Name: Strawberry Dump Cake – Strawberry Dessert Recipes Easy and Delicious
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 2 (21-ounce) cans strawberry pie filling; 1 box yellow cake mix; 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted; Optional: fresh strawberries, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream for topping

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We’ve all had that one day where baking felt like climbing Everest barefoot. I remember mine—it ended with a flour-covered kitchen, one very confused dog, and zero cake. That’s when I discovered this little gem: strawberry dump cake. You don’t need to be a pastry chef or even own a whisk that isn’t bent. If you can open a can and turn on the oven, you’re 98% there. So, what makes this dessert so charming? It’s the no-fuss, no-mess, all-flavor combo. We’re talking canned strawberry pie filling, a sprinkle of boxed cake mix, and a buttery finish that practically sings. It’s got a gooey center, a crisp golden top, and that warm strawberry hug that makes your kitchen smell like summer. Whether you’re whipping this up for a backyard BBQ or just need a dessert that doesn’t ask too many questions, this strawberry dump cake has got your back. The best part? You don’t even have to dump a lot of effort into it. See what I did there?

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Strawberry Dump Cake Recipe
3) Ingredients for Strawberry Dump Cake
4) How to Make Strawberry Dump Cake
5) Tips for Making Strawberry Dump Cake
6) Making Strawberry Dump Cake Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Strawberry Dump Cake
8) Try these Desserts next!
9) Strawberry Dump Cake
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Strawberry dump cake is one of the easiest and fastest dessert recipes you can make.
You only need three main ingredients: pie filling, cake mix, and butter.
It bakes into a gooey, golden treat that tastes like you actually tried.
Great for beginners, weeknights, potlucks, or unexpected dessert emergencies.

2) Easy Strawberry Dump Cake Recipe

I love desserts that require minimal effort. That’s where this strawberry dump cake comes in. It’s the kind of recipe that doesn’t ask for a mixer, a timer, or even a brain at full capacity. You’re tired, hungry, and craving something sweet? This cake understands you.

The idea behind it is simple and slightly brilliant. You layer strawberry pie filling at the bottom of your baking dish, dump a box of dry cake mix on top, and drizzle melted butter like you’re Jackson Pollock of dessert. Pop it in the oven, and somehow you end up with a warm, golden, bubbly dessert that tastes like something grandma would’ve made—if grandma was short on time and big on shortcuts.

It’s comforting. It’s low-effort. And it makes your kitchen smell like you’ve been baking all day. I promise no one will know you didn’t. This is the magic of strawberry dessert recipes easy enough for a Tuesday night meltdown or a weekend get-together.

3) Ingredients for Strawberry Dump Cake

Strawberry Pie Filling: This is the heart of the dump cake. Use two cans, and don’t overthink it. I’ve used generic store brand and name brand. Both worked just fine. If you’ve got fresh strawberries, I’d say save them for something fancy. This cake doesn’t need fancy.

Yellow Cake Mix: This is the second magic wand in this recipe. No mixing required. You just sprinkle it like fairy dust across the top. And no, don’t add eggs or oil or any of that box nonsense. Keep it dry and let the butter do its thing.

Butter: Melt it and pour it like you’re giving the cake a warm hug. The butter soaks through the dry mix and turns it into a golden crust on top. If you’re like me, you’ll want to use salted butter. Adds a little oomph to the sweetness.

Optional Toppings: Ice cream, whipped cream, or even a dusting of powdered sugar works wonders. I’m personally team vanilla ice cream because it melts over the warm cake like a dream.

4) How to Make Strawberry Dump Cake

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease your baking dish, unless you enjoy chiseling cake from corners. I use a 9×13-inch dish because it bakes evenly and gives me an excuse to eat the edge pieces first.

Step 2: Dump both cans of strawberry pie filling into the dish. Use a spoon to spread it evenly. It should look like a jammy lake of goodness. Try not to eat it straight from the can—although I won’t judge if you do.

Step 3: Sprinkle the entire box of dry yellow cake mix over the top. Don’t stir. Just let it sit like a little cake blanket covering the strawberries.

Step 4: Drizzle melted butter across the dry mix. I try to get it as even as I can, but you know what? If there’s a dry patch, it’ll still be tasty. Imperfection is kind of the point here.

Step 5: Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes. The top should be golden and slightly crisp. The edges will bubble up with strawberry goo, and that’s when you know it’s ready. Let it cool a few minutes so you don’t burn your tongue. (Been there.)

5) Tips for Making Strawberry Dump Cake

If you’ve never made a dump cake before, welcome to your new obsession. One tip? Don’t worry about perfection. It’s supposed to be rustic. Uneven butter? Still great. Lumpy topping? Even better.

Want to play around a bit? Mix up the filling. You could use one can strawberry and one can pineapple, or cherry. Just keep the fruit-to-cake-mix ratio about the same. No need to measure, just eyeball it like a true kitchen rebel.

And if you want to make this more decadent, toss in a handful of white chocolate chips or crushed graham crackers on top. It’ll bake right in and give you that ooey-gooey texture with a crunchy finish. This is one of those quick and easy dessert recipes that really lets you put your spin on it.

6) Making Strawberry Dump Cake Ahead of Time

This cake does fine made a few hours ahead, but it really shines fresh from the oven. That said, if you’re planning a dinner party or just trying to get ahead, go ahead and bake it in the afternoon. Leave it at room temp, loosely covered, and warm it in the oven for 10 minutes before serving.

If you’re prepping for a potluck, you can assemble everything ahead of time but don’t bake it until you’re close to go time. The cake mix will soak too much of the fruit juice and turn gummy if it sits too long uncooked. Learned that one the hard way.

Some folks freeze theirs after baking, but I personally think it loses its magic that way. Part of what makes this one of the best strawberry dessert recipes easy enough for any night is that freshly-baked smell and texture.

7) Storing Leftover Strawberry Dump Cake

If you’ve got leftovers—and that’s a big “if”—pop them in an airtight container and stick them in the fridge. They’ll keep for up to 4 days, though honestly, I’ve never had them last that long at my house.

To reheat, just scoop a portion into a microwave-safe bowl and nuke it for about 20 to 30 seconds. Top with whipped cream or ice cream if you’re living your best life.

Don’t worry if it looks less glamorous the next day. It’s a dump cake, not a runway model. The flavor is still fantastic, and some say it’s even better the day after.

8) Try these Desserts next!

9) Strawberry Dump Cake