Christmas Dump Cake

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This Christmas Dump Cake is what happens when cozy holiday flavors meet maximum ease. Imagine a buttery, crunchy crumb topping over a creamy cheesecake layer, all baked on top of a bed of sweet peaches and tart cranberries that bubble up around the edges. Every bite tastes like cheesecake, cobbler, and coffee-cake crumble decided to have a Christmas party together.

Because it’s a true dump-and-bake dessert, you don’t need any fancy skills or equipment—just a 9×13 pan and a few pantry staples like cake mix, canned fruit, and cream cheese. It’s the kind of quick holiday dessert you can throw together between wrapping gifts and setting the table, and it still comes out looking like something from a bakery.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Dump Cake

Christmas is busy, so dessert needs to pull its weight without stealing your time. This cake does exactly that:

• Ridiculously easy. No mixer required until the cheesecake layer, and even that comes together in a few minutes.
• Festive flavor in every layer. Cranberries bring bright tartness, peaches add juicy sweetness, and the vanilla cheesecake middle keeps everything rich and creamy.
• Perfect for sharing. Baked in a 9×13 pan, it slices into neat squares that travel well to potlucks, work parties, or family gatherings.
• Flexible and forgiving. Swap the fruit, play with the spices, or add nuts on top—the cake still bakes up beautifully.
• Make-ahead friendly. It actually tastes even better after it chills and the flavors have a chance to mingle.

What Fruit Works Best in Christmas Dump Cake?

The magic of this Christmas Dump Cake is the contrast between sweet, soft fruit and the rich cheesecake layer. A mix of peach pie filling, whole berry cranberry sauce, and a handful of fresh or frozen cranberries gives you the perfect holiday balance of sweet and tart.

You’re not locked into this exact combo, though. You can swap the peaches for apple pie filling, cherry pie filling, or even a mix of both. Just aim for one sweeter fruit (like peaches or apples) and one tangier element (like cranberries) so the dessert doesn’t become overwhelmingly sweet. Canned pie fillings keep this recipe fast and consistent, while the whole berries add little pops of texture.

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Ingredients

Before you preheat the oven, here’s a quick look at what you’ll need and why each ingredient earns its place in the pan. Remember, this is just the what and why—specific amounts will be in the printable recipe card.

• Peach pie filling – Brings juicy sweetness and a soft, jammy base that helps keep the bottom of the cake moist.
• Whole berry cranberry sauce – Adds tart, syrupy flavor with whole cranberries that tuck into the peach layer.
• Fresh or frozen cranberries – Boost the cranberry flavor and give bright, tart pops in every bite.
• Cream cheese – Creates the rich cheesecake-style layer that makes this dump cake feel extra special.
• Granulated sugar – Sweetens the cream cheese mixture and balances the tang from the cranberries.
• Eggs – Help set the creamy layer so it slices cleanly instead of staying overly soft.
• Sour cream – Adds tang and helps the cheesecake layer stay smooth and velvety.
• Vanilla extract – Warms up all the flavors and adds classic dessert aroma.
• Yellow cake mix – Forms the soft cake-like top layer and helps soak up some of the fruit juices as it bakes.
• Unsalted butter, melted – Soaks into the cake mix and crumb topping, creating golden, crisp edges and a rich flavor.
• Light brown sugar – Sweetens the crumb topping and brings a hint of molasses depth.
• Old-fashioned oats – Add texture and a cozy, streusel-style crunch to the top.
• Ground cinnamon – Gives gentle warm spice that pairs perfectly with peaches and cranberries.
• Kosher salt – Just a pinch to keep the cake from tasting flat and to sharpen all the sweet flavors.
• Festive sprinkles or powdered sugar (optional) – For a fun holiday finish that makes each slice look ready for the dessert table.

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How To Make the Christmas Dump Cake

This dessert layers up in one baking dish, and the oven does most of the work. Here’s how to build those cozy holiday layers step by step.

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven so it’s fully hot by the time your cake is assembled—dump cakes bake best when they go into a properly heated oven. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray to keep the sweet, sticky fruit from clinging to the sides.

Step 2: Build the Festive Fruit Base

Spread the peach pie filling evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan, making sure every corner gets some fruit. Spoon the whole berry cranberry sauce over the peaches and gently swirl it so the two mingle without fully blending. Scatter the fresh or frozen cranberries across the top so they’re evenly distributed.

Step 3: Mix and Swirl the Cheesecake Layer

In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract, then beat again until the mixture is silky and pourable. Dollop this cheesecake mixture over the fruit base and gently swirl it with a knife or spatula so you still see pockets of fruit peeking through.

