Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake: The Easiest Dessert You’ll Crave Again and Again

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is one of those effortless desserts that somehow tastes like you spent hours preparing it. With only a handful of ingredients and no mixing required, you get a golden, buttery topping layered over sweet strawberries and creamy cheesecake filling. The texture is a delightful blend of tender fruit, velvety cream cheese, and a lightly crisp cake layer—an irresistible combination for both casual gatherings and special occasions. I enjoy this recipe because it allows for creativity; I once swapped regular cream cheese for a whipped version, and the result was even lighter and silkier. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned home baker, this recipe delivers impressive results with minimal effort, making it a dependable favorite in any dessert rotation.

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Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Strawberry Pie Filling

Using strawberry pie filling offers the perfect balance of sweetness and fruitiness without the need to prepare a separate sauce. It provides structure and a rich berry aroma that deepens as it bakes.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese adds luscious richness and a cheesecake-like element. When softened, it melts beautifully into the strawberries, giving the dessert its signature creamy pockets.

Granulated Sugar

A light sprinkle of sugar helps sweeten the cream cheese and ensures the flavors meld harmoniously during baking. I once tried reducing the sugar slightly, and the cake still turned out wonderfully balanced.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla enhances the cheesecake flavor and warms the overall profile of the dessert. Even a small amount makes the filling taste more refined.

Yellow Cake Mix

The dry cake mix creates the classic dump-cake topping. As it bakes, it transforms into a buttery, golden crust that contrasts beautifully with the creamy layers underneath.

Unsalted Butter

Sliced or melted, butter is essential for creating a crisp, flavorful topping. It seeps into the cake mix, ensuring no dry spots and adding richness to the entire dish.

Directions

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F to ensure even baking. Lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking and help the layers settle properly. Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the dish, ensuring the fruit layer is distributed from corner to corner. This forms the foundation of the dessert and guarantees that each serving has ample berry flavor. Next, place softened cream cheese over the strawberry layer in small dollops or thin slices so that it blends smoothly as it bakes. Sprinkle granulated sugar and add a touch of vanilla extract over the cream cheese to enhance sweetness and depth. Pour the dry yellow cake mix evenly across the entire surface without stirring; this will create the signature crumbly, buttery topping. Finally, distribute sliced butter or drizzle melted butter evenly over the cake mix, ensuring the top becomes golden and crisp. Bake for about 45–50 minutes until the surface is beautifully browned and the filling bubbles around the edges. Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving to let the layers set.

Equipment needed :

Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling

Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.

Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.

large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.

Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.

Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.

Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.

9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.

knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease..

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 10–12 people, making it ideal for family gatherings or potlucks. Preparation takes about 10 minutes, while baking requires approximately 45–50 minutes. Allow an extra 10 minutes of cooling time for the dessert to set properly before serving.

Storage/reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or place the baking dish in a low oven at 300°F until gently heated. The texture remains delightful even after refrigeration, and the flavors often deepen overnight.

Variations and Customizations

Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Dump Cake

Add a burst of brightness by incorporating lemon zest or substituting yellow cake mix with lemon cake mix.

Mixed Berry Cheesecake Dump Cake

Use a combination of strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry pie fillings for a more complex fruit layer.

Chocolate Strawberry Dump Cake

Sprinkle chocolate chips over the strawberry filling or use a chocolate cake mix for a richer dessert.

Almond Strawberry Dump Cake

Add almond extract to the cream cheese layer; it pairs beautifully with strawberries.

Whipped Cheesecake Version

Replace standard cream cheese with whipped cream cheese for a lighter texture.

Fresh Strawberry Upgrade

Fold fresh sliced strawberries into the pie filling for added freshness and juiciness.

Gluten-Free Option

Use a gluten-free cake mix; the baking method remains the same, and the texture holds up very well.

Dairy-Free Twist

Swap butter for a dairy-free butter alternative and use a plant-based cream cheese. I tried this once with almond milk cream cheese, and it worked exceptionally well.

Cinnamon-Infused Dump Cake

Dust cinnamon over the cake mix before adding butter to introduce a warm, aromatic note.

Creamy Custard Addition

Pour a small amount of vanilla pudding over the cream cheese layer for extra creaminess.

FAQs

How do I prevent dry patches on top of the dump cake?

Ensure the butter is evenly distributed across the cake mix so every area gets moistened during baking.

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling?

Yes, but you will need to cook them with sugar and thickener first to mimic the consistency of pie filling.

What type of cake mix works best?

Yellow cake mix offers the most balanced flavor, though white and vanilla mixes also work well.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Only if you turn them into a quick filling; using them plain may create too much liquid.

Do I need to soften the cream cheese?

Softening ensures smoother melting and even distribution throughout the dessert.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, bake it the day before and refrigerate. Reheat gently before serving.

Can I reduce the sugar?

You may reduce it slightly without affecting texture, though sweetness will vary.

How do I serve it?

Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a classic finish.

Can I freeze dump cake?

Yes, freeze in portions for up to two months; thaw and warm before eating.

Why is my topping gritty?

This usually happens if the butter didn’t fully cover the cake mix. Ensure full coverage next time.

Conclusion

Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is the perfect example of how simple ingredients can yield a truly memorable dessert. Its layers of sweet strawberries, creamy cheesecake filling, and golden cake topping create a comforting treat suited for any occasion. Whether you enjoy it warm from the oven or chilled the next day, its flavors remain indulgent and satisfying. With easy preparation, versatile variations, and dependable results, this dessert unquestionably earns a place in any home baker’s repertoire.

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