I’m so excited to share this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake with you today! It’s honestly one of those magical desserts where minimal effort meets maximum flavor. Think creamy cheesecake goodness married with sweet strawberry filling, all topped with buttery cake crumbles. No fancy techniques required here—just layer, pour, and bake your way to dessert heaven. Want to know the secret to making this crowd-pleaser that’ll have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen?
Why You’ll Love this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Dessert lovers, this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is about to become your new obsession. It combines two of the best desserts—creamy cheesecake and fruity cake—into one ridiculously easy treat. What could be better than that?
I’m particularly fond of how this recipe requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. The layers work magic in the oven—tangy cream cheese, sweet strawberry filling, buttery cake mix, and that graham cracker topping that gives the perfect cheesecake vibe.
The best part? You don’t need any fancy baking skills. Just layer, pour, sprinkle, and bake. It’s perfect for those nights when you want something special but don’t have the energy for complicated steps.
Who knew something so delicious could be so simple?
What Ingredients are in Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake?
This simple yet decadent dessert requires just a handful of everyday ingredients that combine to create something truly magical.
- 1 package cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 can strawberry pie filling
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility—you could swap the strawberry filling for another fruit if you prefer, or use a different flavor of cake mix to create your own unique variation.
How to Make this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish. This prevents sticking and makes serving much easier later on—nobody wants to chip away at their dessert with a chisel.
Step 2: Create the Cream Cheese Layer
Beat 1 package of softened cream cheese with 1/3 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth and creamy.
The softer your cream cheese, the easier this will be, so let it sit out for about 30 minutes before you start mixing.
Step 3: Build Your Base
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly across the bottom of your greased baking dish.
Think of this as the cheesecake foundation of your dessert—it’s what gives this dump cake its signature tangy flavor.
Step 4: Add the Fruity Middle
Layer one can of strawberry pie filling on top of the cream cheese mixture.
Spread it gently, trying not to disturb the cream cheese layer underneath—though honestly, a little marbling between the layers looks quite pretty, too.
Step 5: Sprinkle the Dry Ingredients
Evenly sprinkle one box of yellow cake mix over the strawberry filling.
Yes, the dry mix straight from the box—that’s the beauty of dump cakes, so wonderfully unfussy yet incredibly delicious.
Step 6: Add Fat and Flavor
Pour 1/2 cup melted butter evenly over the cake mix layer.
This helps the cake mix cook properly and adds that rich, buttery flavor that makes this dessert so irresistible.
Step 7: Top with Graham Cracker Crumbs
Sprinkle 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs over the entire surface.
This adds a lovely texture and that classic cheesecake crust flavor that ties the whole dessert together.
Using premium cookware sets will ensure even heat distribution for perfectly baked results every time.
Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
Your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly, and the hardest part will be waiting for it to cool slightly before diving in.
What to Serve with Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
This indulgent dessert deserves some equally delicious accompaniments. A dollop of freshly whipped cream is the obvious choice—it adds a cool, creamy contrast to the warm cake when served fresh from the oven.
For an extra special touch, try a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts beautifully into all those strawberry swirls.
Coffee lovers will appreciate a strong cup of French press to cut through the sweetness, while tea drinkers might prefer a light Earl Grey.
For something more invigorating, a small glass of cold milk or a berry-infused iced tea works wonders.
And if you’re serving this at brunch (because who says you can’t have dessert before noon?), a simple fruit salad on the side provides a fresh counterpoint to this rich, decadent treat.
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake Substitutions and Variations
- Less Sugar: Reduce sugar to 2-3 tablespoons and use a sugar-free pie filling if watching your sweet intake.
- Fancy It Up: Drizzle with white chocolate after baking, or mix mini chocolate chips into the cream cheese layer.
- Seasonal Twist: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the graham cracker topping in fall, or lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture in summer.
Leftovers and Storage for this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
This delightful cake needs proper refrigeration after baking. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days—though good luck having it last that long!
The flavors actually meld beautifully overnight, making day-two servings sometimes even more delicious than fresh from the oven.
For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions:
- Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil
- Freeze for up to 2 months
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator
When ready to enjoy again, let refrigerated portions sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
For a just-baked taste, microwave individual slices for 10-15 seconds—any longer and the cream cheese layer might separate. A dollop of fresh whipped cream works wonders to revive slightly dried edges after storage.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake represents everything wonderful about no-fuss baking.
The magical combination of creamy cheesecake layer, sweet strawberry filling, and buttery crumb topping creates a dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen—when really, it’s just a few simple steps.
It’s the perfect make-ahead treat for potlucks, family gatherings, or those moments when you need something special without the special effort.
If you love this easy dessert concept but crave something more decadent, try a peanut butter cheesecake variation inspired by popular candy flavors.
With its familiar flavors and comforting texture, this dump cake bridges the gap between homemade and convenient, proving that sometimes the most uncomplicated recipes bring the most joy to our tables.
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