Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Consistent temperature is crucial for even baking, ensuring that the cake cooks uniformly and achieves the desired texture. While the oven preheats, you can move on to preparing the rest of the ingredients.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray. This prevents the cake from sticking to the bottom and sides of the pan, making it easier to serve and clean up afterwards. You can also line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, for even easier removal.

Step 3: Layer the Strawberries

Spread the sliced fresh or frozen strawberries evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This layer provides a burst of fresh fruit flavor and creates a moist, fruity base for the cake. If using frozen strawberries, there is no need to thaw them beforehand.

Step 4: Add the Strawberry Pie Filling

Pour the can of strawberry pie filling over the layer of strawberries. Ensure that the pie filling is evenly distributed, covering the entire surface of the strawberries. This layer adds sweetness and intensifies the strawberry flavor of the cake. You can experiment with different pie filling flavors if you prefer.

Step 5: Make the Cheesecake Layer

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and free of lumps. This creates the luscious cheesecake filling that adds richness and tanginess to the cake. The key to a smooth cheesecake layer is to ensure that the cream cheese is adequately softened before mixing.

Step 6: Drop the Cheesecake Mixture

Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the strawberry layer. There's no need to spread it out evenly; the dollops will melt and create pockets of creamy cheesecake throughout the cake as it bakes. Distributing the cheesecake mixture randomly ensures that each bite contains a perfect balance of fruity and creamy flavors.

Step 7: Sprinkle the Cake Mix

Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the entire surface of the cheesecake layer. Ensure that the cake mix covers the cheesecake mixture completely, creating a uniform layer that will form the crumbly topping of the cake. Avoid mixing or stirring the cake mix; it should remain dry and loose on top.

Step 8: Drizzle the Melted Butter

Slowly and evenly drizzle the melted unsalted butter over the dry cake mix. Ensure that the butter covers as much of the cake mix as possible, as it will help to bind the ingredients together and create a golden-brown, buttery crust. Again, avoid stirring or mixing the ingredients at this stage.

Step 9: Bake the Cake

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. The edges of the cake should be slightly crisp, and the center should be set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Step 10: Cool and Serve

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. This allows the cake to set and prevents it from being too crumbly when cut. Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with whipped cream for an extra touch of sweetness and indulgence