If you are looking for a dessert that tastes rich, creamy, fruity, and homemade without complicated steps, this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is the perfect recipe to make. It is made with strawberry pie filling, soft cream cheese, dry cake mix, melted butter, and a touch of sugar for a warm dessert that tastes like cheesecake and cobbler together.
This recipe is perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, holidays, church dinners, summer parties, birthdays, or anytime you need a quick dessert with very little work.
The best part is how easy it is.
You simply layer the ingredients in a baking dish, bake until golden and bubbly, then serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Every bite has sweet strawberries, creamy cheesecake pockets, buttery cake topping, and a soft fruity filling.
Recipe Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recipe Name | Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake |
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Bake Time | 40–45 minutes |
| Total Time | About 55 minutes |
| Servings | 10–12 |
| Course | Dessert |
| Cuisine | American Dessert |
| Difficulty | Very Easy |
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
This dessert is easy, sweet, creamy, and perfect for beginners.
You do not need a mixer.
You do not need to make a crust.
You do not need to prepare cake batter.
The strawberry pie filling makes the dessert juicy and bright.
The cream cheese gives it a cheesecake-style flavor.
The cake mix turns into a golden buttery topping as it bakes.
This is a great last-minute dessert because it uses simple ingredients and takes only a few minutes to assemble.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Yellow or white cake mix | 1 box |
| Strawberry pie filling | 1 can, 21 oz |
| Cream cheese, softened | 1 package, 8 oz |
| Granulated sugar | ¼ cup |
| Butter, melted | ½ cup |
Optional Toppings
| Topping | Amount |
|---|---|
| Whipped cream | For serving |
| Fresh strawberries | For garnish |
| Vanilla ice cream | For serving |
| Powdered sugar | For dusting |
| Strawberry sauce | For extra topping |
Equipment Needed
You will need a 9×13-inch baking dish, spoon, small bowl, spatula, measuring cup, and oven.
A glass baking dish works very well because it bakes evenly and lets you see the beautiful strawberry layer.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F / 175°C.
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
This helps prevent the strawberry filling from sticking to the bottom.
Step 2: Add the Strawberry Pie Filling
Pour the strawberry pie filling into the bottom of the baking dish.
Spread it evenly with a spoon.
Make sure the filling reaches all corners of the dish.
This layer becomes the sweet, fruity base of the dessert.
Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese
Place the softened cream cheese in a small bowl.
Add the sugar.
Mix until smooth and creamy.
The cream cheese does not need to be perfectly whipped, but it should be soft enough to spoon over the strawberry layer.
Step 4: Add the Cream Cheese Layer
Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the strawberry pie filling.
Spread it gently if desired.
Do not worry if it does not cover the entire surface.
As it bakes, the cream cheese melts into soft cheesecake pockets.
Step 5: Sprinkle the Cake Mix
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the strawberry and cream cheese layers.
Do not prepare the cake mix according to the box directions.
Use it dry.
Try to cover the entire surface evenly so the topping bakes golden.
Step 6: Add the Butter
Pour the melted butter evenly over the dry cake mix.
Move slowly so the butter covers as much of the surface as possible.
If you see dry spots, gently spread the butter with the back of a spoon.
The butter helps the cake mix bake into a soft, golden, buttery topping.
Step 7: Bake
Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes.
The top should be golden brown.
The strawberry filling should be bubbling around the edges.
The cream cheese should look soft and creamy.
If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil during the last 10 minutes.
Step 8: Cool Slightly
Remove the dump cake from the oven.
Let it cool for 10–15 minutes before serving.
This helps the filling thicken slightly and makes it easier to scoop.
The dessert will still be warm, creamy, and gooey.
Step 9: Serve
Scoop the dessert into bowls or plates.
Top with whipped cream, fresh strawberries, or vanilla ice cream.
Serve warm for a gooey dessert or chilled for a firmer cheesecake-style texture.
Pro Tips for the Best Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Use softened cream cheese for easier mixing.
Do not stir all the layers together.
Use the cake mix dry.
Pour butter evenly over the top.
Let the dessert rest before serving.
Add fresh strawberries for extra fruit flavor.
Serve warm with ice cream for the best texture.
Refrigerate leftovers because the dessert contains cream cheese.
Best Cake Mix to Use
You can use yellow cake mix or white cake mix for this recipe.
| Cake Mix | Result |
|---|---|
| Yellow cake mix | Rich, buttery flavor |
| White cake mix | Light, sweet flavor |
| Vanilla cake mix | Classic dessert taste |
| Strawberry cake mix | Extra strawberry flavor |
| Butter cake mix | Rich and golden topping |
Yellow cake mix gives a rich homemade flavor.
