This easy cherry pineapple dump cake with white cake mix or yellow turns out amazing! A fruit dessert cake mix recipe with only 4 main ingredients and you can add to it like coconut and nuts too.

pineapple cherry dump cake
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This cake mix cherry pineapple dump cake recipe is our latest creation and boy was it delicious! I was lucky enough to find pineapple cake mix and started thinking from there. I have been making a lot of easy dump cake recipes lately just because they’re so easy and all 5 of us love them. (affiliate links present)

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake with White Cake Mix

You really can use any flavor of cake mix you like, that is up to you. White will really let the other colors and ingredients you can see shine though just so you know. We have used several and they are all great. Cherry pie filling was a great pairing but if you prefer blueberries you could easily make that switch. This is what I used.

I didn’t have a can of crushed pineapple (which is what I would typically use). So I used these pineapple slices and just cut them into smaller tidbits right in the can, that worked just fine. That is what I mean when I say that dump cakes are so versatile! Seriously….use what is in your cupboard.

cake mix Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe

If you love cake mix hacks like we do this is going to be a real big hit. Not only is it easy to throw together but there are hundreds of possibilities. Use different mixes, diced fruit and/or pie filling flavors.

  1. 9×13 baking pan
  2. Can of cherry pie fruit filling
    1. 20 oz.
  3. Can of pineapple – tidbits were great
    1. crushed can be used too
  4. Box of cake mix
    1. Duncan Hines or any brand
    2. We used pineapple cake mix
    3. White or homemade yellow cake mix would work fine
  5. Butter
  6. Coconut – optional for the top of the cake
  7. Nuts – optional, we used honey roasted chopped pecans

Almost as easy as our 3 ingredient dump cake but with a few extras! You can of course use any boxed flavor you would like but if you want the pie filling to shine with the fruit I would choose white, yellow or strawberry works too.

Can you substitute pineapple juice for water to make cake mix?

Yes!! To add more flavor this is a great hack to make boxed cake mix better! You can substitute fruit juice instead of water in equal parts as directions indicate on the instructions listed. If you need 1/2 cup of liquid essentially, you really can use a juice of your choice instead.

Can you add milk instead of water to boxed cake mix?

You could and it will make your dessert even more moist. Keep in mind that it may not rise quite as high though because it is heavier with more fat. You could use half and half to make it more tender though.

easy dump cake

Cherry Pineapple Dessert

There are many methods of making a dump cake and I have used them all, you can: Use egg instead of melted butter to make it rise more – like in this cherry pie filling dump cake recipe

  • Layer the dry cake mix ingredients and not mix – like I did with this cherry pineapple dump cake recipe
  • Mix ingredients and then bake – like when I made blueberry pie filling dump cake cupcakes
  • Chocolate cherry dump cake uses cherry pie filling like this one does

It really depends on your preference and what you’re used to I guess but for this one I thought layering worked well. Many people put the cake mix on the top with just the butter drizzled on top and any small toppings you want to add but I really don’t like any dry mix left over.

I sandwich the cake mix in between the pie filling and the can of pineapple and it works out really well. No dry mix left, though it has a tendency to not rise as much because of the weight of the pineapple….BUT…. Let me tell you this is probably one of our favorite easy dump cake recipes!

Why does my dump cake have powder on it?

Don’t worry, go ahead and still eat it. If that look bothers you just fold it into the middle. That is just mix that didn’t get fully incorporated. It won’t hurt you, next time just make sure the butter covers the powder before baking.

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe

Cake Mix Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

Like I said you could use blueberry pie filling instead of cherry with this one, and coconut on top is optional. If you can’t find pineapple cake mix you can order it online here or use a box of yellow or white.

  • Use pineapple tidbits for a chunkier version like you see here (I prefer this). Or crushed pineapple in a can works well too but has a different texture entirely.

I wouldn’t use pineapple chunks because they’re going to be quite heavy on top. Though if all you have is a can of slices like I did then just cut it right in the can into tidbits using a knife going around the entire thing.

