This cinnamon roll dump cake is our latest obsession.
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You have to love a dump cake recipe—even if the name “dump cake” doesn’t do a great job of selling the concept. The complete opposite of baking that requires precision measurement and mixing, the ingredient just get dumped in the pan and baked as they are.
And incredibly, the technique works. The ingredients are transformed into a sweet, homestyle dessert, like this cinnamon roll dump cake.
Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake Recipe
This comes to us courtesy of TikTok creator @aquickspoonful. Her recipe includes cinnamon swirl cake mix, plus two intriguing ingredients we hadn’t considered trying: tubes of cinnamon roll dough and a can of frosting! Of course, we had to put her recipe to the test in our Test Kitchen.
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Sophia uses Krusteaz cinnamon swirl cake mix in her recipe, but other brands can be used too, as long as they have separate pouches of cake mix and cinnamon-brown sugar blend. The recipe makes 8-10 servings.
Ingredients
Nonstick spray
2 tubes (12.4 ounces each) cinnamon rolls
1 can (12 ounces) whipped cream cheese frosting
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 box (21 ounces) cinnamon swirl cake mix
12 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
Step 1: Arrange rolls in pan
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray the bottom and sides of a 9×13-in. pan with nonstick spray. Open the cinnamon rolls and arrange them in rows in the pan. (There are 16 rolls, so one row will have an extra.)
Step 2: Add frosting and nuts
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Spread the entire can of frosting in an even layer over the rolls. Sprinkle the walnuts (if using) over the frosting.
Step 3: Add the cake mix in two layers
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
The cake mix should have two pouches. Sprinkle the larger pouch of cake mix evenly over the frosting. Then, sprinkle the smaller pouch of cinnamon-brown sugar over the top. It’s a dump cake, so don’t mix it!
Step 4: Top with butter
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Slice the butter into pats and arrange them evenly over the top of the cake.
Step 5: Bake and serve
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Bake the dump cake for 40 minutes; it should be puffed with browned areas that look like crust and others that look gooey and melty. Let the cake cool for at least 10 minutes, and then use a large spoon or spatula to serve. It tastes best when it’s warm.
The Verdict
I admit I was skeptical of this recipe, especially the part about spreading an entire can of frosting into the pan. I have to give the original TikTok creator credit, though. This cinnamon roll dump cake is pretty dang tasty!
The rolls baked up into a soft layer full of cinnamon flavor, topped with cake and gooey patches where the butter melted into the brown sugar topping. I can see this being a fun dish to bring to brunch or to treat the family on weekends. It would also be fun for kids to make with slumber party friends for breakfast.
Several followers expressed some concern with the amount of sugar in this recipe, with one commenting, “I got a cavity just by watching this.” It’s clear from the ingredients list that this is a sweet and over-the-top cake, and certainly no one should be eating an entire pan on their own. So as with any rich dessert, make it as an occasional treat.
Tips for Making This Dump Cake
Although the TikTok recipe doesn’t call for it, I suggest using nonstick spray in your baking pan. The cake is sticky and a little tough to get out of the pan once cool.
It may be tricky to tell if the cake is done. Since the ingredients aren’t mixed, it will have both browned and light-colored areas after baking. I found that 40 minutes was just right. Be careful not to overbake or the cake will be dry.
You can use the icing that came with the cinnamon rolls on the finished cake. Either spread it over the top or add some after you scoop cake onto plates.
Store any leftover dump cake covered in the fridge. You can reheat the whole pan at 300° for about 10 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 45-60 seconds.
I call this B.A.P. dump cake. I usually take it to our church potluck and it is the first dessert to go! Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra sugar over the nuts. —Mitzi Erthal, Godfrey, Illinois
Chocolate Dump Cake
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Hungry for more? Check out this delicious banana pudding dump cake recipe.
TRIA WEN FOR TASTE OF HOME
Oreo Dump Cake
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Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake
This comes to us courtesy of TikTok creator @aquickspoonful. Her recipe includes cinnamon swirl cake mix, plus two intriguing ingredients we hadn’t considered trying: tubes of cinnamon roll dough and a can of frosting! Of course, we had to put her recipe to the test in our Test Kitchen.
