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.
Originally posted March 20, 2013. I’ve updated the post to include more tips since dump cakes are my favorite recipes and I’ve made them more than any other simple dessert recipe 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.
It’s a classic open and pour situation. So quick. So simple.
Watch my Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake video again over on YouTube!
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.”
Still have questions? Check out my post for Everything You Need to Know About Dump Cakes! And for sure make a Peach Dump Cake, Blueberry Dump Cake, and a Strawberry Short Cake Dump Cake.
Do you love dump cakes? Sign up for my newsletter and get an exclusive dump cake recipe not posted on my site!
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 Dump Cake with Pineapple 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.
You can also make a Cherry Dump Cake in the Crockpot.
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 cake pan or baking dish and finish getting yourself ready while it bakes. It is super unfussy which is great for having company over.
You can find a printable recipe card for this yummy dessert further down in the post.
Ingredients
- Crushed Pineapple (not the tiny can and do not drain it)
- Cherry Pie Filling (Comstock is a great brand to use)
- Yellow Cake Mix
- 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.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grab a 9 x 13 pan. Use a cooking spray to lighting grease it. This cake doesn’t stick all that much but using a prepared baking pan will help to make clean up a little easier.
Pour a can of crushed pineapple in your baking dish. Make sure that you didn’t drain it. You need that pineapple juice 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 filling over the top. Seriously, this fruit filling adds SO much flavor.
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 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 golden 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.
This is the perfect dump cake to start with as it’s a classic flavor combo and always gets rave reviews. But then get creative and try out some other easy cake recipes.
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 whipped cream and maraschino cherries. Or a scoop of ice 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 of this delicious dessert 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 fruity cake to an airtight container, like a Tupperware, for storage.
It’s a pretty hearty dessert so if you aren’t planning to serve this cherry and pineapple dump cake 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 lay out slices of butter 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.
- Add some chopped pecans or macadamia nuts on top next time for an added crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nothing really needs to cook on this cake, mostly you care heating the dump cake ingredients through. The melted butter mixes with the dry cake mix to create a crust. When there are no pools of butter and the crust looks golden brown, the dump cake is ready.
Dump cakes can come in all kinds of flavor combination. But I love this classic Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake so much! The pineapple adds texture and sweetness but I wouldn’t say that the pineapple flavor is very strong. The cherry pie filling is a dominate flavor and when paired with that buttery, cake mix crust, it’s like the most amazing fruit cobbler you’re ever tasted.
Per this article, dump cakes were first mentioned in 1980. Obviously the name comes from dumping the ingredients into a dish, no stirring required!
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.
But these are more easy recipes to try if dump cakes aren’t your thing.
- 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 have a more traditional Pumpkin Dump Cake you should check out too!)
Printable Dump Cake Recipe with Cherry and Pineapple
Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 20 ounce can Crushed Pineapple Do not drain
- 21 ounce can Cherry Pie Filling
- 15.25 ounce box Cake Mix Yellow
- 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 or until golden brown.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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!
Jean says
Could you use 2 cans of pineapple instead of cherry pie mix
Carol C says
I always top with chopped pecans and a heaping handful of shredded coconut. Save just a little of the butter to drizzle over coconut. A delicious crunchy topping and it looks nice.
Heather Settle says
I just read your recipe of a dump cake with sweetened condensed milk. Do you think we could do the dump cake w the cherry filling and the sweetened condensed milk also?
Sharon Garofalow says
Hi Heather! Sorry for the late response! YES! You can add sweetened condensed milk to any of the dump cake recipes!
David says
I am from the south and we have always served this dish with Cool Whip on top. Try it…It`s a perfect combination!
Lisa Gillihan says
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
Sharon Garofalow says
YES! It’s SO good! I always try to bring a little bit home for breakfast. :)
Katie Byrd says
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!
Sharon Garofalow says
That is such a great idea!!! Thank you for sharing!
Helen says
I shred my butter over to top of the cake mix. Makes it a little more even.
Lynn says
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.
Sharon Garofalow says
Oh!! I love that idea! Buttered crumbles sound absolutely delish!
Charlene says
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!
Sharon Garofalow says
Oh! The almonds sound delicious!! Thanks for sharing!
Christine says
OMG! First time making this. Why have I not made this before, it’s so good and do easy. Thanks for sharing.
Sharon Garofalow says
SO good! I literally can’t make it because I end up eating the whole thing! It makes a great breakfast. :)
missy says
My dad taught me to put a separate cup or dish of water in the microwave with butter, melts perfectly every time.
Sharon Garofalow says
That’s such a great tip! I’ll have to give that a try!! Thank you for sharing!
Joyce says
All you have to do is melt the real butter on defrost and you will have not splatters or explosions.
Sharon Garofalow says
Thank you! I will try that next time!!!
Juanita says
I have made this with pineapple cake mix. I have made that way and everyone loved it.
Lori says
Hi! I only have pineapple in syrup on hand, do you think that could be used?
Sharon Garofalow says
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!
Helen Ledgerwood says
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.
Kathy says
I made this alot and I also use blueberry pie filling. Yummy
Dawn Moothedan says
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.
Sharon Garofalow says
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!
phyllis says
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.
Sharon Garofalow says
That’s a great tip, Phyllis! Thank you for sharing!