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Culinary

What Is Pineapple Dump Cake?

By Rachael Cullins
Updated May 17, 2024
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A pineapple dump cake is a simple dessert that includes pieces of pineapple on a bottom layer topped with cake mix that is “dumped” on top prior to baking. The cake is a very easy dessert to make since the ingredients are layered rather haphazardly and require little to no shaping or other preparation. This dessert can be topped with various flavorful additions or made in combination with other fruits.

A dump cake is similar to a cobbler in that it includes fruit and a baked, crunchy topping. Its preparation is simpler than a cobbler, as ingredients are — true to the dessert’s name — typically dumped in a cake pan and baked as-is. The slightly disheveled look and feel of a pineapple dump cake is part of its “homemade” appeal. The recipe is good for bakers who don’t have copious amounts of time to make a dish or to make with children, given its quick and easy assembly.

Most dump cakes feature canned fruit, though fresh fruit could be used as well. Using canned fruit in a pineapple dump cake is certainly the easiest way to prepare the dish. The most basic recipe for pineapple dump cake calls for canned pineapple spread in a cake pan, topped by one package of cake mix and baked for about one hour. Drizzling the top of the cake with butter or margarine prior to baking can help give the dessert a bit of added moisture and flavor.

Pineapple dump cake can be prepared using only these two ingredients, or a variety of other fruits or toppings can be added. Mixing a can of cherries or a can of peaches and a can of pineapple for the bottom layer of the cake is a tasty variation. Many bakers sprinkle powdered sugar or slivered almonds on top of a pineapple dump cake to give the final product a bit of an aesthetic and flavor boost. Pecans are another popular addition on top of the cake.

The baker can use whatever flavor of cake mix he or she prefers in a pineapple dump cake. Plain yellow cake mix is the most common topping for the cake, to create a basic, cobbler-like dish. Chocolate cake mix can be used for a completely different-tasting cake. Children may enjoy a pineapple dump cake that uses confetti cake mix or red velvet mix. Spreading whipped cream on top of the cake after baking and adding fresh pineapple or cherries on top of the cream makes a good summertime dessert.

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Discussion Comments

By Pippinwhite — On Feb 06, 2014

I really have to wonder if the author has actually ever made a dump cake of any kind. Putting the dry cake mix on top without any butter is going to result in a nasty mess.

Here's how you make a real dump cake, pineapple or otherwise:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Put two cans of fruit pie filling (your choice, same or mix and match) in the bottom of a 13-by-9 baking pan. Top with a small can of drained, crushed pineapple. Top with a box of dry yellow cake mix. Add about 1/2 cup toasted pecans or nuts of choice, if desired. Melt 1 1/2 sticks of butter and pour over all. Bake for 45 minutes to one hour. Remove from oven, cool for about 15 minutes and enjoy with ice cream. I often use peach filling on one end and cherry on the other. Good stuff.

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