Donna Wood Strawberry Cheesecake (Print Version)

Strawberries, cheesecake, and cake mix unite for a luscious treat with cheesecake swirls and crumbly topping.

# Ingredients:

→ Fruit Layer

01 - 2 cans (21 ounces each) strawberry pie filling

→ Cheesecake Layer

02 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Cake Layer

05 - 1 box (15.25 ounces) vanilla or white cake mix
06 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

→ Optional Toppings

07 - Powdered sugar
08 - Fresh strawberries
09 - Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with unsalted butter or a nonstick spray.
02 - Spread both cans of strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish, ensuring a smooth, even layer.
03 - In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add granulated sugar and vanilla extract; continue to mix until creamy and fully incorporated.
04 - Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture on top of the strawberry filling, spacing evenly without spreading. Pockets of cream cheese will create marbled swirls once baked.
05 - Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the entire surface, covering strawberry and cream cheese layers thoroughly. Do not stir.
06 - Pour melted butter evenly over the surface of the cake mix, ensuring maximum coverage. Butter will absorb into cake mix and create a golden crust.
07 - Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until golden brown and strawberry filling bubbles at the edges. If any dry spots appear after 30 minutes, drizzle with 1-2 tablespoons of additional melted butter and continue baking.
08 - Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving so layers retain their texture. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally garnished with powdered sugar, fresh strawberries, ice cream, or whipped cream.

# Notes:

01 - If desired, use only vanilla cake mix for a richer flavor or white cake mix for a lighter result.
02 - Do not overmix the cream cheese layer; leaving visible swirls enhances texture.

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