Oh my goodness, let me tell you about the magic of Pineapple Dump Cake! The first time I made this dessert, I couldn’t believe something so simple could taste so incredible. It’s called “dump” cake because you literally just dump the ingredients in a pan and bake, no fancy mixing bowls, no complicated steps. Just pineapple, cake mix, and butter working their sweet, buttery magic in the oven.
I’ll never forget my neighbor bringing this over when I had last-minute guests coming. The smell of caramelized pineapple filling my kitchen had everyone asking for seconds before they even took a bite. Now it’s my go-to when I need a dessert that looks like I fussed, but really only took me 5 minutes to throw together. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love This Pineapple Dump Cake
This dessert is my secret weapon for so many reasons, let me count the ways!
- Effortless prep: You’ll spend more time preheating the oven than actually making this cake. No mixer, no fuss!
- Pantry staples: Just three ingredients stand between you and dessert heaven, pineapple, cake mix, and butter.
- Crowd-pleaser magic: That golden, crispy top gives way to warm pineapple goodness underneath. Even picky eaters beg for seconds.
- No-fail baking: Forget fancy techniques, if you can dump and drizzle, you can make this cake perfectly every time.
Seriously, I’ve made this for potlucks, bake sales, and lazy Sunday nights, it never disappoints! If you are looking for more easy dessert ideas, check out our full collection of desserts.
Pineapple Dump Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Spread the crushed pineapple evenly in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the pineapple.
- Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Notes
Pineapple Dump Cake Ingredients
Here’s all you need to make this magical dessert, I bet you have most of it in your pantry right now!
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained, Don’t you dare pour out that juice! It’s the secret to keeping our cake moist.
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix, The classic choice, but don’t worry, we’ll talk about fun variations later.
- ½ cup melted butter, Real butter, please! It creates that irresistible crispy golden top we all love.
See? Told you it was simple! Now let’s get baking.
Equipment You’ll Need
Grab these two kitchen basics, that’s really all you need!
- 9×13-inch baking dish, My trusty Pyrex has seen dozens of these cakes. Glass or metal both work great!
- Mixing bowl, Just one small one for melting the butter. See? I told you this was easy.
No fancy gadgets required, now let’s make some magic happen!
How to Make Pineapple Dump Cake
Okay, friends, here’s where the magic happens! I’m going to walk you through each simple step to create this glorious dessert. Don’t blink, you might miss how fast this comes together!
Step 1: Prep the Baking Dish
First things first, crank that oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, grab your baking dish and give it a quick grease. I like to use butter or nonstick spray, just enough to make sure our cake doesn’t stick. The smell of pineapple caramelizing against the sides? Absolute heaven!
Step 2: Layer the Pineapple
Now for the star of the show! Open your can of pineapple (don’t drain it, that juice is liquid gold!) and pour it right into your prepared dish. Use a spoon to spread it evenly across the bottom. You’ll want every bite to have that sweet-tart pineapple goodness!
Step 3: Add the Cake Mix
Here’s where the “dump” in dump cake really shines. Simply sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the pineapple layer. No stirring! No mixing! Just let those powdery little grains sit right on top, they’ll work their magic in the oven. I like to give the pan a gentle shake to distribute everything evenly.
Step 4: Drizzle with Butter
Now for the golden crown! Melt your butter (I zap mine in the microwave for about 30 seconds) and drizzle it all over the cake mix. Try to cover as much surface area as possible, this creates those irresistible crispy bits on top. Pro tip: Use a spoon to help spread any spots you might have missed!
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pop that beauty in the oven and let the magic happen! In about 40 minutes, you’ll have a golden-brown masterpiece. To test doneness, stick a toothpick in the center, it should come out clean (well, maybe with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter). The edges should be bubbly and the top crispy. Oh, that smell filling your kitchen? Pure happiness!
See? I told you this was easy! Now comes the hardest part, waiting for it to cool just enough so you don’t burn your tongue diving in!
