1. Preheat and Prep:
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
3. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and dust it lightly with flour to prevent sticking.
4. Prepare the Cake Batter:
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine your cake mix, eggs, oil, and water. Mix until smooth and lump-free.
6. Transfer the batter to the greased baking dish, using a spatula to spread it into an even layer across the bottom.
7. Create the Cream Cheese Layer:
8. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until creamy.
9. Slowly incorporate the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture is silky and well combined.
10. Add the Strawberry Filling:
11. Spoon strawberry pie filling or homemade strawberry compote over the cream cheese layer. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the strawberry filling into the cream cheese and batter. Don’t overmix—you want those beautiful, marbled layers!
12. Bake to Perfection:
13. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
14. A toothpick inserted into the cake portion should come out clean (avoid testing the cream cheese or strawberry layers).
15. Cool and Serve:
16. Allow the cake to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
17. Dust with powdered sugar or top with fresh strawberries for a finishing touch.

Pro Tip:

1. For an extra indulgent treat, serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!