Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake

Ingredients Needed 🛒👩‍🍳

• 1 (21 oz) can of strawberry pie filling – the fruity foundation of this dessert that provides sweetness and beautiful color 🍓

• 1 (16 oz) package of frozen strawberries, thawed and drained – adds fresh fruit texture 🍓

• 10 oz cream cheese, softened – creates that wonderful cheesecake layer 🧀

• 2 large eggs – helps bind the cream cheese mixture 🥚

• ⅓ cup granulated sugar – adds just the right amount of sweetness 🍬

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract – for depth and aroma 🌿

• 1 package of French vanilla cake mix – the magic ingredient for that golden topping 🎂

• ⅔ cup unsalted butter, cold – must be cold for easy slicing or grating 🧈

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar – adds caramel flavor and helps with browning 🍯

• Fresh strawberries and mint leaves (optional) – for garnish and presentation 🍓🌱

Instructions 📋🔥

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F and lightly grease a 9×13 glass baking dish 🧽.

2. In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy (about 2 minutes) 🎛️.

3. In a separate bowl, combine the canned strawberry pie filling with the thawed frozen strawberries, gently folding them together 🥣.

4. Spread the strawberry mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish 📤.

5. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the strawberries and use a knife to gently swirl it into the strawberry layer (don’t mix completely) 🔁.

6. Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over the previous layers, then sprinkle the brown sugar on top 🍰.

7. Grate the cold butter using a cheese grater with large holes and distribute it evenly over the entire surface (or cut into thin slices if preferred) 🧈🧀.

8. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 25–30 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling 🔥🕒.

9. Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before serving. This lets the layers set properly 🧊⏳.

10. Serve warm or chilled, garnished with fresh strawberries and mint leaves if desired 🍓🌿.

Notes 📝💡

• The grated butter technique creates much better coverage than slicing, ensuring your cake topping browns evenly with no dry spots 🧈✅.

• Adding thawed frozen strawberries to the pie filling creates more fruit texture and a fresher flavor than using canned filling alone 🍓🫙.

• The brown sugar adds a subtle caramel flavor and helps with browning 🍯.

• For a stunning presentation, try serving in clear glass dishes so the beautiful layers are visible 🍽️✨.

• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If freezing (up to 3 months), cut into portions first for easier thawing ❄️📦.

• This cake actually tastes better on day 2 after the flavors have had time to meld together overnight in the refrigerator 🕰️💕