1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish: Getting Ready to Bake

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray. This will prevent the dump cake from sticking and make it easier to serve.

2. Create the Strawberry Base: A Sweet and Fruity Foundation

1. Spread Pie Filling: Open the cans of strawberry pie filling and spread them evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

3. Make the Cheesecake Layer: A Creamy and Tangy Swirl

1. Beat Cream Cheese: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until it’s smooth and creamy.
2. Add Sugar and Egg: Add the granulated sugar and egg to the cream cheese. Beat until well combined.
3. Combine: Beat until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps of cream cheese.

4. Assemble the Dump Cake: Building the Layers

1. Drop Cheesecake Mixture: Drop spoonfuls of the cheesecake mixture over the strawberry pie filling in the baking dish.
2. Spread Slightly: Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to gently spread the cheesecake mixture, creating an even layer. It doesn’t need to be perfectly smooth, and it’s okay if some of the strawberry filling peeks through.
3. Sprinkle Cake Mix: Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the cheesecake layer, covering it completely.
   • Tip: Try to distribute the cake mix as evenly as possible to ensure even baking.

5. Add the Butter: Creating a Golden-Brown Topping

1. Slice Butter: Thinly slice the cold salted butter into small pats or squares.
2. Distribute Evenly: Distribute the butter slices evenly across the top of the dry cake mix.
   • Tip: The butter will melt during baking and seep into the cake mix, creating a moist and flavorful topping.

6. Bake to Perfection: Achieving a Golden-Brown and Bubbly Dessert

1. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
2. Baking Time: Bake for 40-45 minutes.
   • Check for Doneness: The dump cake is done when the topping is golden brown, and the filling is bubbly around the edges.

7. Cool and Serve: Enjoying Your Creation

1. Cool Slightly: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the dump cake cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly.
2. Serve Warm or Chilled: You can serve the Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake warm, at room temperature, or even chilled, depending on your preference.
3. Garnish (Optional): Garnish with fresh strawberry slices for a beautiful presentation.