Easy Pineapple Dump Cake
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My pineapple dump cake has my kids hooked! I make it with just 4 ingredients, but it packs on the tropical and sweet flavor!
Pineapple Dump Cake with Cake Mix is Easy and Delicious!
I love a good dump and cook dessert and this pineapple dump cake brings the flavor and sweetness.
My daughter loves eating pineapple all year round. While I love to get canned pineapple and just serve it as-is for a fruit with dinner, I figured I would switch it up and make a dessert. And that’s how this recipe was created.
I make it super easy with just 4 ingredients so I can whip it together without much effort and the kids can top it with my vanilla ice cream recipe and it would be good to go! Even my daughter, who is now 8, can add all the ingredients into the dish and I just help her get it out of the oven when it’s done baking!
My entire kitchen smells like tropical sweetness and I can’t argue with that!
And, if you love pineapple and easy desserts, try my pineapple upside down cake,pineapple pound cake, pineapple fluff, pineapple banana smoothie, cherry dump cake, and peach cobbler dump cake recipes.
Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe ingredients
- Canned crushed pineapple
- Yellow cake box mix
- Brown sugar
- Butter
How to make Dump Cake with Pineapple
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
STEP TWO: Pour both cans of crushed pineapple with their juices into the prepared baking dish.
STEP THREE: Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the crushed pineapple layer.
STEP FOUR: Sprinkle the dry cake mix powder over the brown sugar layer.
STEP FIVE: Slowly pour the melted butter over the cake mix, making sure to cover all areas with the butter.
STEP SIX: Place in the oven and bake for 40-55 minutes or until the fruit is bubbling and the top and edges are golden.
STEP SEVEN: Remove the cake from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to set before serving.
STEP EIGHT: Serve as-is or with a scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
Pineapple Dump Cake variations
- Sprinkle shredded coconut on top of the pineapple dump cake with cake mix about halfway through the baking time for a little extra tropical flavor. I love doing this in the summer.
- Add a layer of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans into the mix for an added crunch.
- Scatter a handful of chocolate chips into the mix or on top of the cake. I am a chocoholic and will find any reason to add chocolate to a recipe like this.
- Swap the yellow cake mix with a white or pineapple-flavored cake mix. I’ve used butter golden and pineapple flavored cake mixes for this.
- Add some spice to this dessert by mixing a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg into the cake mix.
Storing this Easy Pineapple Dump Cake
Once completely cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, keep covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Recipe for Pineapple Dump Cake FAQs
Is dump cake supposed to be gooey?
My dump cake recipe is gooey and moist from the fruit layer, but the cake should still be fully cooked before eating.
What is the biggest mistake to avoid when making a dump cake?
If you don’t cover the dry cake mix completely with butter, you can end up with some powdery spots on top. I use melted butter so it can evenly coat the cake mix for the best results.
Why is my dump cake powdery on top?
If some areas of the top of the cake mix aren’t well-covered with butter, it can end up with powdery spots on top. Try to distribute the butter as evenly over the pineapple dump cake as possible before baking. This is why I use melted butter in my recipe and not softened.
Why is it called a dump cake?
It’s called a “dump cake” since there is no other prep needed except dumping the ingredients into a baking dish! They are one of my favorite desserts because while I love baking, sometimes life is busy and I just want a super simple dessert.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
- Peanut Butter Balls
- Easy Carrot Cake Recipe
- 3 Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake
- 3 Ingredient Banana Pudding
- Fruit Dip Recipe
- Canned Peach Pie
- Pineapple ice cream
Dump Cake with Pineapple
Ingredients
- 2 cans crushed pineapple , 20 ounce, undrained
- 1 box yellow cake mix, 15.25 ounce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pour the contents of both cans of crushed pineapple (including their juices) into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the crushed pineapple layer.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix powder over the brown sugar layer.
- Slowly pour the melted butter over the cake mix, making sure to cover all areas with the butter.
- Place in the oven and bake for 40 – 55 minutes or until the fruit is bubbling and the top and edges are golden.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to set before serving.
- Serve with your favorite vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
Notes
- As all ovens differ, check the cake after 40 minutes. If the cake top appears runny, bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
- You may want to cover the dish with aluminum foil halfway through the baking time if the top is getting too brown, but the cake is still not done.
- To test for doneness, insert a toothpick only into the top cake portion (not into the fruit layer). The cake is done if the toothpick comes away with only a few crumbs.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
great directions, awesome cake
Thanks, Aprile! So glad you liked it!
I made this yummy “cake” for my Uncle’s birthday but it came out more like a cobbler. No complaints from anyone. It was delicious! Can never go wrong with pineapple. =) Thanks for posting the recipe!
Hi Monica, Thanks for your feedback! I’m thrilled to hear your uncle enjoyed his birthday cake!
What a great cake 2nd time making this with chocolate chips going to football party. Cake has been requested. Yum.
That’s so great, Helen! I love adding chocolate chips to this recipe too. It sounds a little strange at first, but it’s SO good. Enjoy!
Ruined my canned pineapple. Greasy from the butter and the cake mix was wet.,…Yuk!
Hi PJ, It sounds like your cake wasn’t fully cooked. The notes in the recipe card cover this. You may need to bake it longer, covering it with aluminum foil if the top starts to darken, and test for doneness with a toothpick.
I made the dump cake it turned out good
I wish it had more of the cake maybe a cake on the bottom as well as the top
Hi Linda, Thanks for your comments. So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Only have I can of crushed pineapple but have a can of pineapple chunks does that work
Hi Lilian, I don’t recommend pineapple chunks for this recipe. Crushed pineapple helps to distribute the fruit better in the cake. I hope this helps!
Put your pineapple chunks in the blender. WaLa! Crushed Pineapple!
Husband distracted me and I forgot to add the brown sugar before the cake mix. Ugh. It’s in the oven now. Will know tomorrow how it turns out!
Hi Jules, Your cake will be missing that depth of flavor that the brown sugar gives, but it should still be enjoyable without it.
This worked exactly as written, thanks! really enjoyed THANKS
Hi Beverly, I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed the pineapple cake! Thank you for your feedback.
Made this per directions. Although it is very good I have a question. Would one 20 oz can of crushed pineapple be enough? It seems like it possibly could be.
Hi Linda, I have not personally tried this with only one can of pineapple, but the texture may end up a bit dry. I hope this helps!
Been making this with my mom growing up. I’m 34 now, but been making it since the 90s.
We do crushed pineapple and thin sliced pears, always a crowd favorite.
Much love!!!
Hi Jessica, Sliced pears sounds like a fun addition. Thank you for sharing your memories!