- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Layer the Strawberry Filling:
- Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Mix the Cream Cheese Layer:
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the strawberry pie filling. It doesn’t need to be perfectly spread since the heat will melt the cream cheese into an even layer.
- Add the Cake Mix:
- Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the cream cheese layer. Try to cover all areas.
- Drizzle with Butter:
- Pour the melted butter evenly over the cake mix layer. The butter will help the cake mix set into a nice crust.
- Baking:
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the cake cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set slightly, making it easier to cut.
- Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream if desired.
Tips for Perfection:
- Even Layers: When adding each layer, take care to spread them as evenly as possible. The cream cheese mixture can be dolloped on and will spread out as it bakes.
- Butter Coverage: Ensure the melted butter covers as much of the cake mix as possible to avoid any dry spots.
- Customize Your Fruit: While strawberry is classic, you can easily adapt this recipe using other pie fillings such as blueberry, cherry, or raspberry for different flavors.
This Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is an excellent choice for last-minute guests or when you need a quick and easy dessert that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Its simplicity, combined with the rich, creamy texture and bursts of strawberry, makes it a delightful treat for any occasion!