The Easiest Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe: A 5-Ingredient Dessert Sensation

Prepare to be amazed by the sheer simplicity and incredible flavor of this Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake. This delightful dessert features a luscious base of sweet pineapple tidbits and vibrant, tart cherry pie filling, all crowned with a golden, buttery, crumbly cake topping. It’s a true “dump-and-go” recipe that lives up to its name, requiring only 5 common ingredients and a mere 10 minutes of hands-on preparation before it goes into the oven. If you’re searching for an effortlessly delicious dessert that delivers on taste without the fuss, look no further – it simply doesn’t get any easier or more satisfying than this!

Why This Easy Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe Works So Well

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The beauty of the Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake lies in its remarkable simplicity and foolproof execution. It’s quite literally a “dump-and-go” dessert, meaning you simply layer your ingredients into a baking dish without any complex mixing, stirring, or elaborate steps. This innovative approach makes it one of our absolute favorite sweet treats to prepare for potlucks, family gatherings, or any occasion where you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

Dump cakes are a fascinating hybrid, often described as a delightful cross between a traditional cake and a rustic fruit cobbler. They typically feature fruit as their star ingredient, allowing its natural sweetness and flavor to shine through. This particular recipe masterfully combines the tropical tang of pineapple with the classic tartness of cherries, creating a harmonious and irresistible flavor profile. The dry cake mix, once layered over the fruit and drizzled with butter, bakes into a delightfully crumbly, golden-brown topping that perfectly complements the soft, gooey fruit filling beneath.

The magic isn’t just in the taste; it’s in the convenience. With minimal cleanup and even less effort, you get a dessert that tastes like it took all day to make. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when a sweet craving hits, or for those impromptu gatherings where you need a crowd-pleasing dessert in a pinch. And if you’re feeling adventurous, dump cakes are incredibly versatile! Feel free to experiment with different fruit combinations or cake mix flavors. For instance, if you love this concept, you might also enjoy our equally simple Peach Cobbler Dump Cake, which offers another fantastic variation on this easy dessert theme.

RELATED: You might also enjoy another classic fruit dessert – Cherry Pie!

Essential Ingredients for Your Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

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One of the many charms of this dump cake recipe is its reliance on readily available, simple ingredients. You likely have most of these pantry staples on hand already, making this a go-to dessert for any occasion. Forget complicated shopping lists or hard-to-find items – this recipe keeps it refreshingly straightforward.

To get all the precise measurements, a detailed list of ingredients, and step-by-step instructions, be sure to check out the printable recipe card located at the very end of this blog post. It contains everything you need to successfully create this fantastic dessert.

Ingredient Spotlight & Creative Substitution Ideas

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Let’s dive a little deeper into the ingredients that make this Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake truly special, and explore some flexible substitution options to suit your taste or what you have on hand.

• FILLING: The heart of this dessert is its vibrant fruit filling. You have the wonderful option to use either a convenient canned, store-bought cherry pie filling or, if you’re feeling ambitious and have a bit more time, a homemade cherry pie filling. For the ultimate simplicity that defines a true dump cake, opting for the canned version is highly recommended. The same goes for the pineapple – canned pineapple tidbits are perfect for their ease and consistent quality. This “shortcut” approach using canned fruit and a dry cake mix is what makes dump cakes so wonderfully effortless, freeing up your time without sacrificing flavor.
• Pineapple Tidbits: Ensure your canned pineapple tidbits are well-drained. This is crucial to prevent the cake from becoming too watery. While tidbits offer a great texture, you could also use crushed pineapple for a smoother fruit layer, or even experiment with pineapple chunks for a bolder bite. If you’re a fan of a tropical twist, consider using pineapple in juice rather than syrup, or adding a dash of coconut extract to the fruit layer for an exotic touch.
• Yellow Cake Mix: The dry yellow cake mix is the magic behind the “dump” in dump cake. It transforms into a delicious, golden, crumbly topping when baked with the melted butter. It’s incredibly important to remember that for this recipe, you will NOT be following the instructions on the back of the cake mix box to make a batter. You’re using the dry mix directly. While yellow cake mix is classic, you can easily experiment with other flavors like white cake mix, vanilla cake mix, or even a butter pecan cake mix for a different nuance.
• Melted Butter: The melted butter is what moistens the dry cake mix and allows it to bake into a fantastic, crisp, and golden crust. Ensure the butter is fully melted so it can be evenly drizzled and spread over the cake mix. Unsalted butter is typically preferred in baking for better control over salinity, but salted butter will also work and can add a subtle salty-sweet contrast.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract enhances the overall sweetness and aroma of the fruit filling. It’s a small addition that makes a big difference. For an exciting variation, consider swapping vanilla extract for almond extract, which pairs beautifully with cherries, or even rum extract for a hint of a piña colada-inspired flavor, especially if you want to lean into a “pineapple upside-down dump cake” vibe!

