Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Cake Base & Filling

01 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced into bite-sized pieces
02 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
03 - 15 ounces yellow cake mix (one standard box)
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted until just liquid
05 - ½ cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 cup milk, at room temperature
07 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

# Instructions:

01 - Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cake will bake evenly from the start.
02 - Grease your baking dish thoroughly to prevent any sticking - nobody wants to leave half their cake in the pan!
03 - In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until you get a smooth, luxurious mixture without any lumps.
04 - In a separate bowl, combine your cake mix with milk and melted butter until everything comes together into a smooth batter.
05 - Start with half of your cake batter, spread it evenly in the dish. Layer your fresh strawberries on top, followed by dollops of the cream cheese mixture. Finally, cover everything with the remaining batter and crown it with the last of your strawberries.
06 - Pop it in the oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.

# Notes:

01 - Use seasonal strawberries for the best flavor - they'll make your cake absolutely irresistible!
02 - Try adding some fresh lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for an extra burst of brightness.