This cinnamon roll dump cake is our latest obsession.
How to Make a 5-Ingredient Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake
Updated on Oct. 03, 2023
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 traditional baking, which requires precise measurements and mixing, the ingredients in this recipe get dumped in the pan and baked as they are.
And incredibly, the technique works. The ingredients transform into a sweet, homestyle dessert, like in 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.
Sophia uses Krusteaz cinnamon swirl cake mix in her recipe, but you can use other brands 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
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch 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
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
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
Slice the butter into pats and arrange them evenly over the top of the cake.
Step 5: Bake and serve
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 Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake
- Use cooking spray: 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.
- Bake for the right amount of time: 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.
- Use frosting: 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.
- Storage: 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 to 60 seconds.
Easy Dump Cakes That Require No Effort
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Chocolate Dump Cake
This chocolate dump cake recipe fits right in with busy schedules; it requires no sifting, whisking or decorating. Just dump, stir, bake and serve this decadent dessert.
The Easiest Blueberry Dump Cake
If you're searching for an easy, tasty dessert, look no further. Behold the blueberry dump cake recipe!
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
There's no mixing, sifting or beating required to make this caramel apple dump cake recipe. Just add a scoop of ice cream or dollop of whipped cream for a simple, crowd-pleasing treat.
Oreo Dump CakeAn all-star dessert, this Oreo dump cake requires little assembly and uses three different chocolates for an indulgent dessert. Oreo cookies get layered with sweetened condensed milk, frozen whipped topping, chocolate chips and chocolate fudge cake mix for a captivating, creamy and sweet taste. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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.
Peach Cobbler Dump CakeThis is one of the best peach dump cake recipes in the world. It's sweet, tender cake with a beautifully crisp cobbler topping. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, and dessert is golden. —Keri Sparks, Little Elm, Texas
Carrot Dump CakeBecause our family adores carrot cake, I experimented to find an easy way to make it so we could enjoy it all the time. This super moist dump cake version makes my family smile when it suddenly appears on the table. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
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
Slow-Cooker Dump CakeOur crockpot dump cake combines the classic flavors of pineapple upside-down cake with the ease of slow-cooking. Just dump the ingredients in and let them simmer—it doesn’t get much better than that!
Strawberry Dump Cake
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
Lemon Blueberry Dump CakeLemon blueberry dump cake comes together like magic—no mixing needed. It's loaded with fresh berries and served with a sweet, creamy topping.
Apple-Sweet Potato Pecan Dump CakeThis quick cake has lots of delicious apples, sweet potatoes, spices, pecans and caramel. My surprise of white cheddar cheese enhances the wonderful filling. —Kathy Specht, Clinton, Montana
Crock-Pot Lava CakeThe slow cooker does most of the work when it comes to making this rich and decadent Crock-Pot lava cake, so you can focus on enjoying it.
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
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
Lemon Dump CakeThis easy dessert pairs the juicy, tart flavor of citrus with a silky, rich cream cheese filling. It can get tossed together in 10 minutes or less and baked and ready to devour in under an hour! If you love lemon and cream cheese, this dump cake is just the ticket. —Lee LaRosa, Hammonton, New Jersey
Rhubarb Dump CakeJust a handful of ingredients come together to make this easy-to-assemble dessert that's perfect for rhubarb season. The rhubarb provides that tangy, tart bite, while the strawberry Jell-O and white cake mix give a sweet, buttery balance. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump CakeThis creamy, cakey, sweet-tart dessert is wonderfully easy to assemble and always a crowd-pleaser. Spoon into bowls while it's still warm and dollop with whipped cream. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Blackberry Dump CakeHow can a recipe so effortless turn out so indulgent? That's the beauty of this dump cake, which becomes cobbler-like in the oven, rich with sweet and juicy blackberries and a crisp, caramelized topping. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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
Pineapple Dump Cake
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.)
Chocolate Cherry Dump CakeWith just 10 minutes of hands-on time and 35 minutes in the oven, you’ll be indulging in this chocolate cherry dump cake in under an hour.
Apple Dump CakeThis simple apple dump cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion. You'll need a box of cake mix, apple pie filling and butter—that's it!
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
Peach Dump CakeThis warm and cozy peach dump cake recipe tastes just like your favorite peach cobbler but with fewer ingredients and far less fuss.
