Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

If spring had a flavor, it would taste just like this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake: sweet, creamy, buttery, and full of sunshine. This easy strawberry dessert needs just five simple ingredients and absolutely no mixing — making it the perfect spring dessert idea for busy days and big cravings. Trust me, this is the kind of dessert that disappears fast at picnics, potlucks, or just a regular Tuesday night at home.

And if you’re as crazy about no bake strawberries and cheesecake treats as we are, you’ll also want to check out this Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Ice cream — it’s like summer on a plate, with a little extra crunch!

Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake: A Family Spring Favorite

Growing up, spring always smelled like fresh strawberries. One of my favorite memories is the year Emma and Lily spent an entire afternoon picking strawberries at a local farm just outside the city. Their little baskets were supposed to be “for bringing home,” but by the time we got back to the car, their mouths were red and their baskets… very light.

“The first strawberries of the season always feel like a little gift from the sun — warm, juicy, and bursting with pure sweetness.”

When we got home, still sun-kissed and giggly, we made this strawberry cheesecake dump cake together. Emma insisted on being “in charge” of the cream cheese, while Lily took her job of “sprinkle master” very seriously. It was messy and chaotic in the best way—a kitchen memory that still makes me smile.

This cake has become a bit of a tradition now. As soon as we see those bright red berries at the market, it’s like a little family alarm goes off — everyone knows it’s time for our favorite strawberry traditions.

If you’re hungry for even more oven-free favorites, check out my No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Desserts.

Ingredients You’ll Need

It’s amazing how 5 ingredients can turn into something so heavenly! Here’s what you’ll need for this 5 ingredient cake:

• 1 box yellow cake mix (about 15.25 oz)
• 21 oz strawberry pie filling (or 2–3 cups fresh strawberries + ¼ cup sugar)
• 8 oz cream cheese, cubed or softened
• ¾ cup butter, melted or sliced into pats
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but adds cozy flavor)

Optional Garnishes:

• Fresh strawberries
• Mint sprigs

Eva’s Note: If you’re craving that extra pop of real fruit flavor, you can absolutely swap in fresh strawberries. I’ll share how a little further down!

How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

This dump cake recipe is so simple, it almost feels like cheating. And that’s exactly why I love it.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Dump the strawberry pie filling into the dish and spread it evenly across the bottom.
3. Add the cream cheese chunks over the pie filling. Don’t worry about perfect placement — every bite will be a surprise of creamy goodness!
4. Sprinkle the yellow cake mix evenly over everything.
5. Drizzle the melted butter on top, making sure to cover as much of the dry cake mix as you can.

Eva’s Tip: Let the Kids Dump! Emma and Noah absolutely love this part — there’s something magical about being allowed to be a little messy on purpose.

Optional Hack: Mascarpone Magic When we lived in Italy for a summer, I fell in love with mascarpone cheese. If you have it on hand, swapping it for the cream cheese makes the whole dessert taste even richer and dreamier.

Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly.

Fresh Strawberry Variation (Optional)

Can you use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling? Absolutely — and it’s a game-changer for peak summer berries.

I still remember the smell of sugared strawberries from our local farmers market. It’s a scent that practically hums with summer. I used to sneak a few from the bowl when Mom wasn’t looking.

Here’s how to use fresh strawberries:

• Slice 2–3 cups fresh strawberries.
• Toss them with ¼ cup sugar (or more if your berries are tart).
• Let sit for about 15 minutes until juicy.
• Use them in place of pie filling!

Eva’s Tip: Fresh for Summer, Cranberry for Winter! One December, I swapped the strawberries for sugared cranberries and added a little orange zest — it was pure holiday magic.

Serving and Storing Tips

Whether you like it warm and gooey or chilled and sliceable, this cake adapts to the moment.

Serving Tips:

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Chill and slice for neater squares.
• Garnish with fresh strawberries and mint for a pretty finish.

Storing Tips:

• Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 20–30 seconds.

Eva’s Note: Chill or Warm? Both are Perfect! Some days, I can’t resist sneaking a chilled bite straight from the fridge, especially when it’s hot and humid outside. Other times, we serve it fresh out of the oven with the butter still bubbling around the edges.

Frequently Asked Questions about Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

With its bright berry flavor, cheesecake creaminess, and golden buttery topping, this strawberry cheesecake dump cake is a hug in dessert form. Whether you’re celebrating spring or just craving something sweet and simple, this is one recipe you’ll want to make again and again.

Thanks for baking along with me today! I hope your kitchen is filled with sweet memories and even sweeter smells.

Other No-bake Strawberry Cheesecake Desserts you may love :

• Strawberry Banana Cheesecake Salad
• Cheesecake Deviled Strawberries
  

Printable Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

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