What is pineapple dump cake?

I would classify it as a cake because it is made with cake mix. However, it is more like a crumble than a cake. The ingredients are dumped in a cake pan one at a time and then topped with butter. When you serve it, just scoop it like ice cream. The first recipe, found back in the 1960s, called for a box of white cake mix, a can of cherry pie filling, and melted butter on top. It was easy and done in minutes.

Why is my dump cake so runny?

It is possible that you did not drain your pineapples or cherries well enough. You have to ensure you get all those excess juices out, or the fruit will be swimming in liquid. The only liquid you should be adding to this is melted butter and then some of the pineapple juice on top. Don’t add too much juice, though, or the whole cake can end up gooey and runny.

What else can I use instead of regular cake mix?

If you don’t like yellow or white cake, you can use any of the cake mix flavors on the market. As mentioned, a brownie or muffin mix would also be good for consistency. In fact, since you are just using the dry mix, you could use pound cake, bundt cake, or sponge cake. As long as you don't use the ingredients listed on the back of the box, it will not change the texture of this dessert much.

How do you tell when the dump cake is done?

You obviously cannot use the toothpick test on this cake because it will always come out gooey since the bottom is all fruit. The best way to know it is done is to follow the instructions carefully. Baking is a science. If you skip or change a step, you could mess up the whole thing. You can also expect the top to turn golden brown and the fruit to be bubbly.

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Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe [Video]

Name: Pineapple Dump Cake
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 40 oz pineapple tidbits (or use a combo tidbits and crushed pineapple - reserve the juice from one can); 1 cup maraschino cherries (without tail); 15.25 oz yellow cake mix (or white); 1/2 cup butter (melted); 1/4 cup light brown sugar

Pineapple Dump Cake requires 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time. It is loaded with sweet pineapple chunks and juicy cherries in each bite. This is one of the easiest cake recipes you will ever make. You don’t always need perfectly layered cakes or elaborate and time-consuming desserts. Sometimes, the simplest things taste the best, and this is one of them!

overhead shot of a plate with pineapple dump cake with maraschino cherries

Why you will love this recipe
What you’ll need to make pineapple dump cake
- Special Items
- Ingredients
How to make pineapple dump cake from scratch?
Expert tip
- The importance of not stirring

If you have some cake mix and pineapples, you can make this scrumptious pineapple dump cake in minutes. It is one of the easiest desserts I have ever made, and everyone who tries it absolutely loves it. This is the perfect dessert to make when you are in a hurry, but still want something delicious. It is great for potluck get-togethers and for bbq parties. The minimal prep work will save you lots of time.

The taste reminds me of pineapple upside-down cake but even juicier. With the pineapples and cherries at the bottom, the cake bakes up soft and almost gooey. The light tropical flavor goes great with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a summer dessert.

Now, the most important (and unusual) step in this recipe is not really a step you have to do. It is something you should NOT do. That is mixing or stirring. You are not going to do that with this recipe. There is no stirring, just dumping the ingredients. It’s so easy, anyone can do it! This cake and this strawberry crisp are on repeat all summer long.

Why you will love this recipe

You cannot mess it up: No matter how you make this cake, it will be the same. It has fruit on the bottom, and it is coated with a sweet and gooey layer of buttery brown sugar, pineapple juice cake crust on top.
No stirring: You must not stir anything or ensure your cake looks perfect. The whole point is that your cake looks like you dumped it in the dish and cooked it. Because those are the instructions.
It was very inexpensive: I used a box of cake mix, canned pineapples, cherries, and brown sugar. The whole thing cost me just a few dollars to make.
Any way you like it: Mix it up. Use a different flavor cake, another fruit, or add some extras like chocolate chips or sprinkles.

pineapple maraschino cherries, cake mix, butter, brown sugar, pineapple, in bowls arranged on a table, to make pineapple dump cake

What you’ll need to make pineapple dump cake

Special Items

Cake pan – I use a 9×13-inch cake pan.
Aluminum foil – To cover the cake.
Offset spatula – For leveling out the fruit.

Ingredients

Pineapple tidbits – I prefer Del Monte in the can, but you can use whatever brand you like.
Maraschino cherries – Get the ones in the jar without the stems.
Cake mix—Get a high-quality cake mix for this since it is one of the few ingredients you need. I like yellow cake for mine because it pairs well with the fruit.
Butter – Salted or unsalted. Melted butter to coat the top of the cake crumbs for browning and crispiness.
Brown sugar – I use light brown sugar because it is so mild, and I don’t want it to cover any of the other flavors. Dark brown sugar is very deep and reach, sometimes overpowering.

How to make pineapple dump cake from scratch?

Preheat: To begin, set your oven to 350 degrees F to preheat and coat a 9×13-inch baking pan or cake pan with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray.
Prepare the bottom: In the meantime, pour the two cans of drained pineapple tidbits and spread them evenly in the baking dish with an offset spatula or wooden spoon.
Prep the cake: Next, In the bottom of your prepared pan, add the two cans of drained pineapple tidbits and add cherries.
Add cake mix layer: Then, sprinkle dry cake mix all over the pineapple, making it as even as possible. Pour the reserved pineapple juice on top of the cake mix carefully. Try not to pour too much in one spot.
Add sugar and butter: After, add the brown sugar over the cake mix layer before you drizzle butter all over the top of the cake mixture.
Bake: Finally, bake for 45 minutes or until the pineapple is bubbly and golden brown around the edges.
Cool and serve: Last, let the cake cool for 20 minutes before you flip it over onto a serving dish. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

photo collage of steps how to make pineapple dump cake

Expert tip

The importance of not stirring

Stirring is a big mistake with a dump cake. The ingredients are not made to be combined in that way. You want layers of individual kinds of fruit covered with a coating of cakey goodness. You are not going to be frosting or slicing this cake. Like a crisp or crumble, you serve this with a spoon or scoop. Mixing it up would take away from the texture of the topping.

With layers, your topping will be more like a cobbler than a cake, so you should not expect to spread frosting and add candles to this one. For many who have been baking for a long time, not stirring may be difficult. Mixing ingredients by stirring has always been a step in recipes from soups and stews to cakes and brownies.

You will also have to fight that urge to follow the directions on the back of the cake box. Just ignore them because they are not part of this recipe. In fact, this is one of those recipes that can be changed in many ways, from this yellow pineapple version to a chocolate strawberry dump cake.