Have you ever made a dump cake? In spite of its silly name, this quick dessert has become an internet darling—and for good reason. It’s delicious, fast and super easy to make. (Its lesser-used name is “lazy cake.”)
Like most easy dessert recipes, it calls for only a handful of ingredients and minimal prep work.
What Is Dump Cake?
It’s super simple: dump fruit or pie filling into a cake pan, dump boxed cake mix on top and bake. No stirring required!
The result is a buttery dessert similar to a cobbler—except cobblers call for biscuit or pie crust topping, while dump cake has a light cakey topping.
Thanks to the easy-breezy method, dump cakes are ideal for baking with children, novice bakers or fulfilling a cake craving at the last minute. Plus, the basic formula is endlessly adaptable, as proven in these viral TikTok dump cake recipes.
How to Make a Dump Cake
The most popular dump cake recipe is a pineapple cherry cake. The recipe is super flexible and easy to vary: we share additional ideas below.
Ingredients
- 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 can (21 ounces) cherry or blueberry pie filling
- 1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
Directions
Step 1: Set up
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Gather your ingredients. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 13-x-9-in. baking dish.
Step 2: Add the fruit
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Sprinkle the crushed pineapple across the bottom of the pan.
Step 3: Add a layer of pie filling
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Spread a layer of pie filling over the fruit. Aim for a fairly even distribution, so the cake will bake evenly.
Step 4: Top with cake mix
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Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the fruit. (This might feel weird and look all wrong. You might worry that it’s not going to bake. It will!)
Step 5: Drizzle with butter
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Pour the melted butter over the top.
Step 5: Give it a shake
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OK, technically, this step is like stirring, but it’s so easy and doesn’t dirty a spoon. Just give the pan a quick shake so the butter hunkers down deeper into the cake mix.
Editor’s Tip: Sprinkle chopped or sliced nuts over the cake batter for added flavor and texture. Shredded or flaked coconut would be tasty, too.
Step 6: Bake
Bake until the top of the cake is golden brown, about 50 to 60 minutes. Serve hot or cold, plain or dressed up with ice cream or whipped cream.
Dump Cake Variations
The only thing easier than making dump cake? Inventing a new flavor! Here are a few ways to adapt this basic recipe.
Peach Dump Cake
A slight variation on the method above, peach cobbler dump cake starts with canned peaches, dials up the flavor with a dash of brown sugar and cinnamon, and finishes with an almond topping. The result is a good example of a slightly more involved approach to dump cake (that’s still easy peasy). Looking for more dump cake recipes? Here learn how to make banana pudding dump cake.
Apple Dump Cake
Craving apple pie but not feeling up to making pie crust? Satisfy the craving with this apple dump cake made with canned apple pie filling and a cinnamon-sugar sprinkle. Or, make things a bit more elaborate and make cherry dump cake and caramel apple dump cake.
If you’re looking for more variations, try these: chocolate dump cake and pineapple dump cake.
Blueberry Dump Cake
For one final idea, try a blueberry dump cake. Using blueberry pie filling, almond extract and yellow cake mix, this easy dump cake tastes great any time of year.
If you love this dump cake recipe, don’t miss these 4-ingredient magic cake, chocolate magic cake and cinnamon roll dump cake.
Easy Dump Cakes That Require No Effort
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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.
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If you're searching for an easy, tasty dessert, look no further. Behold the blueberry dump cake recipe!
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Andrea Mathis for Taste of Home
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.
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Hungry for more? Check out this delicious
banana pudding dump cake recipe.
TRIA WEN FOR TASTE OF HOME
Craving a sweet and easy dessert? You can thank TikTok for this Oreo dump cake recipe.
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Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
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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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
Chocolate-Covered-Cherry Dump CakeMy mother-in-law loves chocolate-covered cherries, and I used to make this chocolate cherry dump cake every year for her birthday. Now we've moved away, but I make this for my kids on her birthday and they still feel near her. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas. If you like this, then you must try our favorite
cherry dump cake.
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
Pineapple Upside-Down Dump CakeThis dump cake recipe is wonderful topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It works well with gluten-free and sugar-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Dallas, Texas
JENNA URBEN FOR TASTE OF HOME
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
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
Chocolate Espresso Lava CakeWhen a chocolate craving hits, I whip up this cake my aunt inspired. It’s gooey and saucy but not crazy sweet. It’s also potluck-perfect. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
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
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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
Updated: May 08, 2023
