Let’s be honest—sometimes we just want a dessert that’s fast, easy, and absolutely delicious without all the fuss. Enter the dump cake. Don’t let the name throw you off—it’s not as messy as it sounds! A dump cake is a super simple dessert where you literally “dump” a few pantry staples into a baking dish and pop it in the oven. No mixing bowls. No stand mixer. No complicated steps. Just pure comfort in a pan.
This is the kind of recipe your grandma might’ve whipped up on a Sunday afternoon or brought to potlucks when time was tight but the dessert had to impress. Sweet, warm, and buttery with a golden cake top—dump cake is pure, nostalgic joy.
Quick Facts
Here’s a quick peek at what this recipe is all about:
| Course | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty | Super Easy |
| Servings | 8 |
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 45–50 minutes |
| Calories | ~320 per serving |
Equipment Needed
You don’t need much for this recipe, and that’s the beauty of it. Here’s what you’ll want to have ready:
- 9×13-inch baking dish – Glass or metal, both work fine.
- Can opener – You’ll need this to open your fruit filling.
- Spatula or spoon – To spread the fruit evenly.
- Measuring cup (optional) – Only if you want to be precise with the butter.
- Oven mitts – Safety first! Always use them when removing the dish from the oven.
You don’t even need a mixing bowl. This is the perfect dessert for when your kitchen tools are in the dishwasher or you’re just not in the mood to clean up.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make a classic dump cake:
- 1 box of yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 2 cans of cherry pie filling (21 oz each)
- 1 can of crushed pineapple (20 oz, undrained)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, thinly sliced
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch
- Optional: Ground cinnamon for a warm spice note
Instructions
Making dump cake is as easy as 1-2-3. Seriously!
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Dump the cherry pie filling and crushed pineapple (juice included) into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the top of the fruit. Do not stir.
- Dot the top with butter slices, covering as much surface area as possible.
- Add nuts and a dash of cinnamon if you like.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Essential Note:
For best results, make sure the butter covers most of the cake mix. If some dry spots remain, they may turn powdery after baking. You can also melt the butter and drizzle it evenly across the top to prevent dry areas. Don’t stir the ingredients together—dump cake is meant to be layered, which creates that crisp top and gooey fruit filling.