Step 4: Sprinkle on the Cake Mix

Open the yellow cake mix and sprinkle it evenly over the entire surface of the pan. Try to cover the fruit and cheesecake layer completely with a light, even layer of dry mix—this will hydrate as it bakes and turn into a soft, fluffy cake topping.

Step 5: Add the Buttery Crumb Topping

In a separate bowl, stir together the old-fashioned oats, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Pour in part of the melted butter and mix until the oat mixture looks like damp, clumpy sand. Sprinkle this crumb mixture over the dry cake mix, then drizzle the remaining melted butter evenly across the top so as much of the cake mix and crumbs as possible get a little moisture.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly

Slide the pan into the oven and bake until the top is golden brown, the edges are bubbling with fruit, and the center feels mostly set when gently jiggled. The cheesecake layer will finish setting as the cake cools. Let the Christmas Dump Cake cool until it’s warm or room temperature before slicing—this makes the layers hold together nicely.

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How to Serve Christmas Dump Cake (and How Many It Feeds)

This Christmas Dump Cake is rich and satisfying, so a little goes a long way. Baked in a 9×13 pan, it comfortably serves about 12 people when cut into squares, making it ideal for family gatherings or holiday potlucks.

Serve it slightly warm for the coziest texture—the fruit will be jammy, the cheesecake layer creamy, and the crumb topping crisp. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top if you want extra indulgence. For a festive touch, finish each slice with a dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of red-and-green sprinkles right before serving.

How to Store Christmas Dump Cake

Because of the creamy cheesecake layer and the fruit, this dessert needs a little care once it’s baked.

After baking, let the cake cool to room temperature, then cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen as it chills, and the texture becomes even more cheesecake-like.

To reheat individual portions, microwave a slice for a few seconds until just warm, or pop a few slices into a low oven until heated through. If you’re feeding a crowd again, place the whole covered pan in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10–15 minutes, just until the edges are warm and the top regains a bit of its crispness.

This Christmas Dump Cake also freezes surprisingly well. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm gently before serving.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Christmas Dump Cake ahead of time?
Yes, this dessert is perfect for making ahead. Bake it the day before your gathering, let it cool, then cover and refrigerate. The cheesecake and fruit layers set up beautifully overnight, so the slices cut cleanly while still tasting rich and creamy. Just warm individual pieces or the whole pan slightly before serving if you like it warm.

Do I have to use peach pie filling, or can I swap the fruit?
You can absolutely swap the fruit. Apple pie filling, cherry pie filling, or even a combination of two different fillings all work well. The key is to keep one component sweet and one component tart. If you replace the cranberries, choose another tangy fruit like raspberries or a tart cherry filling so the cake doesn’t become overly sweet.

Does Christmas Dump Cake need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Because of the cream cheese layer and juicy fruit, it’s safest to refrigerate the cake after it has cooled. You can leave it at room temperature for about 2 hours while serving, but after that, any leftovers should go into the fridge in an airtight container.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free yellow cake mix and double-check that your pie fillings and oats are certified gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients—fruit, cream cheese, butter, sugar, eggs, and spices—are naturally gluten-free. The texture may be slightly different, but the flavors will still be delicious.

How do I know when the dump cake is done baking?
The top should be mostly golden brown with some deeper golden spots from the crumb topping. The edges will be bubbling with fruit, and the center will no longer look wet or shiny. A slight jiggle in the middle is fine, as the cheesecake layer will continue to set as it cools.

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Want More Holiday Dessert Ideas?

If this Christmas Dump Cake disappears faster than you expect, you might want a few more festive sweets up your sleeve. Try one of these cozy favorites next:

• Black Forest Trifle for Christmas for layers of chocolate cake, cherries, and whipped cream in a showstopping glass bowl.
• Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf if you’re craving a sliceable, tangy-sweet bread that pairs perfectly with coffee.
• Apple Crisp Cheesecake when you can’t decide between a creamy cheesecake and a crunchy-topped apple crisp.
• Christmas Truffles for bite-sized chocolate treats that are perfect on cookie trays or as edible gifts.

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this Christmas Dump Cake to your holiday dessert board so you can come back to it any time you need an easy, crowd-pleasing treat.

And when you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Did you stick with peaches and cranberries, or try a different fruit combo? Did you add nuts or extra sprinkles on top?

Share your tweaks, questions, and holiday baking stories—let’s help each other make the season sweeter. For even more festive baking ideas and everyday food inspiration, follow Life With Livia on Pinterest.

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