This 4 ingredient gingerbread dump cake with cake mix is easy to make, moist and delicious for Christmas time! Serve our gingerbread cake in 9×13 pan for brunch or dessert this year. Great recipe loved by all.
I thought this gingerbread dump cake should be added to our easy dump cake recipes list on The Typical Mom blog. Now that the holidays are rolling around we’re all about treats. (originally published 11/19, affiliate links present)
You’ll have to let us know what you think but I’d say it’s a great Christmas dessert that only requires 4 basic ingredients and you can whip up together fast!! We made this after enjoying a batch of cake mix gingerbread muffins, without a bowl, you just layer everything in the pan.
Gingerbread dump cake
- Gingerbread cake and cookie mix
- Apple pie filling – this is how you make homemade apple pie filling or you can buy a can
- Butter
- Can of crushed pineapple
- Nuts – optional of course but honey roasted are yummy
- No added gingerbread spice is necessary for this
Easy right??!!
Unlike our homemade zucchini gingerbread loaf, this is super easy. It only requires a little bit of layering and dumping everything in. NO mixing is even required. Seriously.
Why I love dump cakes
- They can be whipped together at a moments notice, great when guests arrive unexpectedly
- Dump cakes only require a few ingredients
- You can use whichever type of pie filling you like traditionally in just about any dump cake recipe
- Dump cake recipes always come out moist
- There’s no need to cut a pretty slice, you just scoop out and serve
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top or whipped cream if you’re feeling really naughty
They’re just so good!! Comfort food to the max let’s say. Here’s a quick peek at the process of making this easy gingerbread cake with apples.
Like I said, these traditionally just use butter or layering of a can of pie filling + crushed pineapple. That is my go to method.
I have made the traditional 3 ingredient dump cake recipe before where you just use cake mix, egg and a lot of butter but it isn’t my preference. That way comes out well…..very buttery and heavy to me, so most of my easy dump cakes have fruit and ie filling.
I thought apple and pineapple would compliment our gingerbread cake pretty well and my family agreed…but you could swap out the pie filling if you preferred.
What if you don’t care for pineapple or cannot eat it?
- I have had a few people ask me this and my only suggestion would be to replace the can of crushed pineapple with another can of apple pie filling.
- Note – this will probably make the cake take a bit longer to cook
It may be more dense because of the weight of the top layer of apple pie filling
This is what it looked like when it was done. I waited until the very edges of the cake peeking out looked done and was pulling away from the sides and then allowed it to cool on a cooling rack so the whole cake can solidify a bit more before scooping out.
By all means if you are anxious and need dessert right when it looks like this and you pull your gingerbread cake out then scoop out immediately and serve!! It will just be a bit looser that way, that is all….but still delish!! Here are some other Christmas quick easy dessert recipes you should try too:
- Starbucks gingerbread loaf or ginger banana bread are great breakfast ideas.
- Gingerbread pumpkin bundt cake
- Christmas lasagna is fun
- Pumpkin angel food cake
- and pineapple angel food cake are 2 ingredient dump cakes that are great for the Fall
We have a bunch of cake mix recipes to make things really easy. You can make things like our 2 ingredient pumpkin muffins, all the way to these cake mix gingerbread cookies.
How to Make Gingerbread Dump Cake with Cake Mix
Let us explain step by step how simple this one is to throw together though. There is a printable recipe card too below:
Time needed: 40 minutes
Gingerbread Dump Cake
- Prepare
Spray 13×9 pan with non stick spray. Pour apple pie filling into pan and spread evenly across bottom. Sprinkle dry gingerbread cake mix on top of that, spread evenly across pan.
Dump crushed pineapple on top of mix, spread evenly across pan.
Melt butter and pour on top, evenly. Sprinkle nuts on very top if you want to add those. - Bake
Put into preheated oven at 350 degrees for 40 – 45 minutes or until edges are light brown, cake-like, and no longer wet. Allow to cool on a cooling rack to firm up a bit. Scoop out and serve.
Gingerbread Dump Cake
Equipment
- 1 9×13 pan
Ingredients
- 1 box gingerbread cake mix, 14.5 oz
- 1 can pineapple, crushed, 20 oz
- 1 can apple pie filling, 21 oz
- 1/2 c nuts, honey roasted pecans we used
- 6 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Spray 13×9 pan with non stick spray. Pour apple pie filling into pan and spread evenly across bottom.
- Sprinkle dry gingerbread cake mix on top of that, spread evenly across pan.
- Dump crushed pineapple on top of mix, spread evenly across pan.
- Melt butter and pour on top, evenly. Sprinkle nuts on very top if you want to add those.
- Put into preheated oven at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until edges are light brown, cake-like, and no longer wet.
- Allow to cool on a cooling rack to firm up a bit.
- Scoop out and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you use the recipe in a crock pot?
Not sure that would work
I’m having a hard time finding the gingerbread cake mix. Would spice cake mix work?
Yes, it just won’t have as strong of a flavor
Not crazy about apples what to substitute?
I made this last week for a luncheon at work. I did not make it before to taste it, so I just crossed my fingers. Then the only gingerbread cake/cookie mix I could find was Hodgson Mills, which was a whole wheat mixture and possibly too heavy. Amazingly, this cake was delicious and perfect. Great recipe!!!
So glad everyone loved it!!
Do you drain the juice from the crushed pineapple or do you add the juice as well to the mixture?
No do not drain the crushed pineapple.
I am wondering also about what to replace the pinapple with- it is a areflux trigger in our family. Thank you!
My initial thought would be to use 2 cans of apple pie filling, it will be a big heavier and may take a bit longer to cook because of the weight on top but if I were to make without that is what I would try.
Sounds easy and delicious! Was wondering if it could be made a day ahead? Will it need to be reheated before serving?
Haven’t made it ahead of time myself. I suppose you could and refrigerate but cake will have a different texture the next day when reheated
Can you replace/omit the pineapple? My daughter doesn’t like pineapple. Thank you.
Love this easy recipe that totally transforms a cake box mix! Semi-homemade is awesome!
I am salivating over this scrumptious-looking gingerbread dump cake! I love how quick and easy it is to make.