White cake mix gives a lighter look and softer vanilla flavor.
Delicious Variations
Strawberry White Chocolate Dump Cake
Sprinkle white chocolate chips over the cream cheese layer before adding the cake mix.
This makes the dessert sweeter and richer.
Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Dump Cake
Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest or lemon juice to the cream cheese mixture.
The lemon brightens the strawberry flavor.
Strawberry Crunch Dump Cake
After baking, top with crushed vanilla cookies or golden sandwich cookies.
This gives the dessert a strawberry crunch cheesecake flavor.
Mixed Berry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Use strawberry pie filling with blueberry or raspberry pie filling.
This version is colorful and fruity.
Chocolate Strawberry Dump Cake
Use chocolate cake mix instead of yellow or white cake mix.
It tastes like chocolate-covered strawberries.
What to Serve with Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
This dessert is sweet and creamy, so it pairs perfectly with simple toppings.
Great serving ideas include:
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Fresh strawberries
- Strawberry sauce
- White chocolate drizzle
- Powdered sugar
- Cold milk
- Hot coffee
- Iced coffee
- Mint tea
For the best dessert plate, serve it warm with vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can assemble this dessert a few hours ahead of time.
Cover the dish and refrigerate until ready to bake.
If baking from cold, add about 5–10 extra minutes to the baking time.
You can also bake it ahead and reheat before serving.
For the best texture, bake it fresh when possible.
Storage
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Because this recipe contains cream cheese, it should not be left at room temperature for too long.
The topping will soften slightly as it sits, but the flavor will still be delicious.
Reheating
Oven Method
Place leftovers in an oven-safe dish.
Cover loosely with foil.
Warm at 325°F / 160°C for 10–15 minutes.
Microwave Method
Place one serving in a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat for 20–30 seconds, or until warm.
Add whipped cream or ice cream after reheating.
Freezing
You can freeze this dessert, but the texture may soften after thawing.
Let it cool completely.
Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat in the oven for the best texture.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mixing the Layers Together
Dump cake should be layered, not mixed.
The layers create the best texture.
Using Cold Cream Cheese
Cold cream cheese is hard to spread.
Let it soften first.
Preparing the Cake Mix
Do not make the cake batter.
Sprinkle the dry mix directly over the filling.
Leaving Dry Cake Mix on Top
Try to cover the cake mix evenly with butter.
Dry spots can stay powdery after baking.
Serving Immediately
Let the cake rest for 10–15 minutes.
This helps the filling set slightly.
Nutrition Estimate
| Serving | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320–480 |
| Protein | 3–6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45–65 g |
| Fat | 14–26 g |
| Sugar | 30–48 g |
| Serving Size | 1 scoop |
Nutrition values are approximate and will vary depending on cake mix, butter, cream cheese, and serving size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I prepare the cake mix first?
No.
Use the cake mix dry.
Sprinkle it directly over the strawberry filling and cream cheese.
Can I use white cake mix?
Yes.
White cake mix works very well and gives a lighter vanilla flavor.
Can I use yellow cake mix?
Yes.
Yellow cake mix gives the dessert a richer buttery taste.
Can I use fresh strawberries?
Yes, but fresh strawberries should be cooked with sugar and a little cornstarch first to make a thick filling.
Strawberry pie filling is easier and gives the best dump cake texture.
Can I use another fruit filling?
Yes.
Cherry, blueberry, raspberry, peach, or apple pie filling all work.
Can I make this without cream cheese?
Yes.
You can leave out the cream cheese, but it will taste more like a regular strawberry dump cake instead of cheesecake.
Why is my topping dry?
Some cake mix may not have enough butter on it.
Pour the butter slowly and evenly over the top.
Is this dessert served warm or cold?
Both are delicious.
Warm is soft and gooey.
Cold is firmer and more cheesecake-like.
Can I add whipped cream?
Yes.
Whipped cream is perfect on top, especially with fresh strawberries.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes.
Use two baking dishes or one very large pan.
Do not overfill the dish.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is sweet, creamy, fruity, buttery, and incredibly easy to make. With only 5 simple ingredients, you can create a dessert that tastes rich and comforting without complicated steps.
The strawberry pie filling, cream cheese, cake mix, sugar, and melted butter bake together into a warm dessert with cheesecake flavor and a golden cake topping.
Serve it warm with ice cream or chilled with whipped cream, and enjoy one of the easiest strawberry desserts you can make at home.