
For an extra special touch, try drizzling caramel sauce over the top or adding a sprinkle of toasted almonds for crunch. And don’t forget a cup of coffee or tea—the slight bitterness balances the sweetness beautifully. Perfect for any occasion.
Leftovers and Storage for this Luscious Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
You’ll want to hang onto any leftover dump cake, trust me. This creamy, fruity delight actually tastes even better the next day when all those flavors have had time to mingle and get cozy together.
Store your leftover cake in the refrigerator, covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container, for up to 5 days. The cream cheese layer means room temperature storage is a no-go.
Want to freeze it? Cut into portions first, wrap individually in plastic, then foil. It’ll keep for about 2 months in the freezer.
Luscious Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Substitutions and Variations
This strawberry cheesecake dump cake recipe welcomes creative tweaking, which is part of its charm. Can’t find strawberry pie filling? Blueberry, cherry, or peach work beautifully too. I’m particularly fond of mixing berries for a triple-berry version that adds wonderful complexity.
The cake mix isn’t sacred either. Try chocolate cake mix with strawberries for a chocolate-covered strawberry vibe, or lemon cake mix for a bright, citrusy twist. And don’t feel limited to butter—coconut oil creates a tropical note that pairs wonderfully with fresh berries.
Want more richness? Add white chocolate chips between the cream cheese and cake layers.
Final Thoughts
Three simple ingredients—cake mix, cream cheese, and fresh strawberries—come together to create one of my favorite desserts of all time. I’m still amazed how something so delicious can be so effortless.
This dump cake feels like cheating, honestly. It’s the perfect rescue when you need an impressive dessert but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
The contrast between tangy cream cheese, sweet berries, and buttery cake topping creates magic in every bite.
Would it be wrong to call this a life-changing recipe? Perhaps, but I stand by it.
If you enjoy this recipe, you might also love the textural combination of creamy filling and crunchy cookie topping found in Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Chunks.