A blast from the past, this easy Dump Cake recipe only takes 4 ingredients. Switch up the filling ingredients depending on what you have on hand or what your favorite flavor is. A scoop of ice cream on top takes it to another level!
Years ago, we started a Sunday night dessert tradition. Basically, it was just a way to ensure that we all could sit down to dessert once a week. Usually it’s something easy, like chocolate chip cookies, and other times, I’ll try out a new recipe.
We are not always on top of it, though. Sometimes we have dessert leftover from something I made during the week. Sometimes, I’m too tired and just want to be out of the kitchen for the night.
On the nights when I don’t feel like getting crazy or fancy, I usually make up something that is super easy and super fast. Let’s be honest – that will often be a box of brownies. But then I started throwing this dump cake into the mix, because really, I’d say it’s almost easier than making a box of brownies!
4 ingredients are all you need. No mixing. This really takes 5 minutes or less to have it oven ready. And you can totally get crazy with the flavors.
It may be totally old school, but it really doesn’t get much easier!
How to Make Dump Cake
4 ingredients – that’s all you need! Here is how easy it is to throw this easy dessert together.
Start by spreading a can of pie filling into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
Next up is the can of crushed pineapple. You don’t drain this. And since your pie filling is already in the dish, it’s harder to spread it, so I just take a spoon and drop spoonfuls of the pineapple over the pie filling. Just make it as even as possible. You can use the back of your spoon to gently spread it, if needed, as well. It doesn’t have to be perfect!
Next take your dry cake and sprinkle it over the top of the pineapple.
Your last step is the butter. I take half of it and melt it and pour it over the top, then cut the remaining butter into small pieces and place them evenly over the cake. I find that this is the best way to make sure the butter gets to all of the cake mix to make a perfect cake. I don’t end up with any dry spots this way.
Bake the cake until it is golden brown on top and the filling is bubbling around the edges. I like to serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. (Although a spoonful when it’s cold from the fridge is delicious, as well!)
Dump Cake Variations
One of my favorite things about this cake is how easy it is to switch things up. The very first time I made a dump cake was when I found a can of blueberry pie filling hiding in my food storage and this was a great way to use it up. Here are a few of our favorite combinations, but feel free to branch out and try others, as well!
- Strawberry pie filling, crushed pineapple, white cake mix
- 2 cans cherry pie filling, chocolate cake mix
- 2 cans blueberry pie filling, lemon cake mix
- 2 cans apple pie filling, spice cake mix
- Peach pie filling, canned peaches, yellow cake mix
- And for a from scratch version, try this Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dump Cake
More Easy Dessert Recipes
Spice Cake Caramel Blondies
Blueberry Cobbler
Indoor S’mores
No Bake Cheesecake Recipe
Caramel Brownies
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Dump Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- 1 can (15 to 20 oz) crushed pineapple*
- 15.25 oz box packaged yellow cake mix
- 1 cup butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Spread the pie filling in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Evenly pour the pineapple over the top of the cherry pie filling.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the pineapple.
- Melt 1/2 cup of the butter and pour evenly over the top of the cake mix.
- Take the remaining 1/2 cup of butter and cut into small pieces. Place the pieces of butter over the top of the cake.
- Bake the cake in the preheated oven until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges, about 40 minutes.
- Serve the cake warm with ice cream, if desired.
Britt says
I always have just poured the pineapple and pie filling in and mixed it around/leveled together instead of trying the layered approach! This has been a family favorite for years though!
Kim says
great recipe! I have been making dumpcake for years, but the addition of 1 stick butter cut into pieces makes it so much better.
Jessica says
The ultimate easy dessert!