You’re going to want to melt your stick of butter and preheat oven to 350 degrees. I do this first using the microwave for about 30 seconds, or slice the butter for 20 seconds. Then bake and enjoy right out of the oven if you want! Just scoop it out because it isn’t supposed to come out in slices.

Does dump cake have to be refrigerated?

Whether you are baking in the oven or an Instant Pot dump cake you would want to save it the same way, once it has cooled completely to room temperature.

  • If you have some left once you’ve served it then yes I would refrigerate the leftovers.
  • I enjoy it warm so I don’t want it cold initially.

If you have fruit in it at all you would need to keep it cold once it has cooled or it will spoil. Just transfer it into an airtight container and it can be enjoyed again within 3 days. Eat it cold or warmed in the microwave. I will sometimes eat this or our Pineapple angel food cake recipe with 2 ingredients for breakfast. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe 2

How do you reheat dump cake?

The best way to reheat dump cake is to microwave it. If you have an entire peach dump cake or other version to reheat, do it in the oven for about 20 minutes at 350°F or until warm. Again, serve it with whipped cream or ice cream and it’s like new again For more goodness, try our cherry bread recipe too.

Once you’ve tried this bit of heaven, try these other dump cakes too: Gingerbread dump cake is great during the holidays with a box of dry mix too. Pumpkin pie dump cake is our favorite fall treat during those later months too when it is snowing outside, ooey and gooey with ice cream on top.

Pressure cooker chocolate lava cake can be made fast this way or we have done it in a slow cooker too which is a fun experiment.

Upside down cherry pie is something we accidentally made but it was so good we thought we’d share the recipe. Here’s the printable cherry pineapple dump cake recipe and video below so you can get started!

Pineapple Angel Food Cake Recipe 2
pineapple-dump-cake
4.80 from 5 votes

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake with White Cake Mix

By The Typical Mom
Cherry pineapple dump cake with white cake mix turns out amazing! A fruit dessert with only 4 main ingredients and you can add to it like coconut and nuts too.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 8
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Equipment

  • 1 9×13 pan

Ingredients 

  • 1 box cake mix, we used pineapple cake mix
  • 1 can pineapple, tidbits or crushed is best, 20 oz.
  • 1 can cherry pie filling, 21 oz
  • 1/2 c coconut, shredded, optional
  • 1/2 c nuts, chopped, optional
  • 1 stick butter, melted

Instructions 

  • In a 13×9 pan dump your can of pie filling on the bottom and spread out evenly, we used cherry. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  • Sprinkle your cake mix on top of that evenly, we used pineapple cake mix but if you can’t find that yellow or white would be just fine.
  • Pour your can of crushed or pineapple tidbits on top of that evenly, include the juice.
  • Melt your stick of butter and pour that evenly on top of that.
  • Sprinkle your sweetened shredded coconut over that, then sprinkle with nuts. We used crushed honey roasted pecans.
  • Put into your oven at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until the middle of your pineapple dump cake is lightly browned and looks like it is stiffening up.
  • Allow to cool a bit and then scoop out, could put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 3oz, Calories: 495kcal, Carbohydrates: 77g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 586mg, Potassium: 179mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 28g, Vitamin A: 505IU, Vitamin C: 2.8mg, Calcium: 154mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

Do you need to refrigerate dump cake?

People generally prefer that their dump cake is served warm from the oven. Some like it after it’s been a bit chilled after refrigeration. If you want to serve it cooled, let it cool off from the actual baking first. Then cover it with either cling wrap or aluminum foil. Place it into the refrigerator until serving that way.

pineapple-dump-cake

About The Typical Mom

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

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12 Comments

  1. This is so yummy! Can it be made on Wednesday for serving on Friday? (if kept in the refrigerator)

  2. I have been making this cake for years 50 years. Always has been a favorite. I use crushed pineapple and pour cake mix on top. Add sliced butter and bake. ๐Ÿ˜‹

  3. This is seriously the BEST dump cake…so yummy and so easy. My go-to dessert of the summer!

  4. I take a pastry cutter and cut soft butter into the cake mix before I spread it on the top of pinapple and blueberries or cherries. Then complete the recipe