Introduction:
If you’re in the mood for a quick and delicious dessert that everyone will love, this strawberry dump cake is the perfect choice. With its simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this dessert is a great go-to when you’re craving something sweet without spending hours in the kitchen. All you need are a few pantry staples, and you’ll have a warm, comforting treat ready to enjoy in no time.
The magic behind a dump cake lies in its name—everything is literally “dumped” into one baking dish. No mixing bowls or complicated steps are required, making it a low-stress, high-reward dessert. Whether you’re baking for a family dinner, a potluck, or just a treat for yourself, this dessert always delivers. The combination of sweet strawberry filling, creamy cream cheese, and a buttery cake topping creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
This particular recipe features a layer of creamy cream cheese on top of a luscious strawberry pie filling, all covered by a golden cake mix. The result? A warm, gooey dessert with a bit of crunch from the graham crackers, if you choose to add them. You can serve it as-is or take it up a notch by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for that extra indulgence. Either way, it’s bound to become a new favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
There are plenty of reasons why this strawberry dump cake will win you over. First off, it’s incredibly quick and easy to make. The prep is minimal, and you don’t need to be an experienced baker to create something delicious. Plus, it’s versatile enough to be customized based on your preferences. From swapping the strawberry filling with other fruit options to experimenting with different cake mixes or toppings, this recipe is endlessly adaptable.
Crowd-Pleaser:
This dump cake is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or family dinners. It serves a large group (8–10 people) and can be enjoyed by just about anyone, thanks to its simple yet irresistible combination of flavors. Whether you’re serving it warm with a scoop of ice cream or letting it cool down a bit, it’s sure to disappear quickly. Plus, it’s the type of dessert that feels homemade but requires minimal effort.
Berry Variations:
If you’re feeling adventurous or just want to change things up, feel free to swap the strawberry pie filling with other berry flavors like cherry, blueberry, or mixed berry. Each variation brings its own unique twist, but the base of cream cheese and cake mix always stays consistent. You can also play around with the texture by adding nuts, such as chopped pecans or almonds, on top before baking for an extra crunch.
Ingredients
(Serves 8–10)
1 (21 oz) can strawberry pie filling
1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened and cubed
1 (15.25 oz) box yellow or white cake mix
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
½ cup (60g) crushed graham crackers (optional, for topping)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for added flavor)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with non-stick spray or butter.
Step 2: Layer the Ingredients
Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Scatter the cubed cream cheese evenly over the pie filling. If desired, stir in the vanilla extract with the pie filling for extra flavor.
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the cream cheese and pie filling, ensuring full coverage.
Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the dry cake mix. If using, sprinkle crushed graham crackers on top for added crunch.
Step 3: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Let the dump cake cool for 10–15 minutes to set before serving.
Step 4: Serve
Scoop the dump cake into bowls and serve warm. For extra indulgence, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Pro Tips
Berry Variations: Swap the strawberry pie filling with cherry, blueberry, or mixed berry pie filling for variety.
Cream Cheese Swirl: Blend the cream cheese with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar before scattering for a sweeter cheesecake layer.
Crunchy Top: Add chopped nuts, such as pecans or almonds, on top before baking for extra texture.