Pineapple cherry dump cake is a quick and easy fruit cobbler dessert made with cans of cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, and a box of cake mix. This tasty cake can be enjoyed as is or topped with Cool Whip, fresh whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It is good hot or cold, making it the perfect dessert for any occasion.
This delicious dump cake is one of the easiest desserts you will ever make. With only about five minutes of prep time and five simple ingredients, it comes together quickly.
Dump the ingredients into a baking dish, bake until the top is bubbly and golden brown, and serve; you don’t even need a mixing bowl. If you prefer the flavor of berries, then our Blackberry Dump Cake is another favorite.
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What you’ll love about this recipe:
We are always looking for simple desserts, and this cherry pineapple dump cake is one of our favorites.
It gets the name dump cake because the fruit filling and store-bought cake mix are poured into a baking dish, topped with melted butter, and baked until golden brown.
Cherry desserts are always a winner, and the added pineapple in this recipe gives the cherry filling a slightly tangy flavor and more texture.
The perfect dump cake will have a gooey layers of fruit that have slighly mixed with the cake, and the top of the cake will be golden brown with a bit of crunch. This delicious dessert, while called a cake because of the boxed cake mix, is more reminiscent of a fruit cobbler.
We use yellow cake mix for this recipe, but you can use any flavor you like. Lemon, white, or French vanilla cake mix are all great choices.
The recipe uses cherry pie filling, but if cherries are in season, you may want to add a handful of fresh, pitted cherries as well.
This cake is delicious, hot or cold, and can be served on its own or topped with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. For a bit of added crunch, add some toasted coconut, or chopped pecans.
It makes about 8 servings, so it is great for small gatherings, parties, and backyard BBQs.
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for a few days and are great for breakfast, too!
Ingredients & Substitutions
For a full list of ingredients and measurements, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Cherry pie filling – You will want 1 can of cherry pie filling for this recipe. You can also add a few cups of fresh, pitted cherries if you like.
Cake mix – We like using yellow cake mix with our cherry pineapple dump cake recipe, as the neutral flavour pairs well with cherries and pineapple. But you can make this cobbler with any flavor of cake mix you have on hand; lemon or vanilla work very well or, if you can find it, pineapple cake mix.
Crushed pineapple – We use crushed pineapple in our dump cake, but you can use a can of pineapple tidbits or pineapple chunks if you prefer.
Pineapple juice – We like to add a bit of pineapple juice as this will add more liquid to the cake and help ensure the cake mix won’t end up too dry. If you don’t have pineapple juice, you can substitute with a different juice, such as orange or apple, or you can use club soda or lemon-lime soda.
Butter – Butter is needed to combine with the cake mix and give it flavor. Do not substitute this with oil as it will not taste the same or have the same texture.
The recipe works best with melted butter as it ensures the cake mix will cook up without any dry spots, but you can slice cold butter into thin slices and distribute them over the top of the cake if you like. The butter slices will melt as the cake cooks, however this method sometimes produces a few drier spots.
Step by Step Instructions
Prepare a 9×13 baking dish or cake pan with nonstick cooking spray or a thin coating of butter, paying attention to the corners.
Pour the crushed pineapple into the pan, followed by the pie filling and spread it out in an even layer, then add the pineapple juice.
Sprinkle the cake mix over the fruit filling layer, and give the pan a gentle shake to help evenly distribute it.
Then, carefully pour the melted butter over the top of the dry mix. If you prefer, you can cut the butter into thin slices and then distribute the butter slices evenly over the top of the cake. They will melt in the oven; however, sometimes, this method will result in a few spots of cake that are drier than others.
If you like, you can top it with a sprinkle of brown sugar and cinnamon, shredded coconut, or chopped pecans for a bit of texture.
Place the cake in the oven and bake for 50-55 minutes until the top of the cake is golden brown.
Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes before serving, as this will help the warm fruit filling set, making it easier to serve.
Serving Suggestions
We like to keep things simple and serve this simple dessert recipe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It is especially delicious when the cake is served warm, and the ice cream can melt into the warm, gooey fruit filling.
You could also add a dollop of Cool Whip, or some fresh homemade whipped cream.
You may also want to serve it with some fresh cherries, maraschino cherries, or pineapple chunks. For some added crunchy texture, a sprinkle of toasted coconut or chopped nuts is a great choice.
Top Tips & Tricks
- Before baking, give the baking dish a gentle shake. This will help distribute the cake mix and butter, helping it cook evenly and with less chance of dry spots.
- Let the cake cool for ten minutes before serving. This will help the fruit filling set, making it easier to serve.
FAQS
Due to the fruit in the cake, leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for about three days.
Printable Recipe
Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed pineapple do not drain
- 4 oz pineapple juice
- 1 (13.25)oz box yellow cake mix
- ¾ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or coating with a thin layer of butter.
- Dump the crushed pineapple and pie filling into the baking dish and spread it evenly. Then pour the pineapple juice over the fruit.
- Sprinkle the cake mix over the fruit filling and give the pan a gentle shake to help distribute the cake mix and fill in any holes.
- Pour the melted butter over the top of the cake.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes until the cake is golden brown. Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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Food Safety and Storage
This cake can be stored in the baking dish covered in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about three days.