Description
This Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake recipe is the ultimate dessert mashup – combining the comforting simplicity of a dump cake with the creamy, tangy goodness of cheesecake and the vibrant sweetness of fresh strawberries. It’s a dessert that’s incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal effort and only a handful of ingredients. Forget complicated recipes and hours spent in the kitchen; this dump cake delivers impressive results with maximum flavor and minimal fuss. It’s perfect for potlucks, weeknight desserts, or any time you crave a sweet treat without the stress. The beauty of this recipe lies in its forgiving nature – you can easily adapt it to your liking by adding different fruits, extracts, or toppings. Get ready to experience a dessert that’s as delicious as it is convenient!
Why you will love this recipe
You’ll fall in love with this Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake for several reasons:
- Effortless Simplicity: It’s a dump cake! This means you literally “dump” the ingredients into a dish and bake. No fancy techniques or complicated steps required. It’s the perfect recipe for beginner bakers or anyone short on time.
- Incredible Flavor: The combination of the buttery cake, creamy cheesecake filling, and juicy strawberries is simply irresistible. Each bite offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors that will leave you wanting more.
- Adaptable: This recipe is highly customizable. You can easily swap out the strawberries for other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or peaches. You can also experiment with different cake mix flavors or add a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra warmth.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This cake is always a hit! Its familiar flavors and easy-to-love texture make it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
- Versatile: It is good warm or cold. You can eat it as is, or top it with whipped cream or ice cream.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 box (15 ounces) yellow cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your dump cake bakes evenly and prevents it from becoming soggy. Make sure your oven is fully preheated before placing the baking dish inside.
Step 2: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish (or similar size). Generously grease the baking dish with butter, cooking spray, or shortening. This will prevent the cake from sticking and make it easier to serve. Pay attention to the corners and edges of the dish.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Ensure the cream cheese is thoroughly softened before mixing to avoid lumps. A hand mixer or stand mixer works best for this, but you can also use a whisk.
Step 4: In a separate large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, milk, and melted butter. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough cake. The batter should be smooth but still slightly thick. A few small lumps are okay.
Step 5: Gently spread half of the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Be careful not to press down too hard, as you want to maintain a light and airy texture. You can use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the batter.
Step 6: Arrange the sliced strawberries evenly over the first layer of cake batter. Make sure the strawberries are well distributed so that each bite of cake has a taste of strawberry. You can also add a few extra strawberries to the center of the cake for a more prominent strawberry flavor.
Step 7: Dollop the cream cheese mixture evenly over the strawberries. Use a spoon to drop small portions of the cream cheese mixture across the strawberry layer. Then, use the back of the spoon to gently spread the cream cheese mixture, trying not to mix it too much with the strawberries.
Step 8: Carefully spread the remaining cake batter over the cream cheese layer. Be gentle as you spread the batter to avoid disturbing the cream cheese and strawberry layers. It’s okay if some of the cream cheese and strawberries peek through – this will add to the rustic charm of the dump cake.
Step 9: Distribute the remaining strawberry slices on top of the cake batter. Arrange the remaining strawberries in a decorative pattern on top of the cake. This will not only enhance the flavor but also make the cake visually appealing.
Step 10: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking times may vary depending on your oven. Keep an eye on the cake and check for doneness after 40 minutes. If the top is browning too quickly, you can tent it with foil to prevent burning.
COOKING Rating:
Easy
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Top with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Dust with powdered sugar for a pretty presentation.
- Drizzle with a homemade strawberry sauce or a balsamic glaze for an extra layer of flavor.
- Serve with a side of fresh berries for a colorful and refreshing dessert.
Tips:
- Use room-temperature cream cheese for a smoother filling.
- Don’t overmix the cake batter to avoid a tough cake.
- If you don’t have fresh strawberries, you can use frozen, but make sure to thaw and drain them well first.
- For a richer flavor, use brown butter instead of melted butter in the cake batter.
- Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, on top of the cake before baking for a crunchy texture.
- A little lemon zest to the Cream Cheese will give it a nice twang
- Experiment with using flavored cake mixes, like strawberry or lemon, to complement the strawberry filling.
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
45 minutes
Total Time:
60 minutes
Nutritional Information:
Approximate values per serving
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 4g
- Sodium: Varies depending on the brand of cake mix used
Conclusion
This Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is a simple, yet satisfying dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Its effortless preparation and delicious combination of flavors make it a winner every time. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to impress. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a delightful treat that will bring joy to your taste buds.
Questions and Answers:
- Q: Can I use a different fruit besides strawberries?
- A: Absolutely! This recipe is very adaptable. You can substitute strawberries with other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, or even a combination of mixed berries. Just be sure to use the same quantity of fruit as the strawberries (2 cups). Frozen fruit can also be used, but make sure to thaw and drain it well to prevent the cake from becoming soggy.
- Q: Can I use a different type of cake mix?
- A: Yes, you can experiment with different cake mix flavors. Yellow cake mix is a classic choice, but white cake mix, strawberry cake mix, lemon cake mix, or even spice cake mix can work well depending on your preference. Just be mindful of how the flavor of the cake mix will complement the fruit you’re using.
- Q: Can I make this dump cake ahead of time?
- A: Yes, you can! This dump cake can be made a day ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. In fact, many people find that the flavors meld together even better after it has chilled overnight. Just be sure to cover it tightly to prevent it from drying out. You can serve it cold or reheat it gently in the oven or microwave before serving.
- Q: What if my cream cheese mixture is lumpy?
- A: Lumpy cream cheese mixture is usually a sign that the cream cheese wasn’t softened enough. Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before you start mixing it. If it’s still lumpy, you can try microwaving it for a few seconds (very carefully and in short intervals) to soften it further. You can also use a hand mixer or stand mixer to help smooth out the lumps.
- Q: My cake is browning too quickly. What should I do?
- A: If your cake is browning too quickly on top, you can tent it with foil to prevent burning. Simply loosely cover the top of the cake with a sheet of aluminum foil, being careful not to let the foil touch the top of the cake. This will help to shield the cake from the direct heat and allow it to continue baking without burning. You can also try lowering the oven temperature by 25 degrees and baking it for a longer period of time.
