Strawberry Dump Cake

Section: Indulgent Desserts for Sweet Endings

This strawberry dump cake is an ultra-simple summer dessert that brings sweet, buttery goodness with only three ingredients. A box of cake mix, strawberry pie filling, and butter transform into a luscious treat that’s perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Ideal for gatherings, cookouts, or family nights, it bakes into a crisp-topped, fruity-bottomed cake with minimal effort. Prepare it ahead and bake when needed for fresh-from-the-oven flavor. Add extra berries or a twist like chocolate or nuts for more fun.

A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Recipe Author Maria
Updated as of Sat, 28 Jun 2025 17:49:08 GMT
A bowl of strawberry dump cake. Bookmark
A bowl of strawberry dump cake. | foodbymary.com

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!

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

  • 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

How To Make Strawberry Dump Cake With Mix

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
A fork is being used to eat a piece of strawberry dump cake. Bookmark
A fork is being used to eat a piece of strawberry dump cake. | foodbymary.com

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 strawberry dump cake with a scoop of ice cream on top. Bookmark
A bowl of strawberry dump cake with a scoop of ice cream on top. | foodbymary.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling?

Yes, but the strawberries must be cooked down and thickened into a compote to match the consistency of pie filling.

→ What type of cake mix works best?

Vanilla, white, or yellow cake mix are all great choices. Strawberry or chocolate cake mix can also be used for variation.

→ Do I need to mix the ingredients together?

No mixing is required. Simply layer the ingredients in the baking dish and bake. That's what makes it a dump cake!

→ How can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Assemble all layers in the baking dish and cover tightly. Store at room temperature for a few hours or refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

→ What toppings go well with this cake?

Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, or caramel drizzle all complement the warm strawberry flavor wonderfully.

→ Can I use a different fruit filling?

Absolutely. Try apple, cherry, peach, or even mixed berry pie filling for a different flavor experience.

Strawberry Dump Cake

Sweet and buttery strawberry cake topped with ice cream. Perfect for easy summer desserts and gatherings.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cooking Time
45 minutes
Overall Time
55 minutes
Recipe Author: Maria

Dish Category: Desserts

Recipe Difficulty: Beginner-Friendly

Cuisine: American

Serves: 10 Serving Size (1 large 9x13-inch cake)

Dietary Options: Vegetarian

What You’ll Need to Cook

→ Main Ingredients

Ingredient 01 2 cans (21 oz each) strawberry pie filling
Ingredient 02 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
Ingredient 03 1/2 cup unsalted butter, sliced

Steps to Prepare

Step 01

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 02

Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 03

Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the top of the strawberry filling without mixing.

Step 04

Place sliced butter evenly across the surface of the cake mix to ensure even coverage while baking.

Step 05

Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and edges are bubbly.

Step 06

Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

Extra Cooking Tips

  1. You can prepare the unbaked layers ahead and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
  2. Try swapping one can of strawberry filling with apple or add fresh berries for variation.

Must-Have Tools

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Oven
  • Spatula or spoon
  • Knife for slicing butter

Allergen Information

Always check ingredient labels for allergens and seek expert advice if uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (cake mix)
  • Contains dairy (butter)

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are for guidance and aren’t a replacement for professional advice.
  • Calories Count: 290
  • Fats: 11 grams
  • Carbs: 46 grams
  • Proteins: 2 grams