Strawberry Dump Cake

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
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This sweet and buttery strawberry dump cake recipe is made with a box of cake mix for a truly easy summer dessert. Made with just 3 ingredients and served warm with vanilla ice cream, it’s sure to become your new favorite!

A warm strawberry cake made easy with a box of cake mix is served in a bowl topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Why I Love This Strawberry Cake Recipe

I don’t know if pie filling and cake mix has ever been this good! This strawberry dump cake is absolute magic. It takes just three inexpensive, simple ingredients and transforms it into everyone’s favorite summertime dessert. I’ve brought this big cake to pool parties, picnics, block parties and all other summer festivities you can think of and one thing always remains true – it’s a crowd pleaser that I almost never have leftovers of! Check out why I make it every summer:

  • Super Easy: You don’t need to worry about over-mixing or anything like that, just dump everything in and bake it!
  • Classic: Dump cakes are a family-friendly dessert that everyone loves with a crisp and buttery cake topping and fruit filled bottom.
  • Great for Gatherings: Bring it to your next potluck or cookout and you will be the star of the day! You can prep the cake ahead and then pop it into the oven whenever you are ready.
  • A La Mode: Bright strawberry pie filling makes this a perfect recipe for the summer. Served warm with a scoop of ice cream, it will disappear in seconds!

Dump cakes are famously easy! Check out more of my favorites like pumpkin dump cake, peach dump cake and caramel apple dump cake.

What Is A Dump Cake?

Dump cakes are a traditional American dessert. They are named dump cakes because you don’t have to mix anything, just dump all the ingredients into a dish and bake! They can be made with a variety of sweet and fruity fillings like strawberry pie filling for convenience. Compotes can be used as well.

Think of it like a cobbler! This easy dessert consists of two layers, with the bottom layer being the fruit filling. The top layer is a crisp and buttery cake topping, often made with dry cake mix and sliced or melted butter.

Strawberry dump cake ingredients in order from top to bottom: cake mix, strawberry pie filling, butter.

Key Ingredients

A box of cake mix is a simple, sweet canvas that allows tart strawberries to shine! Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact amounts!

  • Strawberry Pie Filling: You can also use preserves or homemade compote, but it needs to be thickened.
  • Cake Mix: A box of vanilla, yellow or white cake mix all work great! For extra strawberry flavor, you can also use a box of strawberry cake mix.
A bowl of warm strawberry dump cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top with a fork taking a bite.

How To Make Strawberry Dump Cake With Mix

It’s called dump cake because you just need to dump everything into the baking dish! It’s the perfect low-effort easy dessert. Below is a quick recipe overview, but please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full instructions.

  • Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease the baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Fill: Spread the pie filling in the baking dish and sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix on top. Evenly place sliced butter as the final layer.
  • Bake: Pop it into the oven and bake until golden brown and with bubbly edges, about 45 minutes.
  • Serve: Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, and serve warm with ice cream. Enjoy!

Chef’s Tips and Variations

  • Prepare Ahead: You can prepare this cake ahead, but do not bake. Instead, wrap tightly with saran wrap or foil. Cake can be stored at room temperature for up to a few hours, or store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed.
  • Strawberry Apple: I often make this cake with a mixture of strawberries and apples in one! Just swap one of the cans of strawberry pie filling for apple pie filling.
  • Chocolate: If you love chocolate and strawberries, try using a chocolate cake mix on top instead. Add a few chocolate chips and you will be in chocolate strawberry heaven!
  • Add-ins: Sprinkle in half a cup of chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or shredded coconut over the pie filling (and beneath the cake mix). You can also mix fresh berries into the canned filling for even more fruity goodness.
  • Toppings: Besides ice cream, you can top this cake with whipped cream, chocolate sauce or salted caramel sauce on top for more flavor. It’s also delicious with a hearty drizzle of homemade Nutella!
A bowl of warm strawberry dump cake with a crisp and butter topping served with a scoop of ice cream.
A bowl of warm strawberry dump cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top with a fork taking a bite.
5 from 1 vote
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Yield: 8 Servings

Strawberry Dump Cake

This fruity strawberry dump cake recipe is made easy with a box of white cake mix! Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it's an easy dessert perfect for the summer.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour

Ingredients

  • 2 (21 oz) cans strawberry pie filling
  • 1 (14.25 oz) box white cake mix
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into slices
  • 6 fresh strawberries, optional garnish
  • Vanilla ice cream, optional for serving

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Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Spread the strawberry pie filling in the prepared baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle the cake mix over the pie filling, making sure to cover the filling completely. Arrange the sliced butter evenly over the cake mix.
  • Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the golden brown and edges are bubbling.
  • Let rest for 5 minutes and then serve with a scoop of ice cream.

Notes

Store: Place cooled cake in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Microwave in 30-second intervals until warm. If reheating a large amount, you can reheat it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, until warmed through.
Prep Ahead: You can prepare this cake ahead, but do not bake. Instead, wrap tightly with saran wrap or foil. Cake can be stored at room temperature for up to a few hours, or store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed.
Freeze Ahead: This method only works for assembling the cake and freezing before baking. Fill a foil baking dish as usual and cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter for 2 hours before baking as usual.
Strawberry Apple: I often make this cake with a mixture of strawberries and apples in one! Just swap one of the cans of strawberry pie filling for apple pie filling.
Chocolate: If you love chocolate and strawberries, try using a chocolate cake mix on top instead. Add a few chocolate chips and you will be in chocolate strawberry heaven!
Add-ins: Sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans, almonds, cranberries, chocolate chips, or shredded coconut over the pie filling (and beneath the cake mix) for extra texture. You can also mix fresh berries into the canned filling for even more fruity goodness.
Toppings: Besides ice cream, you can top this cake with whipped cream, chocolate sauce or salted caramel sauce on top for more flavor. It’s also delicious with a hearty drizzle of homemade Nutella!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving, Calories: 479kcal, Carbohydrates: 84g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 380mg, Potassium: 34mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 52g, Vitamin A: 355IU, Vitamin C: 32mg, Calcium: 147mg, Iron: 2mg

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Jessica
For the past 15 years, Jorge & Jessica have loved getting to share their families' favorite recipes with all of you. They live in Florida with their 3 kids.