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.
Mina says
Forgot about this recipe , was one of my favorites … great
BobbieAnne says
This recipe is great it tasted exactly like my mom use to make when I was a kid. When I was getting the cherries I noticed they have a Carmel apple pie filling which sounds yummy. Any suggestions on the flavor cake mix to use with the Carmel apples?
Deborah says
That sounds delicious! I would try a yellow cake mix or a spice cake mix.
Victoria says
I used the Cinnabon cake mix with apple filling and did not use the pineapple… sprinkled cinnamon sugar over cake mix and butter!
It was sooooo good!
Deborah says
That sounds delicious!
John Zelenak says
So easy and delicious
Kathee Griffin says
This dump cake is so easy and so delicious. I follow the recipe exactly and today I am making it for my birthday. My husband says this is favorite dessert. I am not a cook, especially not a baker, and it is wonderful with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Leftovers are heated in the microwave for 45 seconds to warm and the ice cream goes on top makes it tastes like it is straight from the oven. Thank you so much for this very easy recipe.
Linda says
ive recently been put on a lowfat to no fat diet bc of gallbladder issues, is there a substitute for the butter besides oil or other fat? would applesauce work if i mix the mix with applesauce before pouring it over the fruit?
Deborah says
Hi Linda – I’m not sure if applesauce would work because I haven’t tried it. If you try it, let me know how it turns out.
Debbie Vincent says
Thank you for sharing your recipes with us,I made the Martha Stewart recipe before but I’m trying yours this morning 🌞we’ll see,it looks delicious and I’m sure it will be 👍 Thank you for sharing👍🍒🍍❤️💛💚
Deborah says
I hope you love it!!
Ladonna Creel says
do you drain the pineapple
Deborah says
Hi Ladonna, you do not drain the pineapple. Just pour the whole can on.
Mama says
My mom used to make a dump cake when I was a kid, 40+ years ago, using 1 can peaches and 1 Jiffy blueberry muffin mix instead of the fruit and cake mix in this recipe and half any other ingredients. Soooo delicious!!!
AmbalaCakes says
I really like your recipe.
Laojd says
I had to extend the baking time and increase the baking temperature to get it done and browned.
TheFlowersPoint says
I really like your recipe. I always order cakes online via bakery but after reading you I will definitely try it out at home.
Karin walker says
we love dump cake, this recipe is delicious and super easy. I’m a mom of six who loves to bake. every mom needs this recipe in her book! my go to for sure!
Meriwether says
I used peach pie filling and added a drained can of peaches to even out the fruit. Spread the pineapple undrained evernly and sprinkled the (white) cakemix over the top. Drizzled the 1/2 c melted butter over the mix and dotted the tope with the onestick of butter in pieces as suggested. Looks great! Will ask thepeople at church tonight for their thoughts! Thanks! You just saved the lives of 4 eggs! Blessings to you!
Janie says
I want to try this recipe but make 2x. do I use a bigger pan?
Deborah says
I haven’t tried doubling the recipe. It takes a 9×13-inch baking dish, so you’d need a pretty large dish to double it. I would suggest baking it in 2 pans.
Susan says
How big a can of crushed pineapple the small 8oz or large 16oz? Thank you
Deborah says
It is the large can of crushed pineapple. Hope you enjoy it!
Chloe says
This was delicioso!! I substituted blueberry filling and it definitely deserves a 5 ⭐️ rating. Easy to make and yummy in the tummy.
Norm Nelson says
Smash Hit! I made this night before last and shared with two neighbors. Now my doorway and my phone are jammed with requests for Dump Cake. I’m going to bake the Strawberry with white cake mix variety tonight so that I may have a second serving.
Becca says
I have been making dump cakes since the 70s but I do mind completely different I melt a stick of butter in the bottom of the pan, sprinkle strawberry cake mix over the top and spread out. Then I mix my pineapple and triple berry pie filling in a bowl and evenly spread over the top. Always moist throughout
Sherry K says
This is an easy, amazing recipe. the butter on top makes the cake mix turn into an almost pie-crust type crust. I think putting the butter and cake mix on the bottom with the fruit on top would totally change the outcome. You mentioned “moist”. I’m guessing it turns out much more of cake-like .