This Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake has just 5 ingredients. Ridiculously EASY! @natashaskitchen

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This Pineapple Cherry “Dump” Cake has just 5 ingredients and is probably one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make. I admit the name isn’t all too appealing, but you literally just “dump” the ingredients into the pan. There’s no stirring, beating, or prep involved that you’d normally expect when baking a dessert. It’s easy peasy. Pair this dump cake with vanilla ice cream and you have yourself one super tasty, crowd-pleasing cake.

I first tried this cake at a party and it was made by a gal in our church, Tanya M, who got the recipe from her sister Natalya K, who got the recipe from a friend, Tanya O. When a recipe makes its way around the block, you know it’s gonna be a good one! Thank you ladies for passing it along :).

This Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake has just 5 ingredients. Ridiculously EASY! @natashaskitchen

Ingredients for Cherry Dump Cake:

20 oz crushed pineapple, undrained (we used Dole)
21 oz cherry pie filling (we used Duncan Hines)
1 pkg moist yellow cake mix (we used Betty Crocker)
1/2 – 1 cup shaved almonds or chopped walnuts
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

This Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake has just 5 ingredients. Ridiculously EASY! @natashaskitchen

How to Make a Dump Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350˚. Butter bottom and sides of a 9×13 inch baking pan.

2. Dump pineapple with juice and spread into bottom of pan. Top with cherry pie filling.

Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake-2

Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake-3

3. Sprinkle the top evenly with dry cake mix, add nuts if using then drizzle the top with melted butter. Bake uncovered at 350˚F for 55-60 min or until bubbly and browned.

Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake-4

Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake-5

Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake-6

Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake-7

Easy Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake

4.89 from 26 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
This Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake has just 5 ingredients. Ridiculously EASY! @natashaskitchen
This Pineapple Cherry "Dump" Cake has just 5 ingredients and is probably one of the easiest desserts you'll ever make. I admit the name isn't all too appealing, but you literally just "dump" the ingredients into the pan. There's no stirring, beating, or prep involved that you'd normally expect when baking a dessert. It's easy peasy. Pair this dump cake with vanilla ice cream and you have yourself one super tasty, crowd-pleasing cake.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 Servings
  • 20 oz crushed pineapple, undrained (we used Dole)
  • 21 oz cherry pie filling, we used Duncan Hines
  • 1 pkg moist yellow cake mix, we used Betty Crocker
  • 1/2 - 1 cup shaved almonds or chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup 1 stick butter, melted

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350˚. Butter bottom and sides of a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  • Dump pineapple with juice and spread into bottom of pan. Top with cherry pie filling.
  • Sprinkle the top evenly with dry cake mix, add nuts if using then drizzle the top with melted butter. Bake uncovered at 350˚F for 55-60 min or until bubbly and browned.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

 

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This Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake has just 5 ingredients. Ridiculously EASY! @natashaskitchen 

4.89 from 26 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Stephanie
    October 4, 2020

    Oh my goodness, this dump cake is to die for, Natasha! I followed the exact directions and I must say it’s a hit at my house! The almonds are a wonderful tasty addition and they toast so nicely! What a delicious flavor this cake has. We ate it warm with coconut whipped topping sprayed on top and it was fabulous! I’ll definitely make it again! Love your recipes, Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 5, 2020

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

  • Tamie Wren
    May 18, 2020

    Made this today, it was amazing. Hubby loved it. I made it as written and enjoyed every bite of it.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 19, 2020

      Glad to hear that Tamie. Thanks for sharing that with us!

      Reply

  • BK Bates
    February 2, 2020

    Natasha, is a dump cake suppose to be cake like or gooey on the inside? You can guess I don’t do much cooking!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      February 3, 2020

      Hi, the cherry portion is supposed to be gooey while the cake portion is more baked.

      Reply

  • Mary
    September 1, 2019

    I put cake mix, butter, little brown sugar and pecans in food processor, pulse a few times then spread over fruit…..no more cake mix that didn’t get butter! I have made this cake for at least 30 years, always a favorite! Love all your recipes, Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 2, 2019

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m so glad you enjoyed that.

      Reply

  • Chris
    April 12, 2019

    Dump cakes are always a hit. I try different cake flavors. Recently did the cherries/pineapple with a coconut cake mix, very good. A while back, after have many dishes that required “drizzling or patting” butter on top, and it never turning out “just right”, I started doing this and it was a game changer. Put a stick of butter in the freezer for a while, then use a flat cheese grater to evenly distribute over the top… it’s heavenly! Everyone thought it was mozzarella cheese lol. It allows that nice browning and crispness with every single bite.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 12, 2019

      I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!

      Reply

  • theresa faling
    March 1, 2019

    does it need to be re/frigerated?.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 2, 2019

      Hi Theresa, the leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days

      Reply

  • Cindy Culp
    November 21, 2018

    Nice blog!!
    I am making this for Thanksgiving, 2018. i used to make it literally decades ago. So I looked up to make sure I had details right
    . I was thinking about trying VANILLA cake mix but no pineapple (husband doesn’t like pineapple) . Hope it’s not too dry! Thanks ladies for reviews

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 21, 2018

      I hope you love it, Cindy!

