Description
Whip up this easy Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake! Layers of sweet strawberries and creamy cheesecake. A simple, comforting dessert, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- Creamy Base:
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Sweet Fruit Layer:
- 21 oz (595g) can strawberry pie filling
- Cake Topping:
- 1 (15.25 oz / 432g) box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- Finishing Touch (Optional):
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
- Fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Prep Your Pan:: First things first, grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. Give it a light spray with cooking oil, or if you’re like me and love a little extra butter, rub a thin layer of softened butter all over the bottom and sides. This makes cleanup so much easier, and honestly, who wants stuck-on dessert? Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while you’re at it. I always forget this step and then have to wait around, oops!
- Whip Up the Cream Cheese Layer:: In a medium bowl, combine your softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Grab your electric mixer – or a whisk if you’re feeling ambitious – and beat it until it’s smooth and creamy. You want absolutely no lumps here, hon. This is the heart of the ‘cheesecake’ part of our Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake, so make it dreamy! I once rushed this and had little cream cheese bits, which was still tasty, but not quite as elegant.
- Layer the Fruit:: Pour the entire can of strawberry pie filling into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. This will be our vibrant, sweet base. Don’t worry if it looks a little thick; it will bubble up beautifully as it bakes. This is where the kitchen starts to smell amazing, like a summer berry patch! I love seeing that bright red pop against the white dish.
- Add the Cheesecake Swirl:: Now, here’s the fun part: dollop spoonfuls of your creamy cream cheese mixture over the strawberry filling. Don’t try to spread it perfectly; a rustic, swirled look is what we’re after. I usually just use a spoon and drop blobs here and there. This casual approach is part of the dump cake charm, and it means less fuss for you!
- Sprinkle the Cake Mix:: Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the top of the strawberry and cream cheese layers. Make sure to cover as much as you can. This will form the lovely, golden, slightly crisp topping. I sometimes get a little messy with this step, with cake mix dust everywhere, but it’s all part of the baking chaos, right?
- Drizzle and Bake:: Pour your melted unsalted butter evenly over the dry cake mix. This is crucial for creating that delicious, buttery crust. Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for about 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. The edges should be a little crispy, and the filling should be warm and gooey. Your kitchen will smell like heaven, I promise!