Pineapple Dump Cake

If you are looking for the easiest dessert that will impress everyone at the table, you have found it. This Pineapple Dump Cake requires just 4 simple ingredients, about 5 minutes of hands-on prep, and absolutely zero baking skill. You literally dump everything into a pan and let the oven do all the work. The result? A golden, crispy-topped dessert with warm, bubbling pineapple and cherry filling underneath that tastes like something you spent hours on.

This is the kind of recipe that gets passed around at potlucks and church dinners because it disappears in minutes. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top and you have an absolutely irresistible combination of textures and flavors — buttery, crispy, sweet, fruity, and creamy all at once.

Why You’ll Love This Pineapple Dump Cake

• Only 4 ingredients — crushed pineapple, cherry pie filling, yellow cake mix, and butter. That is it.
• 5 minutes of prep — layer, sprinkle, pour, bake. No mixing bowls required.
• Always a crowd favorite — this recipe has been making people happy for decades. There is a reason it is a classic.
• Endlessly versatile — swap the fruit fillings, change the cake mix flavor, or add nuts and coconut for a different twist every time.
• Perfect for potlucks and holidays — it feeds 12, travels well, and reheats beautifully.

Ingredients You Need

The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity. Here is what you need:

• 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained — the juice is essential! It helps steam the bottom and keeps everything moist and fruity.
• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling — adds gorgeous color, sweetness, and a little tang that balances the pineapple perfectly.
• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix, dry and unprepared — do not make it according to the box directions. Use it straight from the box, dry.
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted — this soaks into the dry cake mix and creates that incredible golden, crispy, buttery topping.
• Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts — adds crunch and a lovely nutty flavor.

How to Make Pineapple Dump Cake

This recipe could not be more straightforward. Follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Spread the crushed pineapple (with ALL of the juice from the can) evenly across the bottom of the dish.
3. Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the pineapple layer. No need to stir or mix — just spread it gently.
4. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the fruit layers. This is the crucial step — do NOT stir! Leave it completely dry on top.
5. Pour the melted butter evenly over the entire surface of the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the surface as possible to avoid any dry patches. Add nuts here if using.
6. Bake for 45-55 minutes until the top is deep golden brown and you can see the fruit filling bubbling up around the edges. Let it cool for about 10 minutes, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Tips and Variations

Essential Tips

• Do NOT stir the layers — the whole concept of a dump cake depends on keeping the layers separate so the dry cake mix can absorb the butter and form a crispy crust.
• Cover the entire surface with butter — use a spoon or pastry brush to nudge the butter toward any dry spots. Any un-buttered dry cake mix will stay powdery.
• Do not underbake — the top needs to reach a deep golden brown for the best texture. 45 minutes minimum, but do not be afraid to go the full 55 minutes.
• Serve warm — this cake is at its absolute best straight from the oven (or reheated). The textures are perfect when warm.

Variations to Try

• Tropical twist: Use coconut cake mix instead of yellow, and add toasted shredded coconut over the top.
• Peach dump cake: Substitute peach pie filling for the cherry and use white or vanilla cake mix.
• Strawberry pineapple: Swap cherry pie filling for strawberry pie filling for a different berry flavor.
• Spice it up: Sprinkle a little cinnamon over the cake mix before adding the butter for a warm spiced note.
• Blueberry version: Use blueberry pie filling and lemon cake mix for a bright, fresh flavor combination.

Serving Suggestions

Pineapple Dump Cake is delicious on its own, but it truly shines when served with something creamy to contrast the warm, crispy, fruity elements:

• Vanilla ice cream — the classic pairing. A generous scoop melting over the warm cake is perfection.
• Whipped cream — a dollop of fresh whipped cream keeps things lighter.
• Cool Whip — the easy, crowd-pleasing option for parties and potlucks.
• Vanilla yogurt — for a slightly lighter brunch or daytime serving.

This cake is also great at room temperature and reheats well in the microwave for 60-90 seconds per serving, making leftovers just as enjoyable as the fresh-baked original.

Print Pin

4.80 from 8 votes

Pineapple Dump Cake

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 12 servings

Ingredients

• 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple undrained
• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix dry, unprepared
• 1 cup butter melted, 2 sticks
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Spread the crushed pineapple (with all its juice) evenly across the bottom of the baking dish.
• Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the pineapple layer.
• Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the fruit layers. Do NOT stir — just spread it dry and flat.
• Pour the melted butter evenly over the entire surface of the dry cake mix, trying to cover as much as possible. Sprinkle with nuts if using.
• Bake for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Notes

Do not stir once you add the cake mix — that is the whole point of a dump cake! Make sure the butter covers the dry mix as evenly as possible to avoid dry patches on top. Serve warm for best results. Try with coconut cake mix for a tropical twist.

Final Thoughts

This Pineapple Dump Cake is one of those recipes that belongs in everyone’s back pocket for the times when you need something delicious, fast, and foolproof. It is the perfect dessert for weeknight family dinners, holiday gatherings, potlucks, and any occasion where you want to bring something that people will rave about without spending hours in the kitchen.

Once you make it once, you will understand why this recipe has been a beloved American classic for generations. Give it a try this week — your family will thank you!