Tips for the Best Pineapple Dump Cake
After making this cake more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks to make it absolutely perfect every time. First, use room-temperature butter for drizzling, it spreads more evenly than cold butter straight from the fridge. And whatever you do, resist the urge to stir! The magic happens when you let the layers stay separate. Oh, and start checking for doneness at 35 minutes, ovens vary, and you don’t want to overbake that gorgeous golden top!
Here’s my secret weapon: if the top starts browning too quickly, just tent it loosely with foil. And for extra flavor, try sprinkling a handful of shredded coconut or chopped pecans over the butter before baking. Trust me, these little touches take an already amazing dessert to next-level deliciousness! For more baking inspiration, check out recipesloop.com.
Pineapple Dump Cake Variations
Oh my gosh, you guys, this recipe is like a blank canvas for your dessert dreams! Here are some of my favorite ways to mix it up when I’m feeling fancy (but still want that easy “dump” magic):
- Beach vibes: Toss a handful of sweetened coconut flakes over the pineapple before adding the cake mix. It toasts up beautifully with the butter!
- Tropical twist: Add some maraschino cherries (with their juice!) to the pineapple layer. The red and yellow look so pretty together!
- Spice it up: Swap the yellow cake mix for spice cake mix, the warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors pair perfectly with pineapple. If you enjoy spice flavors, you might also love our Cherry Delight Dump Cake Recipe.
- Nutty goodness: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the butter drizzle for extra crunch.
The best part? You can’t mess this up, just dump, drizzle, and enjoy your delicious creation!
Serving and Storing Pineapple Dump Cake
Oh, the moment we’ve all been waiting for, serving this warm, gooey masterpiece! I always dish it up straight from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top. That hot-cold contrast? Pure bliss! For storage, just cover any leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have some!) and keep at room temp for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. A quick 10-second microwave zap brings back that fresh-from-the-oven magic!
Pineapple Dump Cake FAQs
I get asked these questions all the time, let me share everything I’ve learned from my dump cake adventures!
“Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?” Oh honey, I learned this the hard way, fresh pineapple makes the cake way too watery. The canned stuff has just the right amount of juice to create that perfect moist texture without turning into soup. Trust me on this one!
“Is there a way to make this less sweet?” Absolutely! Try using a sugar-free yellow cake mix, it works like a charm. You could also cut the pineapple juice by half if you’re really watching sugar, but I find the full can gives the best results. If you are interested in other easy recipes, check out our Graham Cracker Icebox Bars Recipe.
“Can I double the recipe for a crowd?” You bet! Just use two baking dishes side by side, don’t try to cram it all into one pan or you’ll end up with a gooey mess in the middle. I do this all the time for potlucks!
“Why is my cake too dry?” Two likely culprits: either you drained the pineapple (keep that juice!) or you overbaked it. Remember, golden brown edges and a clean toothpick test mean it’s done!
Nutritional Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop on what you’re enjoying! Keep in mind these numbers can vary based on your specific brands. Each delicious serving comes in around 250 calories, with 10g of that heavenly fat, 40g of sweet carbs, and just 1g of protein. Not bad for such a satisfying dessert, right? Just remember, calories don’t count when you’re sharing with friends!
You’ve Got to Try This Pineapple Dump Cake!
Okay, now it’s your turn to experience this magical dessert! I’m telling you, once you see how easy and delicious this Pineapple Dump Cake is, you’ll be making it all the time like I do. It’s perfect for last-minute guests, potlucks, or just when you need a little sweet pick-me-up. For more main meal inspiration, visit our Main Meals section.
I’d love to hear how yours turns out, did you stick with the classic version or try one of the fun variations? Maybe you discovered a new twist I haven’t thought of yet! Snap a photo of your golden creation and share it with your friends, they’ll think you spent hours baking when really it took barely any effort at all.
Remember, the best part about this recipe (besides how amazing it tastes) is how it brings people together. Whether you’re serving it to family after dinner or bringing it to a neighborhood gathering, this cake always sparks happy conversations and requests for the recipe. Now go preheat that oven, your perfect Pineapple Dump Cake adventure awaits!
