This oven baked 5-ingredient strawberry dump cake is the sort of easy, humble dessert that has shown up at Midwestern potlucks and church suppers for generations, just in different outfits.

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This oven-baked 5-Ingredient Strawberry Dump Cake is the kind of simple, comforting dessert that has been passed around at Midwestern potlucks, family reunions, and church suppers for generations. While the ingredients may have evolved over the years, the idea remains the same: layer a handful of pantry staples into a baking dish, slide it into the oven, and let the magic happen. The result is a warm, bubbly strawberry filling hidden beneath a buttery, golden cake topping that is crisp around the edges and tender in the center. It is proof that some of the best desserts require very little effort while delivering incredible flavor.

Perfect for busy weeknights, last-minute gatherings, or whenever you’re craving a homemade dessert without spending hours in the kitchen, this strawberry dump cake comes together in just minutes. Best of all, there is no mixing bowl, no complicated techniques, and only five simple ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Dump Cake

This recipe has remained popular for decades because it offers everything home bakers appreciate:

Only five inexpensive ingredients.
No mixer or complicated preparation.
Ready for the oven in minutes.
Sweet, buttery, and bursting with strawberry flavor.
Perfect for holidays, potlucks, picnics, and family dinners.
Easily customized with different fruits or toppings.

The combination of juicy strawberries and buttery cake creates a dessert that tastes like a cross between a cobbler and a crisp.

Ingredients

You’ll need just five ingredients:

1 can (21 ounces) strawberry pie filling
2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
½ cup unsalted butter, melted (or 1 stick, sliced into thin pats)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but highly recommended)

Kitchen Equipment

9×13-inch baking dish
Measuring cups
Knife and cutting board
Spoon
Oven

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier.

Step 2: Build the Strawberry Layer

Spread the canned strawberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the baking dish.

Scatter the sliced fresh strawberries over the pie filling. The fresh berries add texture, natural sweetness, and a brighter strawberry flavor that balances the richness of the cake.

If using vanilla extract, drizzle it evenly over the fruit.

Avoid stirring the layers together. Keeping the fruit at the bottom allows it to become thick and bubbly while baking.