Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert – The Sweetest Strawberry Hug from My Oven

Name: Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced; 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or white cake mix; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest; 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1/2 cup whole milk; 2 large eggs; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Fati Bendahi 3 days ago

0 0 6 minutes read

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The Story & Intro

Hi, I’m INAYA, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. Cooking has been part of my life since I was a child, learning from my grandmother how to make traditional Greek dishes full of love and flavor. I believe food brings people together, especially women who want to share warmth and happiness through cooking.
I like to keep things simple but tasty, mixing classic recipes with a little creativity. Sometimes my kitchen gets messy, but that’s where the fun is! Whether you’re new to cooking or have some experience, I’m here to help you enjoy making delicious meals that feel like home.
Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.

Today I want to share something sweet, easy, and full of joy: my Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert.

I still remember the first time I made this Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert. It was late spring here in Crete. The strawberries smelled like sunshine. I had friends coming over for coffee, and I wanted something simple but beautiful. I didn’t want layers. I didn’t want complicated frosting. I wanted something I could mix, pour, bake, and serve with love.

That afternoon, this Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert saved me. The strawberries melted into jammy sweetness, the cake baked soft and golden on top, and the whole house smelled like a strawberry garden.

Since then, I make this Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert whenever I need something easy but comforting. It never disappoints me. It feels rustic, homey, and full of heart.

And the best part? I don’t stress when I make it. I dump, I bake, I smile.

Why I Love Making This Recipe

I love this recipe because it feels honest.

I don’t need fancy tools. I don’t need complicated steps. I don’t need perfection. I just need strawberries, cake mix, butter, and a little love.

When I bake this Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert, I feel relaxed. I slice the strawberries slowly. I sprinkle sugar. I pour the batter gently. I watch the oven do its magic.

I also love how this dessert brings women together. When my friends visit, I cut big squares and serve them warm with coffee. We sit around my wooden table. We talk about our children, our dreams, our worries. We laugh. We eat. We feel lighter.

This dessert feels like comfort without effort. It works for birthdays, church gatherings, school events, or just a quiet Sunday afternoon.

I love recipes that don’t intimidate anyone. If you feel nervous in the kitchen, this Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert will make you feel confident. I promise.

Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets

Here’s everything I use. I keep it simple.

🛒 Ingredients

2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or white cake mix
¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
½ cup whole milk
2 large eggs
¼ teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

My Little Kitchen Secrets

• I always taste my strawberries first. If they taste very sweet, I reduce the sugar a little.
• I add lemon zest because it wakes up the strawberry flavor. It makes everything brighter.
• I melt the butter gently. I don’t let it brown. I want soft richness, not nuttiness.
• I never overmix the batter. I stir just until everything comes together.

If I feel playful, I sprinkle white chocolate chips over the strawberries before I add the batter. Sometimes I add sliced almonds for a little crunch. I allow myself to have fun.

How I Make It, Step by Step

I like to move slowly in my kitchen. I enjoy every step.

👩‍🍳 Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

I preheat my oven to 175°C (350°F).
I lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or oil.

I always prepare the pan first because I don’t want to rush later.

👩‍🍳 Step 2: Prepare the Strawberries

I spread the sliced strawberries evenly on the bottom of the pan.
I sprinkle the sugar over them.
I add the vanilla extract and lemon zest.

I gently mix everything with my hands or a spoon. I make sure the strawberries sit evenly so every bite gets fruit.

👩‍🍳 Step 3: Make the Batter

In a large bowl, I combine:

Cake mix
Melted butter
Milk
Eggs
Salt

I mix until I see a smooth batter. I stop as soon as everything blends together. I don’t overwork it.

👩‍🍳 Step 4: Pour and Spread

I pour the batter carefully over the strawberries.

I use a spatula to spread it evenly. I don’t press too hard. I let it gently cover the fruit.

👩‍🍳 Step 5: Bake

I place the pan in the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes.

I watch the top turn golden. I smell strawberries and vanilla fill my kitchen. I test the center with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, I remove it.

👩‍🍳 Step 6: Cool and Dust

I let the cake rest for at least 15 minutes. I don’t rush this step.

If I feel fancy, I dust powdered sugar on top. Sometimes I serve it plain. It doesn’t need much.

How I Serve It at Home

I love serving this Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert slightly warm.

Sometimes I add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The ice cream melts into the cake and creates creamy strawberry rivers. My children adore it this way.

For coffee afternoons, I serve it with Greek coffee or strong espresso. The bitterness balances the sweetness beautifully.

For summer evenings, I top it with whipped cream and fresh sliced strawberries. I keep everything simple but beautiful.

When guests arrive unexpectedly, this dessert saves me. I always keep a box of cake mix in my pantry just in case.

Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips

I cover leftovers tightly and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

When I want to serve it again, I warm individual slices in the microwave for 20–30 seconds. The strawberries soften again, and the cake tastes fresh.

If I plan ahead, I bake it the night before a gathering. I let it cool completely and cover it well. The flavor actually deepens overnight.

I also freeze slices individually. I wrap them in plastic and store them in a freezer bag. When I crave something sweet, I thaw a slice and warm it gently.

This Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert fits beautifully into busy life.

100-Word Short Version

This Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert combines fresh strawberries, vanilla cake mix, butter, and simple pantry ingredients into one easy baked dessert. I layer sweet strawberries in a greased baking dish, mix a quick cake batter, pour it over the fruit, and bake until golden and soft. The strawberries turn jammy while the top becomes tender and slightly crisp. I serve it warm with powdered sugar, whipped cream, or ice cream. It works perfectly for gatherings, family dinners, or last-minute guests. This easy strawberry dump cake feels comforting, sweet, and full of homemade love.

Recipe Card

⏱️ Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

🛒 Ingredients

2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
½ cup whole milk
2 large eggs
¼ teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Spread sliced strawberries evenly in the pan.
Sprinkle sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest over the strawberries.
In a bowl, mix cake mix, melted butter, milk, eggs, and salt until smooth.
Pour batter evenly over strawberries and spread gently.
Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and set.
Cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

📝 Notes

Use frozen strawberries if needed, but thaw and drain them first.
Add white chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze slices individually for up to 2 months.

🍽️ Nutrition (Per Slice Approximate)
Calories: 320
Carbohydrates: 45g
Sugar: 24g
Fat: 14g
Protein: 4g
Fiber: 2g
Sodium: 280mg

Conclusion

Every time I bake this Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert, I feel connected to my grandmother’s kitchen, even though she never made this exact recipe. She taught me to cook with confidence, simplicity, and heart. She showed me that desserts don’t need to be complicated to feel special.

When I pull this cake from the oven, I don’t just see strawberries and batter. I see comfort. I see conversation. I see women sitting together, sharing slices and stories.

If you try this Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert, I hope you feel that same warmth. I hope your kitchen smells sweet. I hope someone you love smiles when they take the first bite.

That is why I cook. That is why I share.

Because food brings us together and a simple strawberry cake can hold so much love.

Fati Bendahi 3 days ago

0 0 6 minutes read

Strawberry Dump Sheet Cake Dessert – The Sweetest Strawberry Hug from My Oven

The Story & Intro

Why I Love Making This Recipe