If you're craving a dessert that’s wonderfully simple yet irresistibly delicious, look no further than this Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe. This easy-to-make treat combines the sweet tang of cherry pie filling with the tropical brightness of crushed pineapple, all nestled under a buttery, golden cake topping that bakes to perfection with minimal fuss. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug with every bite and is sure to become a beloved staple for family gatherings, potlucks, or cozy nights in. Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned baker, this Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe will quickly become your go-to for satisfying that sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients You'll Need
This Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe uses a handful of straightforward ingredients that come together to create a masterpiece of flavor and texture. Each ingredient is essential, giving you a beautiful balance of fruity sweetness, rich buttery crust, and a moist, tender crumb.
- Cherry pie filling (21 oz): This gives your cake a vibrant, juicy base bursting with classic cherry flavor and luscious syrup.
- Crushed pineapple (15 to 20 oz): Adds a tropical zing and natural sweetness that brightens the cake beautifully.
- Yellow cake mix (15.25 oz box): Provides a sweet, fluffy, and buttery cake topping that bakes to golden perfection.
- Butter (1 cup): Essential for creating that crisp, melt-in-your-mouth crust that balances the juicy fruit layers.
How to Make Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 325ºF and greasing a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. This step is key to ensuring your dump cake doesn’t stick and comes out perfectly every time.
Step 2: Layer the Cherry Pie Filling
Spread the entire can of cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. This forms the juicy and flavorful foundation of your cake.
Step 3: Add the Crushed Pineapple
Next, pour the crushed pineapple evenly over the cherry filling. The pineapple adds moisture and a fresh, tropical taste that perfectly complements the cherries.
Step 4: Sprinkle the Cake Mix
Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix uniformly over the pineapple layer. Don’t worry if it doesn’t cover everything perfectly – the butter in the next step helps it bake into a delicious crust.
Step 5: Top with Butter
Melt half a cup of butter and drizzle it evenly over the cake mix. Then, cut the remaining butter into small pieces and dot them on top. This buttery topping creates a golden, crispy crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft fruit beneath.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake your dump cake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the top turns a lovely golden brown and the bubbling fruit edges tell you it’s done. It’s that easy to make a show-stopping dessert!
How to Serve Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Serving your cake warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is a classic way to add creamy richness that melts into the fruity layers. Fresh cherries or a sprig of mint can add a splash of color and a fresh aroma that makes every bite even more inviting.
Side Dishes
This dump cake pairs beautifully with a simple dollop of whipped cream or alongside a scoop of your favorite gelato. If you want to go all out, try serving it with a cup of strong coffee or a chilled glass of sparkling water with a slice of lemon to refresh your palate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming twist, serve individual portions in ramekins or mason jars, layering in the toppings for extra flair. You can also sprinkle toasted coconut flakes or chopped nuts on top after baking for added texture and flavor excitement.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (which might be tough given how tasty this dump cake is), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days, allowing you to enjoy the flavors even a few days later.
Freezing
This Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe freezes wonderfully. Wrap the cooled cake tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, or transfer to a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 2 months, so you have a delicious dessert ready to thaw whenever a sweet craving hits.
Reheating
To bring your frozen or refrigerated dump cake back to life, warm individual slices in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds or reheat the whole cake in a 350ºF oven for about 15 minutes. This refreshes that soft texture and melts the buttery crust perfectly.
FAQs
Can I use fresh fruit instead of canned?
While canned cherry pie filling and crushed pineapple have the right syrup and sweetness for this dump cake, you could try fresh fruit with a bit of added sugar and lemon juice. Just know it might change the texture and moisture level a bit.
Is there a gluten-free version of this cake?
Absolutely! You can find gluten-free yellow cake mixes at most grocery stores to substitute here. Just check the label to make sure all ingredients meet your dietary needs.
Can I use margarine or oil instead of butter?
Butter really contributes to that amazing crisp, golden topping in this Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe. Margarine might work but won’t provide quite the same flavor and texture, and oil is not recommended as it won’t create the right crust.
What if I don’t have a 9x13 baking dish?
If you don’t have this exact size, any similarly sized oven-safe dish will work. Just keep an eye on the baking time, as a different size or shape may affect how quickly the cake cooks.
Can I add spices to the dump cake?
Definitely! Ground cinnamon or nutmeg sprinkled lightly over the fruit before adding the cake mix adds warmth and depth, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Final Thoughts
This Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe is pure comfort food magic – simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and a flavor that feels like a celebration in every bite. Give it a try and I bet it will quickly become one of your favorite desserts to share with friends and family. Once you experience how effortless and delicious it is, you’ll want to make it over and over again!
Print
Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
Description
This easy Dump Cake recipe layers cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, and yellow cake mix topped with butter for a sweet, buttery, and fruity dessert. It requires minimal prep and bakes into a golden, bubbly treat perfect for gatherings or family dinners.
Ingredients
Fruit Layer
- 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
- 1 (15 to 20 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
Cake Layer
- 1 (15.25 oz) box packaged yellow cake mix
Butter
- 1 cup butter (preferably unsalted), divided
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 325ºF (163ºC) and lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer cherry pie filling: Evenly spread the entire can of cherry pie filling across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base fruit layer.
- Layer crushed pineapple: Pour the drained crushed pineapple evenly over the cherry pie filling, creating a second layer of juicy fruit.
- Add cake mix: Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix in an even layer over the pineapple, covering the fruit completely.
- Melt and pour butter - half: Melt half a cup of butter (1 stick) and drizzle it evenly over the dry cake mix to help create a moist, golden crust.
- Butter pieces on top: Cut the remaining half cup of butter into small pieces and scatter them evenly over the top of the cake mix. This adds richness and helps the topping brown beautifully.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Serve: Remove the cake from the oven and serve warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.
Notes
- Drain the crushed pineapple to prevent the cake from becoming too soggy.
- Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness, but salted butter works fine too.
- For variation, use different pie fillings such as blueberry or apple instead of cherry.
- Allow cake to cool for a few minutes to set before slicing.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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