Welcome to the easiest dessert you’ll ever make! This incredible strawberry dump cake requires minimal effort and simple ingredients, perfect for busy parents and beginner bakers. You just dump the ingredients into a pan and bake, making it ideal for any occasion. Prepare to impress everyone with this delightfully quick and easy treat.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Dump Cake

This simple strawberry dump cake recipe will quickly become a family favorite:

Effortless Preparation: Simply dump ingredients into your baking dish; no mixing bowls required.
Minimal Ingredients: You only need three main items for this delicious dessert.
Crowd-Pleaasing Dessert: It’s a comforting, warm treat everyone will adore.
Perfect for Beginners: This recipe is incredibly forgiving and guarantees success every time.
Customizable Flavors: Easily switch up fillings and cake mixes for endless variations.

Ingredients

Gather these essential components for your delightful strawberry dump cake. These straightforward ingredients ensure a tasty outcome with minimal fuss, staying true to our easy baking mission.

Cooking spray: For greasing the baking dish.
1 (21 oz.) can strawberry pie filling: The fruity base for our cake.
1 (15.25 oz.) box yellow cake mix: Provides the “cake” element without any added liquid.
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) cold butter, thinly sliced into square pats: Creates a rich, crispy topping.
Vanilla ice cream (optional): A classic topping for warm dump cake.

Notes & Substitutions

You can easily adapt this easy strawberry dump cake to your pantry and preferences.
For the pie filling, if you prefer fresh fruit, use about 3 cups of sliced strawberries mixed with 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cornstarch.
Yellow cake mix works wonderfully, but feel free to try white, strawberry, lemon, or even chocolate for different flavor profiles.
Cold butter is key; ensure it’s firm before slicing into thin pats. This helps achieve even coverage and a perfectly golden crust.

Equipment

You don’t need fancy tools for this simple strawberry dump cake. Gather these basic items:

9×13 inch baking dish: A standard size for family-style desserts.
Cooking spray or butter: Essential for greasing the pan to prevent sticking.
Offset spatula (optional): Handy for spreading the pie filling evenly.

Instructions

Making this easy strawberry dump cake is as simple as, well, dumping! Follow these steps for a delicious, bubbly dessert. Remember, the key to a perfect strawberry dump cake is to avoid stirring at all.

Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. This prevents the cake from sticking and ensures easy serving later.
Add Pie Filling: Open the can of strawberry pie filling. Dump the entire contents into the prepared baking dish. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the filling into an even layer across the bottom of the pan. This forms the moist, fruity base of your strawberry dump cake.
Sprinkle Cake Mix: Take the dry yellow cake mix and evenly scatter it over the top of the strawberry pie filling. Ensure the entire surface of the pie filling is covered with the dry mix. Do not mix it in!
Arrange Butter: Carefully place the thinly sliced, cold butter pats over the top of the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the cake mix as possible with the butter pieces. The butter will melt and create a delicious, crumbly topping as it bakes. This is crucial for a golden, crunchy crust.
Bake Cake: Place the baking dish in your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 50 to 60 minutes. The strawberry dump cake is ready when the top is beautifully golden brown, and the fruit filling underneath is visibly bubbly around the edges. A delightful aroma will fill your kitchen!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Mastering your strawberry dump cake is simple with a few key pointers.

Do Not Stir: This is the golden rule! Resist the urge to mix the layers. The distinct layers create the unique dump cake texture.
Even Butter Coverage: Ensure the butter pats cover the cake mix as thoroughly as possible. This prevents dry, floury spots on the topping and promotes even browning.
Check for Dry Spots: If you notice any areas of dry cake mix after about 30 minutes of baking, you can gently add a few more thin pats of butter to those spots.
Baking Time: Oven temperatures vary. Keep an eye on your cake; it’s done when golden and bubbly, not before or overdone.
Cooling: Allow the strawberry dump cake to cool slightly for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly and prevents burns.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

Elevate your delicious strawberry dump cake with simple additions. Serve warm with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream for a classic finish. Garnish with a few fresh sliced strawberries for an extra touch of sweetness and vibrant color. For flavor twists, try using other fruit pie fillings like cherry, peach, or pineapple. You can also swap the yellow cake mix for strawberry, lemon, or even chocolate cake mix for different profiles. Sprinkle in chopped nuts or white chocolate chips before baking for added texture and richness.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

This convenient strawberry dump cake is perfect for planning ahead or enjoying later. Store any leftover dump cake tightly covered in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions of cooled cake in airtight containers for up to 2-3 months. Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight. To reheat, warm individual servings gently in the microwave, or cover the entire dish with foil and heat in a 300°F (150°C) oven until warmed through. You can also assemble the cake ahead of time, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Nutrition Information

Please note that the following nutrition information is an estimate based on the ingredients listed for this strawberry dump cake recipe and will vary based on specific brands and serving sizes. This is provided for informational purposes only.

Nutrient	Per Serving (approx.)
Calories	350-400
Total Fat	18-22g
Saturated Fat	10-12g
Cholesterol	40-50mg
Sodium	300-350mg
Total Carbohydrates	45-50g
Dietary Fiber	1-2g
Sugars	30-35g
Protein	3-4g

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a dump cake?
A dump cake is an incredibly easy dessert where you “dump” ingredients like fruit filling and dry cake mix into a pan without stirring, then bake. The butter melts over the cake mix to create a crust.
The origin of dump cakes can be traced back to the 1950s with the rise of boxed cake mixes, simplifying the baking process significantly.
What is the biggest mistake to avoid with a strawberry dump cake?
The biggest mistake is stirring the layers! Resist the urge to mix anything together; the magic happens as the separate layers bake.
Can you refrigerate dump cake?
Yes, you can refrigerate this strawberry dump cake. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

Conclusion

This easy strawberry dump cake recipe truly simplifies baking, proving that delicious desserts don’t require complicated steps. With its minimal ingredients and straightforward “dump and bake” method, it’s an ideal treat for busy families and novice bakers alike. We encourage you to try this versatile dessert, experiment with your favorite fruit fillings and cake mixes, and make it your own. Enjoy the sweet rewards of this wonderfully simple strawberry dump cake!

Close-up of a generous slice of homemade-looking strawberry dump cake on a white scalloped plate, showcasing its golden cake base, vibrant baked strawberries, and crumbly golden-brown topping.

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