Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

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🍓 Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

A warm, buttery crust atop a layer of luscious strawberries and pockets of melted cream cheese.

  • Prep time: 5 minutes

  • Cook time: 40–45 minutes

  • Servings: 12

  • Difficulty: Effortless

Ingredients

  • 2 cans (21 oz each) Strawberry pie filling

  • 1 package (8 oz) Cream cheese, chilled and cubed

  • 1 box (15.25 oz) Yellow or White cake mix (dry)

  • 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) Unsalted butter, thinly sliced into squares

  • Optional: 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (for that authentic cheesecake crunch)

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray.

  2. The Base: Spread both cans of strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the dish.

  3. The “Cheesecake”: Take your cubed cream cheese and dot the pieces evenly over the strawberries. (Optional: sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs here).

  4. The Cake: Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top. Use a fork to smooth it out, but do not stir the layers.

  5. The Butter: Place the butter slices in a single layer over the cake mix, covering as much surface area as possible. This ensures no dry flour spots!

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

  7. Serve: Let it sit for 10 minutes to set. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Recipe Notes & Tips

  • The Butter Secret: If you’re worried about dry spots, you can melt the butter and pour it over the top instead of slicing it. Just try to get even coverage.

  • Cream Cheese Prep: Keep the cream cheese cold until the moment you cube it; it’s much easier to handle than room-temperature cheese for this specific recipe.

  • Variations: Swap strawberry for blueberry or cherry pie filling for a different flavor profile.

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

Estimate based on standard ingredients.

Nutrient Amount
Calories 340 kcal
Total Fat 18g
Carbohydrates 42g
Protein 3g
Sugar 28g

Benefits of This Recipe

  • Stress-Free Hosting: Since there’s no “failing” a dump cake, it’s perfect for potlucks or last-minute guests.

  • Texture Contrast: You get the soft, cooked fruit, the creamy cheesecake “pockets,” and a slightly crisp, buttery cake topping.

  • Affordable: Uses pantry staples and canned goods that are easy on the wallet.

Q&A

Q: Do I need to follow the instructions on the back of the cake mix box?

A: No! Ignore the eggs, oil, and water listed on the box. You only want the dry powder.

Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?

A: Yes. Layer the ingredients the same way in a greased slow cooker and cook on High for 2 hours or Low for 4 hours.

Q: Why is my dump cake still powdery on top?

A: This happens if the butter didn’t melt into that specific spot. You can gently “pat” those spots with a spoon halfway through baking to help the butter soak in, or ensure your butter slices cover the entire surface.

Q: How do I store leftovers?

A: Because of the cream cheese, leftovers should be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It reheats beautifully in the microwave!

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