Let me tell you about the first time I made strawberry dump cake, it was one of those “I can’t believe this actually works!” moments. I had friends coming over in 20 minutes, zero time to fuss, and a serious dessert emergency. Three ingredients later, I had this magical, bubbling pan of sweet strawberries and golden cake that smelled like heaven. The best part? Everyone thought I’d slaved away for hours! This recipe is my go-to when I need something ridiculously easy but still totally impressive. That perfect combo of juicy strawberries, buttery cake topping, and that irresistible crisp edge? Absolute perfection.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Dump Cake
This strawberry dump cake is the ultimate lazy baker’s dream, and trust me, I’ve tested it on my laziest days! Here’s why it’s a keeper:
- 3-ingredient magic: Pie filling, cake mix, butter, that’s it! No fancy techniques or weird pantry runs.
- Emergency dessert hero: From oven to table in under an hour when surprise guests arrive.
- Foolproof: Even my 10-year-old nephew can’t mess this one up (and he’s tried).
- Crowd-pleaser: The buttery crisp top with jammy strawberries underneath disappears every time.
Seriously, if you can dump and stir, you’ve got this.
Strawberry Dump Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the pie filling, covering it completely.
- Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Ingredients for Strawberry Dump Cake
Here’s the beautiful part, you probably already have most of this in your pantry right now! I always keep these staples on hand for last-minute dessert emergencies. Just three simple ingredients transform into something magical:
- 1 can (21 oz) strawberry pie filling, Don’t skip the “pie filling” part! Regular jam won’t give you that luscious, thick strawberry layer. I’ve tried name brands vs. store brand here, and honestly? Both work great.
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix, The classic choice, but here’s my secret: I sometimes use white cake mix when I want a slightly crisper, more delicate top. Either way, don’t prepare the mix, we’re using it straight from the box!
- ½ cup (1 stick) melted butter, Real butter only, please! Margarine just doesn’t give you that rich, golden crust we’re after. I usually melt mine in the microwave in 15-second bursts so it doesn’t get too hot.
See? Told you it was simple. Now let’s make some magic happen!
Equipment You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe? You don’t need fancy gadgets, just two trusty kitchen staples:
- 9×13-inch baking dish, My well-loved ceramic one works best, but glass or metal are fine too. No need to overthink it!
- Mixing bowl, For melting that butter (though honestly, I’ve been known to just use a measuring cup in a pinch).
That’s it, no mixer, no special tools. Just dump and bake!
How to Make Strawberry Dump Cake
Okay, ready for the easiest baking tutorial of your life? Here’s exactly how I make my famous strawberry dump cake, step by simple step. You’ll be shocked how three ingredients turn into something this delicious!
Step 1: Prep the Baking Dish
First things first, grab that 9×13-inch dish and give it a quick grease. I use butter (surprise!), but cooking spray works in a pinch. No need to go overboard, just a light coating to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Layer the Strawberry Filling
Now pour that glorious strawberry pie filling right into the dish. Spread it evenly with a spoon, we want every bite to have that jammy strawberry goodness. Pro tip: tilt the dish to help it settle into all four corners.
Step 3: Add the Cake Mix
Here comes the magic, sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the strawberries. No mixing! Just let it sit there like a cozy blanket. Try to cover every inch so there are no bare spots.
Step 4: Drizzle with Butter
Take your melted butter and slowly drizzle it all over the cake mix. I like to do this in a zigzag pattern to cover as much surface area as possible. The butter’s what gives us that gorgeous golden crust!
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top turns that perfect golden brown and you see little bubbles of strawberry goodness peeking through the cracks. That smell? Pure heaven.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Dump Cake
After making this dump cake more times than I can count (okay fine, it’s my secret midnight snack), here are my foolproof tricks for absolute perfection:
- Butter temperature matters: Melted butter gives a crisp top, but cold butter chunks create irresistible crumbly pockets, try both!
- Oven check: All ovens lie. Start checking at 40 minutes, edges should be bubbly and top golden, not burnt.
- Let it rest: I know it’s hard, but 10 minutes of cooling lets the strawberry layer thicken up beautifully.
- Mix it up: Add a handful of white chocolate chips or sliced almonds on top before baking for extra wow factor.
Trust me, these little tweaks take your dump cake from “good” to “where’s my spoon?!”
Serving Suggestions for Strawberry Dump Cake
Oh, the fun part! While this beauty stands alone just fine, here’s how I take it to the next level:
- Vanilla ice cream: The classic pairing, that hot-cold contrast is everything.
- Fresh whipped cream: Dollop it on warm slices for a cloud-like finish.
- Extra berries: Toss on some fresh strawberries for a pretty pop of color.
Breakfast? No judgment, just add coffee!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This cake keeps like a dream! Just cover it tightly (I use foil or plastic wrap) and stash it in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, just enough to bring back that fresh-baked magic. The top gets extra crispy if you warm it in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes. Pro tip: The strawberry layer gets even more flavorful on day two!
Strawberry Dump Cake Variations
Once you’ve mastered the classic, try these fun twists, I’ve tested them all for you!
- Fruit swap: Cherry or blueberry pie filling work just as well (my husband begs for peach).
- Crunchy add-ins: Sprinkle chopped pecans or sliced almonds on top before baking.
- Spice it up: Add ½ tsp cinnamon to the cake mix for a cozy twist.
- Chocolate lover’s: Use chocolate cake mix instead of yellow, game changer!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s be real – we’re not eating dump cake for its health benefits, right? But because I know you might be wondering (or tracking), here’s the scoop: these numbers are ballpark estimates based on standard ingredients. Your actual counts might dance around a bit depending on the exact brands you use. That said, one serving of this glorious strawberry dump cake typically lands around 320 calories. The real magic? That first bite of warm, buttery goodness makes every single one worth it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling?
Oh, I wish! But trust me, pie filling is key here, its thick consistency keeps the cake from getting soggy. Fresh berries release too much juice while baking. If you’re desperate, mix 3 cups chopped strawberries with ¼ cup sugar and 2 tbsp cornstarch to mimic pie filling texture.
Can I make strawberry dump cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! I often prep it up to the baking step, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Just add 5 extra minutes to the bake time since it’s going in cold. The butter might harden on top, that’s totally fine!
Why is my dump cake soggy?
Three likely culprits: too much butter (stick to ½ cup), underbaking (wait for those golden edges!), or stirring the layers (resist the urge, the magic happens when you don’t mix!). If it’s still too wet, try baking 5-10 minutes longer next time.
Can I freeze leftovers?
You bet! Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes to revive that crispy top. The texture changes slightly, but it’s still delicious!
For more simple baking ideas, you might enjoy exploring other easy dessert resources.
