There is something mighty satisfying about a dessert that comes together with almost no fuss and still steals the whole show. This slow cooker 3-ingredient strawberry lemonade dump cake is the kind of sunny-day treat that feels right at home at a pool party, church picnic, or family cookout. The sweet strawberries and tangy lemonade make a cheerful old-fashioned combination, and the slow cooker does the work while you get on with the rest of the day.
Serve this warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped topping if you like. It also pairs nicely with fresh strawberries, a glass of iced tea, or a little pitcher of lemonade on the side. For a backyard gathering, I like to set it out right in the slow cooker and let folks spoon it into bowls while the ice cream waits nearby in a cooler.
Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Strawberry Lemonade Dump Cake
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 box lemon cake mix
1 can strawberry pie filling, about 21 ounces
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Directions
1. Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker crock. Spoon the strawberry pie filling into the bottom and spread it into an even layer.
2. Sprinkle the dry lemon cake mix evenly over the strawberry filling, covering the top from edge to edge without stirring.
3. Drizzle the melted butter as evenly as you can over the cake mix. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the filling is bubbly and the top looks set with golden patches.
4. Turn off the slow cooker and let the dump cake rest uncovered for about 15 minutes before serving so the filling settles slightly. Spoon into bowls and serve warm.
Variations & Tips
Add a citrus finish: If you have a fresh lemon on hand, a little finely grated lemon zest over the top just before serving adds a brighter lemonade flavor and makes the whole dessert taste even fresher.
Make it extra rich: For a more buttery topping, use a little more melted butter and drizzle carefully so fewer dry spots remain. A few dry patches are perfectly normal in a dump cake, but more butter will give you a deeper golden finish.
Try a different fruit filling: Raspberry or cherry pie filling also works nicely here if you want the same easy method with a different flavor. The lemon cake mix still gives that cheerful tart-sweet balance.
Keep the lid closed: Try not to lift the lid during cooking unless you must. Slow cookers need that trapped heat to build the topping and bubble the fruit filling properly, and opening the lid can slow things down.