This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is sweet, creamy, fruity, and incredibly simple to make. With strawberry pie filling, soft cream cheese, cake mix, and melted butter, it bakes into a golden dessert with a rich cheesecake-style layer and warm strawberry goodness underneath.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this recipe because it uses simple pantry ingredients and requires almost no prep. There is no complicated mixing, chilling, or decorating. The strawberry filling turns bubbly and jammy, the cream cheese adds a smooth cheesecake flavor, and the cake mix creates a soft, golden topping.

It is perfect for family desserts, potlucks, holidays, or last-minute sweet cravings. Serve it warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra cozy dessert.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1 box yellow or white cake mix, about 15.25 ounces
• 1 can strawberry pie filling, 21 ounces
• 1 package cream cheese, softened, 8 ounces
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the strawberry filling. Gently spread it a little, but do not worry if it is not perfectly even.

Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top. Do not prepare the cake mix according to the box directions; use it dry.

Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix, trying to cover as much of the surface as possible.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the strawberry filling is bubbling around the edges.

Let the dump cake cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes before serving. It will thicken slightly as it rests.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 10 to 12 servings.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 40 to 45 minutes
Cooling time: 10 to 15 minutes
Total time: about 1 hour

Variations

Use white cake mix for a lighter vanilla flavor or yellow cake mix for a richer, buttery taste.

Swap strawberry pie filling with cherry, blueberry, raspberry, or mixed berry pie filling.

Add a handful of sliced fresh strawberries over the pie filling for extra fruit flavor.

Sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers or graham cracker crumbs over the cake mix before adding butter for a cheesecake-inspired crust flavor.

Add a little lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for a brighter flavor.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds. You can also reheat larger portions in a 300°F oven until warmed through.

This dessert can be enjoyed warm, chilled, or at room temperature, but it tastes especially good warm with a creamy topping.

FAQs

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling?

Pie filling works best because it already has the right sweetness and thick texture. Fresh strawberries can be added, but they should not fully replace the pie filling.

Do I mix the cake mix with eggs or oil?

No. Use the cake mix dry. The melted butter helps create the golden topping while baking.

Can I use whipped cream cheese?

Block cream cheese is best because it gives a richer, thicker cheesecake layer.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. You can bake it ahead, refrigerate it, and reheat before serving.

Should this dump cake be refrigerated?

Yes. Since it contains cream cheese, leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator.

Can I use salted butter?

Yes, but unsalted butter gives you better control over the flavor.

Why is there dry cake mix on top after baking?

This can happen if the butter does not cover enough of the cake mix. Drizzle the butter as evenly as possible before baking.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, but it is best to make it in two separate 9×13-inch pans for even baking.

What should I serve with it?

It pairs well with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a spoonful of sweetened yogurt.

Can I freeze Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake?

Yes. Freeze cooled portions in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Conclusion

Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is a simple dessert with big flavor and very little effort. The sweet strawberry filling, creamy cheesecake layer, and buttery cake topping make every bite rich and comforting. It is an easy recipe to keep on hand whenever you need a quick, crowd-pleasing treat.