The other day I shared the recipe for Ooey Gooey Cookies that I had for the first time when my sister in law’s mother was visiting. During that same visit I experienced “dump cake” for the first time. I was an instant fan! This Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake is a simple and delicious dessert that combines the sweetness of pineapple and cherries with a buttery cake topping. It’s easy to make and perfect for gatherings!

Ingredients

• 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple (undrained)
• 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
• 1 box (18.25 oz) yellow cake mix
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks), cut into thin slices

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Layer the Fruit: Pour the crushed pineapple (with juice) into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the pineapple.
3. Add Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the fruit layers. Do not stir; just spread it out evenly.
4. Top with Butter: Distribute the sliced butter evenly over the top of the cake mix.
5. Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
6. Cool and Serve: Allow to cool for about 15 minutes before serving warm. This dump cake is delicious on its own or served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Dump cakes are incredibly versatile and can be made using a variety of ingredients. Here are some popular dump cake variations you can try:

1. Peach Dump Cake: Use canned peaches and a yellow cake mix for a simple, fruity dessert. (this is one of my favorites!)
2. Blueberry Dump Cake: Mix blueberry pie filling with a lemon cake mix for a refreshing twist.
3. Apple Dump Cake: Combine apple pie filling with a spice cake mix for a warm, comforting dessert.
4. Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake: Use cherry pie filling topped with chocolate cake mix for a rich, indulgent treat.
5. Strawberry Shortcake Dump Cake: Layer strawberry pie filling with an angel food cake mix for a light, fruity dessert.
6. Lemon Dump Cake: Combine lemon pie filling with yellow cake mix for a bright, citrusy flavor.
7. Caramel Apple Dump Cake: Mix apple pie filling with caramel sauce and top with a yellow cake mix for a decadent dessert.
8. Funfetti Dump Cake: Use funfetti cake mix with any fruit filling for a festive twist suitable for birthdays or celebrations.
9. Sweet Potato Dump Cake: Incorporate sweet potato puree and spices with a yellow or spice cake mix for a fall-inspired dessert (I’m planning on making this one for Christmas this year).

These variations allow you to customize your dump cake based on seasonal fruits or your personal preferences, making it easy to create something new and delicious every time!