Easy layered strawberry dessert (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Base
01 -
2 cans (15-ounce each) strawberry pie filling
→ For the Cheesecake Layer
02 -
8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
03 -
1 large egg
04 -
¼ cup granulated sugar
→ For the Topping
05 -
1 box vanilla or white cake mix (15.25 ounce)
06 -
½ cup cold salted butter
07 -
Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)
# Instructions:
01 -
Turn your oven on to 350°F. Grab a 9×13 baking dish - no need to grease it, we're going for easy here!
02 -
Open those cans of strawberry pie filling and dump them into your baking dish. Use a spoon to spread it all out in an even layer. This sweet, jammy goodness forms the base of our cake.
03 -
In a mixing bowl, toss in your softened cream cheese, the egg, and sugar. Beat everything together until it's smooth and creamy. Don't worry if there are a few tiny lumps - it'll still taste amazing!
04 -
Take spoonfuls of your cream cheese mixture and drop them all over the strawberry layer. No need to be perfect here - just dot it across the surface. Gently spread it a bit with the back of your spoon, but don't worry about covering everything.
05 -
Open up that cake mix and sprinkle the dry powder evenly over everything. Just pour it right out of the box and shake it around until it covers the whole surface. This dry mix will magically transform into cake as it bakes!
06 -
Take your cold stick of butter straight from the fridge and slice it into thin pieces. Scatter these butter slices all over the top of the cake mix, trying to cover as much area as possible. The butter will melt and help that cake mix turn golden and delicious.
07 -
Pop your creation into the oven for about 40-45 minutes. You'll know it's done when the top looks golden brown and you can see the strawberry filling bubbling up around the edges. Your kitchen will smell amazing!
08 -
Let your cake cool for about 10 minutes before digging in. This gives everything a chance to settle. Serve it warm for a gooey treat or stick it in the fridge for a few hours if you prefer it chilled. Top with fresh strawberries if you're feeling fancy!
# Notes:
01 -
This is the ultimate lazy-day dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The layers create a magical combination - tart strawberries on the bottom, creamy cheesecake in the middle, and a buttery cake top.
02 -
Don't worry if your cake looks a bit rustic when it comes out of the oven - that's part of its charm! The cake mix might not cover completely evenly, and that's totally fine.
03 -
This dessert is even better the next day after the flavors have had time to mingle. If you can resist eating it all in one sitting, that is!