Go to Recipe
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Apple Snickerdoodle Dump CakeWith an apple farm just down the road, I'm always looking for creative ways to use up those bushels. We love this cozy apple snickerdoodle dump cake with caramel drizzle and a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. —Rachel Garcia, Honolulu, Hawaii
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I fell in love with this simple cobbler-like dump cake recipe after making it only once! The filling is warm and gooey while the cake topping is golden and buttery. —Jenna Urben, Dallas, Texas
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Lemon Berry Dump CakeThis sweet-tart cake recipe is so much fun to make with my grandkids. They love just "dumping it all in" and watching it magically become a pretty, delicious dessert. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Cake & Berry Campfire CobblerThis warm Dutch oven cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It's yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho
Slow-Cooker Apple Pudding CakeA satisfying dessert like this is a superb treat on a chilly night. It has three layers—apples, cake and sauce—and I like to serve it in a bowl. It's comfort food for the soul. —Ellen Schroeder, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Fudgy Peanut Butter CakeI clipped this easy peanut butter cake recipe from a newspaper years ago. The house smells fantastic while it's slow cooking. My husband and son enjoy the cake with ice cream and nuts on top. —Bonnie Evans, Norcross, Georgia
Minister's DelightA friend gave me this recipe several years ago. She said a local minister's wife fixed it every Sunday, so she named it accordingly —Mary Ann Potter, Blue Springs, Missouri
Warm Rocky Road CakeWhen it's warm, this reminds me of super moist lava cake. And until I made this, I didn't think a slow-cooker cake could be so attractive. It's a real winner. —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
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With just four ingredients and a few minutes of prep time, you'll have a sweet and succulent pineapple dump cake on your hands. (Or rather, in your bowl.)
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Dutch Oven Chocolate Dump CakeLooking for a quick dessert that will make people think you spent all day in the kitchen? This Dutch oven dump cake will wow your guests. Feel free to use your favorite pie filling in place of cherry. — Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake
This simple apple dump cake is the perfect dessert for fall. You'll need a box of cake mix, apple pie filling and butter—that's it!
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Pressure-Cooker Chocolate-Apricot Dump CakeYears ago, I used to prepare a dessert similar to this in the oven. I converted the recipe to my Instant Pot and now we can enjoy it quickly. Try it with white cake mix and blueberry pie filling, too. It's best served warm with ice cream or whipped cream. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Are you wondering how to bake a cake without an oven? Try these slow cooker cake recipes that are a piece of cake to make.
Peach CakeI first tasted this cake about 15 years ago when a dear aunt brought it to a family reunion. I knew I had to have the recipe...and I was thrilled to discover how easy it is to make.—Donna Britsch, Tega Cay, South Carolina
Black Forest Dump CakeI make a Black Forest cake the easy way: Dump everything into a dish and let the magic happen. Give it a cherry topping by reserving two tablespoons of juice from the canned cherries and stir into whipped cream. —Meghan McDermott, Springfield, Missouri
Cherry Pudding CakeA cross between a cake and a cobbler, this dessert is a hit whenever I make it to share at a potluck. My family insists I make an extra batch to leave at home. A neighbor shared the recipe over 30 years ago. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
German Chocolate Dump CakeWe make this for Sunday lunches when the whole family gets together. The cream cheese topping is so good, it doesn't need frosting.
Strawberry Rhubarb Dump CakeIt always seems like my rhubarb goes bad in a hurry, so I was looking for a simple way to combine two of my favorite flavors in an incredibly easy dessert. I added extra spices to enhance the flavor of this strawberry-rhubarb dump cake for a sweet treat my whole family loved! —Jessica Bridge, Grand Junction, Colorado
Discovering restaurants, tasting bakery treats, finding inspiration in new flavors and regional specialties—no wonder Nancy loves being a Taste of Home Community Cook and a food and travel writer. She and her family live in Vermont and enjoy all things food, as well as the beautiful outdoors, game nights, Avengers movies and plenty of maple syrup. Find Nancy’s writing and recipes at her website: Hungry Enough To Eat Six.
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