Crafting Your Delicious Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake: Step-by-Step

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These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to guide you, helping you visualize exactly how to make this incredibly easy and delicious recipe. For a convenient printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and full instructions, you can simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.

1. The first crucial step is to prepare your fruit base. Begin by thoroughly draining the pineapple tidbits of all their juice. This prevents the bottom layer of your dump cake from becoming too soggy. Once drained, combine the pineapple tidbits in a large mixing bowl with the entire can of cherry pie filling. Add the vanilla extract (or your chosen alternative, like almond or rum extract) to this mixture. Using a sturdy rubber spatula, gently mix these ingredients until they are well combined. You want an even distribution of the cherry and pineapple flavors.
   
2. Next, transfer the fruit mixture into your 2-quart baking dish. Spread it out evenly across the bottom of the dish to form a consistent layer. Once your fruit filling is spread, it’s time for the “dump” part of the cake! Take your dry yellow cake mix and carefully dust it over the entire surface of the fruit filling. Make sure to cover all the fruit completely and evenly. This dry layer will become your delightful cake crust.
   
3. Finally, take your melted butter and slowly pour it over the dry cake mix layer. The goal here is to saturate the cake mix as evenly as possible. You can use the back of a spoon to gently spread the melted butter across any dry patches, ensuring the entire surface of the cake mix is covered. This step is key to achieving that perfectly golden and crunchy topping.
   
4. Once the butter is evenly distributed, your dump cake is ready for the oven! Bake it in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for approximately 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s perfectly done when the top layer of cake mix has transformed into a beautiful, inviting golden brown and the fruit filling beneath is bubbly and fragrant.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Success

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To ensure your Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake is always a resounding success and to answer common queries, we’ve compiled some helpful FAQs and expert tips:

Elevate Your Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Experience

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This Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake is a showstopper all on its own, but a few thoughtful serving suggestions can truly elevate it into an unforgettable dessert experience. The irresistible combination of sweet pineapple, lightly tart, syrupy cherry pie filling, and that wonderfully crunchy, golden crust practically begs for a companion.

In our opinion, a generous heaping scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream is the absolute perfect pairing, much like how you would traditionally serve a warm fruit cobbler. The cold, melting ice cream creates a delightful contrast with the warm, bubbly fruit filling, enhancing every bite. Alternatively, a dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a lighter, airy touch and a hint of dairy richness that beautifully complements the fruit. For an extra touch of indulgence, consider a drizzle of warm caramel sauce or a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes right before serving.

For the best experience, enjoy this cherry pineapple dump cake warm, straight out of the oven. The aromas filling your kitchen will be incredible, and the texture will be at its peak – tender fruit and crisp topping. If you’re hosting, prepare it just before your guests arrive, so you can serve it fresh and hot.

While the recipe as directed creates a dessert similar to a cobbler, with a distinctly crunchy and biscuit-like topping, you can easily adjust it for a more traditional cake-like topping. If you prefer a softer, more cake-like texture, simply prepare this recipe in a larger 9×13 inch casserole dish. Instead of dusting the dry cake mix over the fruit, prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions (adding eggs, oil, water, etc.). Once you have a prepared cake batter, pour it evenly over the fruit filling and then bake. This method will yield a moist, fluffy cake layer on top of the fruit, offering a different but equally delicious experience.

More Irresistible Cobbler and Cake Recipes to Try

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If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and deliciousness of this Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake, you’re in for a treat! We have a wide array of equally delightful cobbler and cake recipes that promise minimal effort and maximum flavor. Explore these other fantastic options to expand your repertoire of stress-free desserts:

• Pineapple Cake
• Blueberry Cobbler
• Pineapple Poke Cake
• Crockpot Apple Cobbler
• Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake
• Crockpot Chocolate Cherry Cobbler

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