      Reply

  • Sarah
    November 6, 2018

    HAs anyone mixed this all together and baked to see how it would come out? I’m curious

    Reply

  • Pam
    October 7, 2018

    Amazingly easy,I changed the layering I found starting with cherry filling on bottom then using a sifter to add cake mix followed by pineapple tidbits and drizzling butter on top eliminated dry cake mix . I didn’t use coconut or nuts because family didn’t like those ingredients. Really good with ice cream

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 7, 2018

      Thank you for sharing this with us, Pam!

      Reply

  • Contrary Mary
    July 7, 2018

    This is a classic recipe for pot luck meals. This time i used a cherry chip cake mix on top of pineapple and cherry pie filling. I topped it with chopped pecans and shredded coconut. I drizzled the top with 1 stick of melted butter to which i added half cup of coconut oil. I can’t wait until it’s time to eat!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 7, 2018

      That sounds amazing, Contrary! Thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

  • Amber
    July 6, 2018

    This cake is soo simple to make! And super delicious too!
    I omitted the nuts, as some people I planned on serving it to have allergies.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 6, 2018

      That’s so great Amber! I love that you planned ahead for your guests, so thoughtful! I’m happy you enjoyed this cake!

      Reply

  • Zoe
    August 1, 2017

    I can’t have nuts so I was wondering what would be a good topping to replace the nuts. Any suggestions?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 2, 2017

      You might just omit them or maybe try some kind of seed like pumpkin seeds?

      Reply

    • Erika
      February 19, 2018

      I tried this recipe with shaved sweetened coconut flakes (instead of the nuts), and it was amazing.

      Reply

  • Vivian Rhines
    June 7, 2017

    Tried this recipe. Disappointed ther was not enough moisture and the cake mix was only dry floured caiei mix. I put butter on top and followed directions.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 7, 2017

      Hi Vivian, I’ve never had that experience before so I’m not sure what could have gone wrong. Was the size of the baking dish different or maybe the proportions were altered? I hope that helps! It’s difficult to say without being there.

      Reply

      • Jenny Krepps
        September 21, 2018

        I have had that happen to me (and I have made it many times). I decided to completely cover the top of the cake mix with pats of butter (overlapped the pieces). That worked well.

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          September 21, 2018

          Thanks for sharing that Jenny!

          Reply

    • amy
      March 4, 2018

      I had that problem too. I believe my pan was a little big. I added pats of butter to the dry spots while cooking and it worked.

      Reply

  • Gail Payne
    May 27, 2017

    Do you have to use butter? How about applesauce? Trying to cut calories. I already use lite cherries and sugar free cake mix

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 27, 2017

      Hi Gail, I really haven’t tested that substitute so it is difficult to guess. If you try it, let me know how it goes 🙂 Sorry I can’t be more helpful!

      Reply

      • Gail Payne
        May 28, 2017

        I did substitute dollops of chunky applesauce, for the butter. Added pecans on top. FABULOUS! Great , Thank you!

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          May 28, 2017

          My pleasure Gail! I’m glad the substitution worked out, thanks for sharing!

          Reply

  • Maddy
    May 13, 2017

    How many calories in a serving

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 14, 2017

      Maddy, I don’t typically include calorie counts because of the time constraint that I have. I really need to hire some help to do that for me! When I need a quick answer though; I have used Caloriecount.com (their recipe analyzer is free).”

      Reply

  • CakenGifts
    April 22, 2017

    Best Pineapple Cake ever!!!…and so simple!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 22, 2017

      Thank you!

      Reply

  • patricia
    January 23, 2017

    This cake is from back in the 1980’s !!!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 23, 2017

      LOL! It is so good!! 🙂

      Reply

    • Ciny
      February 28, 2018

      try before that….we were eating this in the 70’s…it can be made with any pie filling and we added crushed pecans to the top….always with the pineapple and yellow cake mix and two sticks of real butter!!! It was a go to favorite at pot lucks… 🙂

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        February 28, 2018

        Thank you for sharing!! 🙂

        Reply

  • Leigh
    October 2, 2016

    Has anyone tried this recipe with chunk pineapple? I have company coming and have the cherry filling and cake mix but no crushed pineapple…..
    Ok…. I will be brave and go for it…. No time to get to the store…. Wish me luck….!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 3, 2016

      I think chunk pineapple would work. Let me know how you like it!

      Reply

    • Mary
      July 20, 2017

      I just used that crushing tool on a 20 oz. can of pineapple pieces.

      Reply

  • Maria Mammano
    June 28, 2016

    i want to make this the night before our gathering. is that recommended?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 28, 2016

      Hi Maria, I think it’s best eaten the same day it’s made. It presents best on the day it’s made.

      Reply

  • Vee
    June 11, 2016

    OMG! So good. Used triple chocolate cake mix. Told hubby to hide it before I eat it all. So easy.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 11, 2016

      Oh wow I had never thought to use chocolate cake. Yum!!

      Reply

      • Priscilla
        July 17, 2016

        Did you use the pineapple or 2 cans of cherries?

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          July 17, 2016

          Hi Priscilla, I use both:
          20 oz crushed pineapple, undrained (we used Dole)
          21 oz cherry pie filling (we used Duncan Hines)

          Reply

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