Dump Cake

4.7
(330)

This dump cake is as easy as dumping ingredients in a pan! It's topped with crunchy walnuts and melted butter for a delicious dessert.

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A baking dish with cherry filling with a small serving in a bowl on the side
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
1 (9x13-inch) cake

Make this incredibly easy (and incredibly tasty) dump cake recipe with just five ingredients. 

How to Make a Dump Cake 

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

What Is a Dump Cake? 

A dump cake is a cobbler-like dessert that features a cake-like topping. It gets its name from its easy method of preparation: The ingredients, one of which is boxed cake mix, are “dumped” in a cake pan without mixing. 

Dump Cake Ingredients

These are the five ingredients you’ll need to make this easy cherry dump cake recipe: 

  • Pie filling: This dump cake recipe calls for cherry pie filling, but you can use whatever pie filling you like. 
  • Crushed pineapple: Two undrained cans of crushed pineapple (in 100% juice) lends fruity flavor and gives the dump cake a moist texture. 
  • Cake mix: A box of yellow cake mix is the convenient secret ingredient in this easy dump cake recipe. 
  • Walnuts: Chopped walnuts take the flavor and texture up a notch. Of course, you can leave them out if you prefer. 
  • Butter: Melted butter drizzled over the other ingredients makes the cherry dump cake nice, moist, and rich. 

How Do You Make a Dump Cake? 

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade dump cake: 

  1. Stir the pie filling and pineapple together, then spread it an even layer in a cake pan. 
  2. Sprinkle the cake mix and walnuts over the pineapple mixture. 
  3. Drizzle the cake with butter and bake until golden brown. 

Test Kitchen Tips


This top-rated user recipe was tested in our test kitchen. Here are some tips from recipe tester Amanda Holstein:

  • Never mix together the ingredients in a dump cake, as the ingredients need to be layered to ensure the top of the cake is crisp and crumbly. 
  • Serve the dump cake warm with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream. 

How to Store a Dump Cake

Store the dump cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Cover with foil and reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F until heated through.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“Simple and delicious,” raves one Allrecipes community member. “I made it as-is, with the exception that I also added flaked coconut to really give it a tropical flavor. Yummy!!!”

“I used a homemade sour cherry pie filling and a chocolate cake mix,” says Mary.

“My grandmother used to make me dump cake as a quick and easy dessert and I love it just like this,” according to Katie S. “The recipe is so easy, fast, and satisfies the sweet tooth.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

  • 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling

  • 2 (8 ounce) cans crushed pineapple in 100% juice, undrained

  • 1 (15.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix

  • 2 cups chopped walnuts

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

    Ingredients to make cherry dump cake

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Stir cherry pie filling and crushed pineapple together in a 9x13-inch pan and spread in an even layer.

    A baking dish lined with cherry pie filling and crushed pineapple

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over pineapple and cherry mixture.

    A baking dish with a layer of cherry pie filling and crushed pineapple, topped with cake mix

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Sprinkle walnuts over cake mix; drizzle butter on top, making sure minimal dry spots remain.

    A baking dish with pie filling topped with cake mix, topped with melted butter and walnuts

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown on top, about 35 to 40 minutes.

    A baking dish with cherry filling with a small serving in a bowl on the side

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

From the Editor

This recipe was tested in our test kitchen and updated to include draining the cans of pineapple and pouring more melted butter on top to cover all the dry spots.

544 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

228 Calories
13g Fat
28g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 228
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g 16%
Saturated Fat 3g 17%
Cholesterol 11mg 4%
Sodium 174mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 28g 10%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 3g 5%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 45mg 3%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 108mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.