Next, pour the entire can of strawberry pie filling over the cream cheese layer. This is where the magic starts to happen! Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the top. Don’t be afraid to let those juicy strawberries peek through—it’ll make for a beautiful presentation later. Now, go ahead and sprinkle the dry vanilla cake mix over the strawberry pie filling. You want an even layer here, as this will form that luscious cake top.
For the final touch, drizzle the melted butter over the top of the cake mix layer. I find that pouring it slowly helps it to settle in nicely. Then it’s time to pop your dish into the preheated oven! Bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will soon be filled with the most heavenly aroma—trust me, it’s hard to wait!
Once it’s done baking, let it cool for a few minutes before serving. You can choose to top your slice with some fresh strawberries or whipped cream for an extra special touch. I often make it just as is, because honestly, it’s so good on its own!
Pro Tips for Best Results
I tested this recipe three ways to find the perfect balance of flavors. One of my favorite tweaks was adding a dash of lemon zest to the cream cheese mix; it really brightens up the overall flavor! I also found that using a high-quality strawberry pie filling makes a huge difference in taste—try to find one that uses real fruit for the best results.
Another pro tip: if you’re feeling adventurous, substitute the strawberry filling for other flavors! I’ve tried it with blueberry and cherry pie fillings too, and they were absolute hits! Just keep in mind that you might want to adjust the sugar levels slightly, especially if the filling is sweeter or tarter than strawberries.
Lastly, I always make sure to keep an eye on the baking time as ovens can vary. If you notice the top is getting brown but the cake isn’t set in the center, simply cover it with aluminum foil for the last few minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When I first started making this dump cake, I made the mistake of mixing the dry cake mix with the other ingredients. Trust me, the texture is totally different! You want the dry mix to sit on top of the strawberry filling so it can create that lovely crust. (See the next page below to continue…)