Description
This Strawberry Dump Cake with Cream Cheese is my go-to cozy dessert when I want something sweet, bubbly, and effortless. I layer strawberry pie filling, creamy vanilla-kissed cream cheese, and buttery cake mix, then bake until golden. It tastes like warm strawberry shortcake meets cheesecake—perfect for potlucks, holidays, or an easy family treat served with vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (21 oz / 595 g each) strawberry pie filling
- 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) yellow cake mix
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- Optional: 1/2 cup (60 g) sliced almonds or chopped pecans for crunch
- Optional for serving: vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish.
- Spoon the strawberry pie filling into the dish and spread it into an even layer.
- In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and creamy.
- Dollop the cream cheese mixture all over the strawberry layer. I leave it in little pockets so it melts into creamy bites while baking.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top. Do not stir—just make an even blanket of cake mix.
- Slowly drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix, covering as much surface as you can. If you like, sprinkle nuts on top for extra crunch.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the top looks golden and the edges are bubbling.
- Let the cake rest for 15–20 minutes so it thickens slightly and serves beautifully.
- Scoop into bowls and serve warm (my favorite) with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Tips: Use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest pockets. If you see dry cake-mix patches after adding butter, drizzle 1–2 extra tablespoons of melted butter (or a small splash of milk) right on those spots. Swaps: White cake mix works great for a lighter flavor, and cherry pie filling is delicious too. Storage: Cover and refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days. Reheat single servings in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg