This classic dump cake is one of my all-time favorite easy desserts! It’s ridiculously simple to make and tastes crazy good.
If you’ve never tried this Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake recipe, you need to put it on your to-do list. Immediately.
Cherry pie filling and crushed pineapple create the perfect environment to support a buttery, yellow cake mix crust. These 4 ingredients make a scrumptious dessert for a crowd.
Delicious Dump Cake recipes are the best thing to serve no matter what the occasion. And these flavors together are like a party in your mouth.
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Originally posted March 20, 2013. I’ve updated the post to include more tips since dump cakes are my go-to recipe and I’ve them more than any other dessert over the years.
What is a dump cake
Yeah. You read that right. This is called a dump cake. Dump cakes are my favorite because they require hardly any work on your part but taste like pure magic.
Watch Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake video again over on YouTube!
It’s a classic open and pour situation. So quick. So simple.
You literally just dump and layer things in a baking dish and pop it in the oven. You don’t even need to mix. It’s perfect for when you have company over and such a popular potluck idea.
This Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake is insanely good. It’s one of those things that when you try to explain it to someone they are like, “yeah, none of that sounds amazing.”
Is this really the best recipe
I know my desserts. And this one is SO sweet and wonderful. I think this is the best ever recipe for Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake specifically. The balance of flavors is spot on.
The tart cherry pie filling mixes perfectly with the sweet, crushed pineapple. Topped with a cake-batter tasting crust, this buttery treat is everything a dessert should be.
It’s so good, in fact, I also made it into Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Cupcakes and made a Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake in the Microwave.
Full disclosure, I ate this whole cake in two days. Pretty much by myself. It’s awesome warm out of the oven and, in my opinion, even better served cold.
And although it is technically a dessert, it also works well for breakfast. And lunch. And snack time…Don’t judge me.
How to make a Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake
It only takes a few ingredients and a few minutes to make a Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake. It’s the best last-minute dessert to make when you’re having people over.
Just dump everything into your pan and finish getting yourself ready while it bakes. It is super unfussy which is great for having company over.
Ingredients
- 1 can Crushed Pineapple (not the tiny can and do not drain it)
- 1 can Cherry Pie Filling (Comstock is a great brand to use)
- 1 box Yellow Cake Mix
- 1 cup butter (or margarine if you have to use it for food restrictions)
Notes:
My son had a whole bunch of food allergies when he was younger so in order to make this pineapple cherry dump cake so he could have it, we had to swap out the butter and use margarine.
But it is NOT as good. Like, not even close. But it can be done.
I choose to use salted butter because I love salty and sweet together. And I don’t add salt to anything else I eat (aside from normal seasoning in the pan like real chefs) except for avocados and cherry tomatoes. But unsalted is fine too.
So I figure my sodium levels can take it. Are you ready for the amazing dump cake recipe steps? Hold on to your hats and glasses…
Some dump cake recipes call for just one stick of butter. But I prefer two. I like my cake mix crust to be buttery and delicious. And I think 2 sticks is able to give the dry mix a little more moisture.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grab a 9 x 13 pan.
Pour a can of crushed pineapple in your baking dish. Make sure that you didn’t drain it. You need that liquid to mix with the melting butter to create crust magic.
Spread the pineapple out so it covers most of the pan (seriously there is no wrong way to do this and you should not spend much time on it. Just dump it.)
Then pour a can of cherry pie filling over the top.
Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the fruit. Yes, the DRY cake mix. Do not add any of the other ingredients listed on the back of the cake mix box.
Try to cover the fruit fillings as evenly as you can. It will look like this when you are done. And even at this stage, it will smell SO yummy.
The hardest part of this recipe is melting the butter. Why can’t I get it to melt all nice and mellow? It always pops and blows up all over my microwave. Melting butter is super aggressive.
Once melted, all you do is pour it over the top of the dry cake mix. And that will smell even better than it did a minute ago.
Bake the Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake for an hour and it gets evenly goldeny brown and bubbly. And smells EVEN BETTER than you thought it could.
The edges get all crusty and the butter soaks into the dry cake batter…yum.
How to serve pineapple cherry dump cake
To serve the dump cake, spoon a heaping portion into a bowl. It is mostly made up of fruit after all…
While I prefer to eat my dump cakes plain, many people like to serve them with a topping of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
While it doesn’t immediately look like a dessert you would make when having guests over due to its somewhat sloppy demeanor, the taste is a total crowd-pleaser.
And your kids and male guests will get a good laugh when you call it a dump cake. So there’s that.
How to store dump cake
Dump Cakes will keep for several days in the refrigerator. I like to store them in their baking dish, covered in plastic wrap if I’m not ready to serve it. If it’s already been served, I’ll transfer the cake to a Tupperware container for storage.
It’s a pretty hearty dessert so if you aren’t planning to serve it for a few hours, you can leave it out on the counter until it’s time.
Top tips
A reader shared that she grates the butter over the top and that helps it spread a little evenly as it melts once it’s in the oven!
Or, you can slice pats of butter and lay them out, evenly, over the top of the dry yellow cake mix layer. As the butter melts in the oven, it will evenly cover the cake mix so it can create its pretty golden crust.
More easy desserts to try:
I’m kind of a dump cake connoisseur. You can check out all my dump cake recipes all in one place. While the Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake is my all-time favorite, I am pretty into the Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake as well.
- Best Ever Caramel Corn Recipe
- Strawberry Jello and Angel Food Cake Dessert
- Easy Peanut Butter Pie Recipe
- Pumpkin Dump Cake by Live Love Texas. (I’ve been dying to try a Pumpkin Dump Cake. I can’t wait until fall!)
Printable Dump Cake Recipe with Cherry and Pineapple
Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
This quick, 4 ingredient dessert is a classic recipe and what I always make when I need to treat a crowd. Easy Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake uses cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, butter and yellow cake mix to bake a golden, fruity masterpiece. Topped with whipped cream or eaten plain, this simple cake is the best way to end a meal.
Ingredients
- 1 can Crushed Pineapple, normal sized can, not a small one - do not drain
- 1 can Cherry Pie Filling
- 1 box Cake Mix, Yellow or White
- 1 cup butter
Instructions
- Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with Pam or other spray oil.
- Pour in the crushed pineapple and juice and spread out on the bottom of the pan.
- Pour the cherry pie filling on top (it will not spread out evenly but you can use a spatula to spread it out).
- Sprinkle dry yellow cake mix over the cherries.
- Melt butter and spoon over mixture, as evenly as possible.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Notes
Comstock brand is always a good choice for cherry pie filling. I went with an alternative brand last time and was disappointed. I like there to be nice chunks of cherry mixed in with the crushed pineapple.
In my opinion, yellow cake mix gives this simple dump cake the best buttery flavor. But white will work too.
You can swap out the butter for margarine in case you have certain dietary restrictions. The flavor won't be quite as buttery but will still taste amazing.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1 ServingsAmount Per Serving Calories 387Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 11gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 43mgSodium 457mgCarbohydrates 53gFiber 1gSugar 22gProtein 2g
Pin This Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake Recipe for Later
Are you a fan of dump cakes? I love how easy this is to make and eat at home or take with you to a party you’ve been invited to.
A Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake is a perfect dessert idea for just about any occasion! Do you make dump cake? Leave a comment and let me know how you make yours!
I am from the south and we have always served this dish with Cool Whip on top. Try it…It`s a perfect combination!
I made this many times, had so many people to think it’s rhubarb pie always a hit never many complaints always an empty’s dish to go home
YES! It’s SO good! I always try to bring a little bit home for breakfast. :)
Hi there! I love this idea and will be trying it soon!
Suggestion for your butter, if you put it in a oven safe dish while your oven is pre-heating, it melts perfectly! Just keep an eye on it!
That is such a great idea!!! Thank you for sharing!
I shred my butter over to top of the cake mix. Makes it a little more even.
I love this dump cake, but I do one thing differently. I mix the melted butter into the dry cake mix with a fork and fingers! It makes buttered crumbles. Then just sprinkle over fruit and bake. It makes a delicious crust and looks a bit nicer.
Oh!! I love that idea! Buttered crumbles sound absolutely delish!
I’ve made this recipe many times with many variations, but a whole cup of butter! I use 1 stick, cook halfway, and sprinkle sliced almonds on top to finish cooking. Gotta have that crunch!
Oh! The almonds sound delicious!! Thanks for sharing!
OMG! First time making this. Why have I not made this before, it’s so good and do easy. Thanks for sharing.
SO good! I literally can’t make it because I end up eating the whole thing! It makes a great breakfast. :)
My dad taught me to put a separate cup or dish of water in the microwave with butter, melts perfectly every time.
That’s such a great tip! I’ll have to give that a try!! Thank you for sharing!
All you have to do is melt the real butter on defrost and you will have not splatters or explosions.
Thank you! I will try that next time!!!
I have made this with pineapple cake mix. I have made that way and everyone loved it.
Hi! I only have pineapple in syrup on hand, do you think that could be used?
Hi Lori,
I don’t think pineapple syrup would work. You want the little bits of pineapple to mix with the cherry filling since it’s the only crunch in this dessert!
I think you misread Lori’s comment. She did not say she has ” pineapple syrup”. I believe she has a can of pineapple that is packed in sugary syrup rather than its own pineapple juice, and yes, the cake should be just fine with pineapple packed in syrup.
I made this alot and I also use blueberry pie filling. Yummy
you don’t need to melt the butter just cut a whole stick into pats and lay them across the top as even as you can.. can even add nuts on top of that if you like them pecans or walnuts.
Such a great idea! Thank you for sharing. I’m always looking for ways to make things even easier!! Plus that saves dirtying a dish!
to avoid splatters from butter, wet a coffee filter and place on top of small dish you have butter in. no splatter; also when warming up dinners, use the filters the same way; no splatters at all. been doing this for years. works.
That’s a great tip, Phyllis! Thank you for sharing!
I LOVE this cake & easy to make! I have made this several times & even COMBINED two fruits & pecans on top! I tried apple & cherry & I used the slivered BUTTER placed right on top of cake mix! I takes a/b 16 pieces of butter placed all over & around sides- but who counts- right? Served with ice cream & the group LOVED it & came back for seconds!!! Oh, if you want nuts just put them on top b/f baking- enjoy!
Sounds delicious!!! I’ve never had it with ice cream but I think I will next time for sure!
I want to try this recipe but I am gluten free, did anyone try it with a gluten free cake mix??
Hi! I’ve never tried it gluten free but I think it can be done. I found this post that has a link to a gluten free vanilla cake mix recipe. Hope that helps! https://glutenfreeonashoestring.com/gluten-free-blueberry-dump-cake/
Yes, I’ve used a regular store-bought gluten free cake mix and it turned out great!
That’s great to hear!!! I love that you can make that change and still enjoy this delicious dessert!
I found placing a paper towel over a 2 cup pyrex measuring cup to melt the butter keeps it from splattering the microwave.
I use the butter wrapper placed over the cubes in my 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup. No splatters at all.
GENIUS! Thank you so much for sharing!!!
I can’t believe someone else knows about this recipe!! It is amazing. Absolutely for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks! Two things: I thinly slice the butter (use a paring knife) and lay it all over the “dumped” cake mix instead of melting. And it tastes even better with a scoop of ice cream when warm. But cold is great too!!!
I’ve never tried it with ice cream but that sounds fantastic! I’ll have to try your butter technique next time too! Thanks for sharing!
I made the cherry, pineapple with some peaches Dump Cake last week for our Mah Jongg group. We served vanilla ice cream on top. They ate it up like there was no tomorrow. LOL…It was beyond delicious.
I have to thank the Pastor’s wife of Grace Church in Maryland Heights, Mo, Mrs Debbie Tucker, she gave me the recipe the week before at a Repass at church.
Yum! With vanilla ice cream on top?! I’m certainly going to have to try that!
I have been making this since the 1970’s when my moms friend shared the recipe. This is the first cake I could make on my own. Everyone use to love it and we still do. I use the sliced butter technique also. Everyone just loves it!!!
i make this almost every week for our church potluck lunch- people actually sneak back to get theirs and set aside (hide it somewhere) before lunch to be sure they get some of it!!
btw its not necessary to spray or oil the pan since your bottom layer is very juicy.
For mine, I use Butter Recipe cake mix (better than yellow), 1 1/2 sticks margarine (I prefer the flavor/texture! lol), & sprinkle chopped pecans all over the top before baking. :)
also, put a paper plate over the butter to melt it in the microwave in 30 sec increments and you won’t have a disaster. ;)
i love this! I add chopped walnuts or pecans to the top and slice the butter.
Sounds delicious, Julie!
This is so easy and you can keep everything on hand for a quick dessert. I put coconut on top of the cake mix before the melted butter. I’ve made it several different ways and it’s always good. GREAT warm with vanilla icecream.
OMG! The coconut sounds amazing! I’m going to have to give that a try!
I do it all in crockpot on high for 2hours,yummy
Such a great idea! I’ve never thought to try it in a crockpot!
We had this served at church the other night and it was AMAZING! Definitely a keeper!
And so easy!!!
You don’t have to melt the butter….. Just slice it into little slivers and place all over the top- works just fine & I use less butter… 1 1/2 sticks
Grew up eating this cake, always a favorite. We always just sliced the butter and placed it around the top. Came out great every time.
Love to hear that! That is even one step easier!
I added coconut then chopped pecans on top of the butter then baked the cake.
Sounds delicious!!!!
My step grandmother shared this recipe with me years ago. I love it. The yellow Jiffy cake mix is much better though.
Thank you for the tip! Jiffy, like the brand that makes the blueberry muffin mixes? I don’t think I’ve ever seen cake mix by them! I’ll be on the lookout!
looks super duper delish! Totally making it this weekend.
Love a good dump cake! This looks yummy.