Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is one of those ridiculously easy and delicious desserts that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. It’s a mix between a traditional dump cake and a cheesecake, with the creamy texture of the cheesecake filling paired with sweet, juicy strawberries and a buttery cake topping. Plus, it’s totally customizable depending on your preferences!

Here’s a simple recipe for a Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake:

Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (or white cake mix)
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 can (21 oz) strawberry pie filling (or fresh strawberries with sugar if you prefer)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (optional, for sweetness)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

2. Prepare the cheesecake filling:
   In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
   If you’re adding sour cream, mix it in at this point. For a little extra sweetness, you can add powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture.

3. Layer the ingredients:
   Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of your greased baking dish.
   Next, pour the strawberry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer. If you’re using fresh strawberries, sprinkle them evenly over the cream cheese layer and top them with a little sugar to sweeten them up.

4. Add the cake mix:
   Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top of the strawberry filling. Do not mix it in; just let it sit on top as the “dump” part of the dump cake.
   Once the cake mix is spread evenly, pour the melted butter over the top of the cake mix. It will create a lovely, crisp topping as it bakes.

5. Bake:
   Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Check the center to make sure the cake mix is fully cooked, as it can sometimes take a little longer depending on your oven.

6. Serve:
   Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool slightly. The cheesecake layer will stay creamy, while the top will be golden and slightly crisp.
   Serve warm, topped with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

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Tips & Variations:

• Use other fruit: You can substitute the strawberry pie filling with any other fruit pie filling, like blueberry, cherry, or peach. You could also use fresh fruit with a little sugar to make your own filling.
• Add a crumble topping: If you want a bit of crunch, mix some rolled oats with brown sugar and butter, then sprinkle it over the top of the cake mix before baking.
• Try a different cake mix: If you prefer a different flavor, you can use white cake, strawberry cake, or even a butter pecan cake mix for a different flavor profile.

This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is the perfect dessert for when you’re short on time but want something indulgent and crowd-pleasing. It’s sweet, creamy, and has that irresistible cheesecake flavor with the texture of a warm, gooey cake. Enjoy!