A Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is a super easy and delicious dessert that combines the rich, creamy flavor of cheesecake with the sweet and fruity goodness of strawberries, all baked into a simple, no-fuss cake. It’s called a “dump cake” because you essentially “dump” all the ingredients into a baking dish and let the oven do the work. Here’s a simple recipe to try:
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 (15 oz) can of strawberry pie filling (or fresh strawberries, chopped and sweetened if you prefer)
- 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 box of yellow cake mix (or white cake mix)
- 1/2 cup of butter, melted (unsalted works best)
- 1/2 cup of sour cream (optional for extra creaminess)
- A pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Prepare the cheesecake layer:
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. You can also add the sour cream here for an extra rich, creamy layer if you like.
- Spread this cheesecake mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer the strawberry filling:
- Pour the strawberry pie filling (or fresh strawberries mixed with a little sugar) over the cheesecake layer, spreading it out evenly.
- Add the cake mix:
- Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the top of the strawberries. You don’t need to mix it—just spread it out as evenly as possible. The cake mix will absorb the liquids and form a crumbly topping as it bakes.
- Pour the butter:
- Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix layer. This will help the top crisp up and form a golden, buttery crust.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. The cake mix layer should be firm and cooked through.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. You can serve it warm or at room temperature.
- Optional topping: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or fresh strawberries for extra sweetness and garnish.
Tips & Variations:
- Fresh Strawberries: If you’re using fresh strawberries, chop them up and mix them with a little sugar (about 2-3 tablespoons) to bring out their juices.
- Cheesecake Variations: Add a little lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for a slight citrusy twist, or use flavored cream cheese (like strawberry or blueberry) for added flavor.
- Cake Mix Swap: You can swap the yellow cake mix with a white or even a strawberry-flavored cake mix for a different flavor profile.
This dump cake is perfect for a quick dessert when you want something indulgent without a lot of prep time. Plus, it’s always a crowd-pleaser!