If you’re looking for a dessert that’s quick, indulgent, and bursting with fruity flavor and creamy richness, this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is about to become your new favorite recipe. Combining the lusciousness of cheesecake, the sweet brightness of strawberries, and the ease of a classic dump cake, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort. The best part? It’s made with just a handful of pantry staples and no mixer required.
In this full recipe article, we’ll walk through all the essential details — ingredients, step-by-step instructions, preparation tips, nutrition, customization options, and storage — everything you need to recreate this delicious dessert from scratch in your kitchen.
What Is a Dump Cake?
The term “dump cake” might not sound fancy, but it refers to one of the easiest desserts you can make. Traditionally, a dump cake involves “dumping” cake mix over fruit or pie filling in a pan and baking it until golden and bubbly. Think of it as a cross between a cobbler and a crisp — but with fewer steps and more sweetness.
This version levels up the traditional dump cake by adding a cheesecake twist. Dollops of sweetened cream cheese are nestled between the strawberries and cake mix, creating a decadent layer that’s creamy, tangy, and irresistibly rich.
Why You’ll Love This Dessert
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Only 7 Ingredients: Simple, accessible items — no need for fancy tools or ingredients.
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No Mixing Required: Most of the ingredients are layered directly into the baking dish.
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Rich and Fruity: The blend of strawberry and cream cheese is mouthwatering.
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Perfect for Gatherings: Great for potlucks, BBQs, birthdays, or holidays.
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Versatile: Easily switch up the fruit and cake mix flavors.
Ingredients (US Cups & Measurements)
Here’s everything you need for this delightful dessert:
Main Ingredients:
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1 (21 oz) can strawberry pie filling (about 2½ cups)
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1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
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8 oz cream cheese (softened), about 1 cup
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½ cup granulated sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 (15.25 oz) box vanilla or yellow cake mix
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½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Equipment You’ll Need
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9×13-inch baking dish
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Mixing bowl (for the cream cheese mixture)
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Whisk or hand mixer (optional, for smoothness)
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Spatula or spoon
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Oven
Step-by-Step Directions
Follow these easy steps and you’ll have a stunning dessert ready in under an hour:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a light coating of butter to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Layer the Fruit
Pour the entire can of strawberry pie filling into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly. Top with the sliced fresh strawberries for added texture and bright, juicy flavor.
Step 3: Make the Cheesecake Mixture
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy. You can do this by hand or use a handheld mixer for quicker results.
Step 4: Add the Cheesecake Layer
Using a spoon, drop dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the strawberry layer. Don’t worry about spreading it perfectly — it will melt and swirl slightly as it bakes, creating beautiful marbled pockets of cheesecake throughout the cake.
Step 5: Top with Cake Mix
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the cream cheese and strawberry layers. Do not stir — the layering is what creates the unique texture of a dump cake.
Step 6: Add Butter
Drizzle the melted butter over the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much surface area as possible. The butter is essential to help the top become golden and crisp.
Pro Tip: If you want a crumblier top, slice cold butter and scatter it across the surface instead of melted. Both work well.
Step 7: Bake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the strawberry filling bubbles at the edges.
Step 8: Cool Slightly and Serve
Let the dump cake cool for about 10–15 minutes before serving. This allows the cheesecake layer to set slightly. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Prep and Cook Time
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
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Total Time: ~50–55 minutes
Estimated Calories
Each serving (based on 12 servings) contains approximately 440 kcal. Nutritional content may vary based on specific brands used.
Expert Tips and Tricks
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Room temperature cream cheese is essential for easy mixing and smooth texture.
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Don’t mix the layers — this dessert bakes best when everything is simply layered.
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For extra crunch, add chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
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Want a more intense strawberry flavor? Add strawberry extract to the cream cheese mixture.
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Make this ahead and reheat gently in the oven (covered with foil) before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This dessert is delicious on its own but even better with a few tasty additions:
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Vanilla ice cream
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Whipped cream
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Fresh mint
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Chopped strawberries
How to Store It
Refrigerate: Once cooled, cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or reheat larger portions in the oven at 300°F until heated through.
Freezing: You can freeze this dump cake for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in foil and place in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Variations You’ll Love
The beauty of dump cake is how easy it is to customize. Try these variations:
1. Cherry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Swap strawberry pie filling for cherry. Use chocolate cake mix for a “cherry chocolate cheesecake” twist.
2. Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
Use canned peach pie filling and spice cake mix. Add cinnamon and nutmeg to the cream cheese for warmth.
3. Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Dump Cake
Use blueberry pie filling and lemon cake mix. Add lemon zest to the cream cheese.
4. Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake Dump Cake
Use apple pie filling, white cake mix, and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes. Thaw them completely and drain excess liquid to avoid a watery result.
Can I use homemade pie filling?
Absolutely. Homemade strawberry compote or filling will work beautifully and add even more flavor.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free cake mix and ensure your pie filling and other ingredients are labeled gluten-free.
Can I make this without cream cheese?
Yes, but you’ll lose the cheesecake layer. You can leave it out for a more traditional dump cake.
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is the ultimate dessert for busy bakers and sweet tooths alike. With layers of juicy strawberry, creamy cheesecake, and crispy cake topping, it’s everything you want in a dessert — rich, fruity, sweet, and satisfying.
You don’t need a mixer, a crust, or even much time. In under an hour, you’ll have a dessert that’s good enough to serve at any occasion, whether it’s a family gathering, picnic, or cozy night in.
If you love easy baking recipes that wow every time, this dump cake deserves a place in your dessert rotation.