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#### Instructions:
1. **Preheat the Oven:**
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your oven is at the right temperature for baking the dump cake.
2. **Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture:**
In a medium-sized bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy. You can use a hand mixer or simply beat it by hand with a whisk or spoon. Once the mixture is smooth, add the vanilla extract and mix again.
3. **Assemble the Cake Layers:**
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the dish. Then, carefully spoon the cream cheese mixture over the pie filling, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
4. **Add the Cake Mix:**
Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the cream cheese layer. Don’t mix or stir; just spread it out as evenly as possible. The cake mix will act as the topping and form a crust-like layer when baked.
5. **Pour the Butter:**
Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix. Make sure the butter covers the cake mix as much as possible, as this will create a golden and crispy topping during baking.
6. **Optional Cinnamon Topping:**
If you’re using cinnamon, sprinkle it lightly over the top of the butter and cake mix for an extra layer of flavor.
7. **Bake the Dump Cake:**
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly. The exact time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it as it bakes.
8. **Cool and Serve:**
Once the dump cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This gives the layers a chance to set and makes it easier to serve. If desired, garnish with fresh strawberries for an extra pop of color and flavor.
### Serving Suggestions
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is delicious on its own, but here are a few ideas to elevate the experience even further:
– **Serve with Whipped Cream or Ice Cream:** A dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream is the perfect complement to this warm, fruity dessert. The creaminess of the whipped cream or ice cream balances the richness of the cake, making each bite even more indulgent.
– **Add a Drizzle of Strawberry Sauce:** For extra strawberry flavor, drizzle some homemade or store-bought strawberry sauce over the top of the cake before serving.
– **Pair with a Cup of Coffee or Tea:** If you’re serving this dessert for an afternoon gathering, it pairs wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea.
– **Top with Crushed Nuts:** For added texture and flavor, sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts on top of the cake. This adds a crunchy element to the soft, gooey layers.
### Variations of Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
While the traditional Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is delicious, you can experiment with different variations to suit your taste or dietary preferences. Here are some ideas to get you started:
– **Berry Mix Dump Cake:** Instead of using just strawberries, you can make a mixed berry version by using a combination of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. The sweet and tart mix of berries adds complexity to the flavor.
– **Lemon Cheesecake Dump Cake:** If you love the combination of strawberry and lemon, consider adding lemon zest or lemon juice to the cream cheese mixture. The tanginess of lemon pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the strawberries.
– **Gluten-Free Version:** If you’re gluten-sensitive, you can easily adapt the recipe by using a gluten-free cake mix. There are many gluten-free options available in stores, and they work just as well as regular cake mix in this recipe.
– **Sugar-Free Option:** For those looking to reduce sugar intake, you can use sugar-free strawberry pie filling and sugar substitutes in the cream cheese mixture. Just make sure to check the labels for other ingredients to ensure they fit within your dietary restrictions.
– **Coconut Cheesecake Dump Cake:** If you love coconut, sprinkle shredded coconut on top of the cake mix before adding the butter. The coconut adds a delightful flavor and texture that complements the strawberries and cheesecake.
### Tips for Success
– **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** For the cream cheese mixture to blend smoothly, make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature. Cold cream cheese can be difficult to mix, and you’ll end up with lumps in the filling.
– **Don’t Stir the Cake Mix:** When adding the cake mix, resist the urge to stir it. It’s important to leave it dry on top so that it forms a cake-like crust when baking.
– **Check for Doneness:** Every oven is different, so make sure to check the cake’s doneness by looking for golden brown color and bubbly edges. The center should also feel firm to the touch.
– **Serve Warm:** This dessert is best enjoyed warm, as the creamy layers and the cake topping are at their most delicious when served right out of the oven. However, you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
### Conclusion
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is a simple, delicious dessert that combines the classic flavors of strawberry cheesecake with the ease and convenience of a dump cake. With minimal ingredients and preparation time, you can enjoy a warm, comforting dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, having a casual get-together, or craving something sweet, this dump cake will surely be a hit.
With its rich layers of strawberry filling, creamy cheesecake, and buttery cake topping, this dessert is sure to become a new favorite. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and treat yourself to a slice (or two!) of this decadent treat. Enjoy!
