Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake is a scrumptious combination of simple ingredients, like yellow cake mix, cherry pie filling, creamy butter, and crushed pineapple. It’s so easy to make, a real crowd-pleaser, and sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Why We Love This Recipe!
- 5 Simple Ingredients: With a couple of cans of fruit, vanilla extract, butter, and your favorite cake mix, make this delicious dump cake recipe!
- Easy Prep: Quickly combine the ingredients, then let the cake bake for 45 minutes. It’s a great dessert recipe for busy weeknights, party prep, or when you need a dessert in a hurry.
- Summer Flavors all year long: It is a great dessert year-round as the cherries are from a can.
I don't know about you, but I love an easy go-to dessert just about as much as I love easy dinners! This dump cake sure does fit that bill!
This dump cake recipe is the perfect go-to quick dessert when you unexpectedly have guests or just want a spontaneous dessert any ole day of the week.
It’s also great for planned events, like summer cookouts, office potlucks, and family gatherings.
Looking for more easy cake recipes perfect for summer? Try my Caramel Apple Dump Cake that you can also make in a slow cooker or a Pina Colada Poke Cake that pairs oh-so-nicely with a day by the pool. And you won’t regret making this Raspberry Fluff Cake Recipe that brightens any hot summer day!
Ingredient Notes
Stock these five simple ingredients to have on hand whenever needed!
How To Make Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and instructions!
Step 1 | Preheat and prepare
Begin this easy recipe by preheating the oven to 350° F. Now, prepare a baking dish with half a stick of butter or cooking spray.
Step 2 | Mix the wet ingredients
Next, add 2 cans of the cherry filling, crushed pineapples, and vanilla extract to the baking dish and mix until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Step 3 | Add the boxed cake mix and butter
Pour the cake mix and ½ cup of melted butter into a medium bowl. Then, mix with a fork until the two are fully combined. Be careful not to over-mix the ingredients.
This is an extra step to a traditional dump cake, but I love the texture and results!
Step 4 | Sprinkle Cake mix
Now, sprinkle some of the cake mix crumble on top with clean hands.
Using Dry Cake Mix Method: This is a true dump-everything-in method.
Alternatively, you can use the other method for adding the cake batter to the fruity filling. Add the fruit mixture to the bottom of a buttered baking dish. Then sprinkle the dry cake mix over the filling. Simply cut pats of cold butter and add it over the dry cake mix. It will magically mix as the butter melts while baking and create a delicious dump cake.
Finally, drizzle ¼ cup of the melted butter over the top of the cake mix crumble.
Step 5 | Bake
Slip the casserole dish into the oven and cook for 45 minutes or until the surface is golden brown.
Step 5 | Rest and serve!
Once it’s finished baking, remove the cake pan from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. Then, dig into your perfect dump cake!
Tips
- Do Not Over Mix – Only mix the ingredients until they are evenly combined. Over-mixing will lead to an undesired texture.
- Butter Slices – If preferred, chill and cut the butter into thin slices and add it to the top, rather than melting butter and drizzling it on top. (see dry cake mix instructions above)
- Real Butter – Use real butter, not margarine, for dump cake recipes.
Variations and Substitutions
Recipe FAQ's
Dump cake, once fully set, should be thick, moist, and gooey, like a cobbler, but not runny. Try draining the canned pineapple next time or baking the recipe for a little longer if your dump cake comes out a little too runny.
The number one rule for making a dump cake of any kind is to avoid overmixing it.
Yes! You can make this delicious dessert recipe and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve it a couple of days later. Set the cake out on the counter to come to room temperature or quickly warm it in the oven or microwave.
While I use a yellow cake mix here, you can use a white cake mix, butter cake mix, or even a butter pecan cake mix. Really any flavor you enjoy can be used. I bet lemon would be delicious as well.
Storage
Refrigerate: This simple dessert recipe is best fresh or the following day but can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature. This will help retain its texture and prevent condensation buildup. Then tightly sealed with plastic wrap or foil or place it in an airtight container.
Can You Freeze Dump Cake? I do not recommend freezing this recipe because the texture will differ greatly from the original once thawed.
What to Serve with this Cherry and Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe
There’s no better combination than gooey and warm dump cake served with a chilly scoop of ice cream. I traditionally serve it with vanilla ice cream, but you can try other flavors like my Blueberry Ice Cream or this summer-worthy S'mores Ice Cream Recipe. And don’t forget the Homemade Whipped Cream on top!
More Fruity Summer Desserts
- Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies
- Pineapple Casserole Recipe
- Mini Strawberry Tartlets
- Red, White, and Blueberry Cream Pie
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Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ sticks butter, (1 ¼ cups)
- 2 cans cherry pie filling, (21 ounce cans)
- 20 ounces crushed pieapple
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix, (butter and white also work)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- Butter (or spray with cooking spray) a 9x13 baking dish with ½ of one stick of butter before melting remaining butter.
- Add 2 cans of the cherry pie filling, crushed pineapples, and vanilla extract to the baking dish. Mix until fully combined.
- To a medium bowl add the cake mix and ½ cup (1 stick) melted butter. Mix with a fork until fully combined. Don’t over-mix it.
- With clean hands sprinkle the cake mixture on top.
- Drizzle ¼ cup of melted butter on top of the cake mix.
- Cook for 45 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
✱ Nikki's Tips
- Do Not Over Mix – Only mix the ingredients until they are evenly combined. Over-mixing will lead to an undesired texture.
- Real Butter – Use real butter, not margarine, for dump cake recipes.
- Butter Slices – If preferred, chill and cut the butter into thin slices and add it to the top, rather than melting butter and drizzling it on top (See dry cake mix method below).
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Anjali says
Omg this is the absolute best summer dessert! Made it for a picnic today and it was a hit!
Nikki Lee says
Thank you, Anjali! I agree, it is perfect for summer.
Cathleen says
I don't make dump cakes nearly enough, but this recipe is the one that I need to make next!! Thank you for the inspiration.
Beth says
This recipe just screams Summer!! Easy and crowd pleasing - perfect for a bbq or fun family dessert!
Nikki Lee says
Thank you, Beth!
Elizabeth says
The flavors of the cherries and pineapples complement each other nicely in this dump cake. Using a box mix makes this such a quick and easy recipe too!
Nikki Lee says
Thank you, Elizabeth. Easy desserts are the best. Especially when they are so scrumptious too!
Carrie Robinson says
Cherry & pineapple is such an unexpected flavor combo! 🙂 And I love how easy this cake is to make.
Nikki Lee says
Thank you, Carrie! We love this easy dessert too! It's a summer favorite!