Ingredients
- 1 can (21 oz) strawberry pie filling
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (white or vanilla cake mix also works)
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup milk (for extra creaminess in the cream cheese layer)
- 1/2 cup sugar (or powdered sugar, optional if you want the cheesecake layer sweeter)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for crunch)
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or shredded coconut (optional, for extra richness)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Base layer: Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Cream cheese layer:
- In a bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Dollop spoonfuls of this mixture over the strawberry pie filling, then gently spread it around (it doesn’t need to fully cover).
- Cake mix topping: Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the cream cheese and strawberry layers. Do not stir.
- Butter drizzle: Pour the melted butter evenly over the cake mix. Try to cover as much as possible—this helps create a golden, crisp top.
- Optional add-ins: Sprinkle nuts, white chocolate chips, or coconut on top for added texture and flavor.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly.
- Cool slightly: Let it sit for at least 15–20 minutes before serving so the layers set.
Serving Ideas
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Chill it and serve cold for a cheesecake-like texture.
- Top with fresh sliced strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream for a bakery-style presentation.
Tips & Variations
- Berry swap: You can use blueberry, cherry, raspberry, or mixed berry pie filling instead of strawberry.
- Cake mix swap: Try white, vanilla, or even strawberry cake mix for a twist.
- Extra cheesecake layer: Use two packs of cream cheese if you want a thicker, richer cheesecake base.
- Gluten-free version: Use a gluten-free cake mix.
Benefits
- Quick & Easy – Only a few ingredients and minimal prep.
- Crowd Pleaser – Perfect for potlucks, parties, or family dessert.
- Customizable – Works with any pie filling and cake mix flavor combo.
- Budget-friendly – Simple ingredients, big flavor.
