This easy dump cake recipe is a classic with only 4 ingredients! Switch up the cake flavor and filling for an effortless fruit dessert that is simple, quick and crowd-pleasing.
Quick and Easy Dump Cake
This easy dump cake,is one of the easiest dessert recipes! All you need are four simple pantry ingredients including cake mix and a fruit filling.
It’s similar to cobbler but simple and quick to make with cake mix and pie filling. Other boxed cake mix recipes that are a blast from the past include poke cake and gooey butter cake!
In the fall we make apple dump cake and pumpkin dump cake, but this one with cherry pineapple is a favorite year round. All you need is 5 minutes prep, then just dump, stir, bake and serve warm with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream!
Recipe Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Dry cake mix
- Pie filling
- Crushed pineapple
- Unsalted butter
Substitutions and Variations
- Cake mix: I prefer this recipe with yellow cake mix although any flavor will work including white or vanilla cake mix.
- Cobbler dump cake: Use fresh cherry pie filling or try peach pie filling for dessert easier than peach cobbler or apple pie filling for apple cobbler.
- Topping: Add some cinnamon sugar, chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts or sprinkle on some streusel topping.
- Crockpot: Add cans of fruit filling to the bottom of the slow cooker. Mix cake mix with melted butter and sprinkle on top. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
How to Make a Dump Cake
- Dump 2 cans of fruit into the bottom of a greased 9×13″ baking dish. Make sure to spread the fruit out evenly in the pan.
- Add dry cake mix on top of the fruit. Ensure cake mix covers most of the fruit.
- Thinly slice butter and place on top of cake mix. It will melt and bake into the cake mix, creating a rich and delicious topping.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes, or until the top layer is golden brown and bubbly. Enjoy this cobbler with cake mix warm!
Storing and Freezing
- Store: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 – 4 days. If you like to enjoy it warm again, reheat it in the microwave.
- Freeze: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm.
Dump cakes are one of the easiest cake recipes to make! Other favorites include chocolate dump cake, blueberry dump cake and peach dump cake.
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Dump Cake Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 28 ounces cherry pie filling , 1 large can
- 15 ounces crushed pineapple , 1 can
- 18 ounce box yellow cake mix
- 12 Tablespoons butter , cold
Optional: Chopped nuts, vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease the bottom of a 9×13" pan. Pour the crushed pineapple into the bottom of the pan. Then top with the cherry pie filling.
- Dump the cake mix over the fruit. Then slice the butter into thin pieces (about 24 pieces) over the top. I place 6 rows of butter across the top and 4 down, so it melts evenly. Top with nuts if desired.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
Notes
- Peach: Use 2 cans undrained sliced peaches in heavy syrup. Or use 1 can sliced peaches and 1 can crushed pineapple.
- Apple: Use 2 cans apple pie filling and top with chopped nuts. You can also use homemade apple pie filling if preferred.
- Blueberry: Use 2 cans blueberry pie filling or 4 cups fresh blueberries + 1/2 cup sugar.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Cake + Cupcakes, Crisps + Cobblers, Desserts, Fruit Desserts, Kid-Friendly, Reader Favorites
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Can I use apple and pineapple
Yes, sounds yummy! You can follow this recipe https://www.iheartnaptime.net/apple-dump-cake/
simple and good
So glad you enjoyed it!
This cake was so easy and delish! I shared the recipe with my Mom so she could make it, too!
Only 4 ingredients and easy to keep on hand for special dessert nights! It is so simple and tastes even better!
So glad you enjoy it!
This was so simple and no effort at all, perfect since I’m not a baker. Loved how it turned out and so did my family.
So glad you found this easy recipe!
We loved it. Used fresh raspberries with 1/3 cup sugar and crushed pineapple. Soo good . Today we are using fresh blueberries!
This was so easy! It is so yummy too! My friends and I all loved it. I have printed this recipe and will make it with a variety of pie fillings for sure!!
Great, walnuts on greased bottom, then sprinkle blueberries, two cans of peach filling, the cake mix and butter tabs, yum!
Absolutely delicious!
Can you use fresh rhubarb instead of canned fruit?
I have this rhubarb crisp recipe you can try with fresh rhubarb in it! https://www.iheartnaptime.net/strawberry-rhubarb-crisp/
I love a dump cake so easy! I don’t know why but I haven’t made one in years. I guess I just forgot about them. One question – I can’t remember do you need to spray the pan?
Yes, spray the pan to avoid the cake from sticking to the pan.
Made this exactly as written and it was delicious! I”m not much of a baker so to have something taste great and be fail proof was great. I did follow a previous review’s suggestion and gently mix the ingredients together before putting the butter on and baking. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
And don’t forget the pumpkin pie dump cake!! Actually my most favorite!! Just mix below together and use as your first layer. We prefer it to pumpkin pie. ( nuts on top)
1 – 29oz. can pumpkin
4 eggs
1 – 13 oz. can evaporated milk
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. Clove ( nutmeg if you prefer)
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
Yes we love pumpkin too! Here’s another version :) https://www.iheartnaptime.net/pumpkin-cake/
Making this cake this morning for company.
When cooled, does it cut and serve like a regular cake?
Or, does it come out more as a crumble?
Thanks so much.
It cuts more like a crumble :)
Do I drain the crushed pineapple for the dump cake
No I don’t drain it :)
My favorite go-to recipe! I love this cake but in high altitudes, I’ve learned the hard way, the ingredients need to be lightly mixed in order to not end up with dry powder cake mix on top.
Thanks for sharing these tips, Belle. This is great information to share.
My 12yo said it was delectable! You read right he said delectable!
My husband yelled from the man cave, “what is this deliciousness honey?” “Is there anymore?”
Thanks for making me a baking rock star tonight. I love baking, but I wanted to make something easy tonight.
What a compliment!! This makes us so happy to hear that the recipe was such a hit with your family!