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Pineapple Dump Cake

Pineapple Dump Cake contains tangy pineapples topped with a yellow, buttery cake crust.  Pairs very well with cold vanilla ice cream or real whipped cream.   This the #1 recipe on this blog.

EDITOR’S NOTE (June 14, 2020):  To watch video demonstration, see link in Recipe Notes.  PIN here on Pinterest.

DISCLOSURE:  General Mills provided the Betty Crocker Yellow Cake Mix used to make this recipe.  I emailed a request to the company for complimentary boxes of cake mix.  Products arrived a few days later.

The ingredients I used.

Pineapple Dump Cake is my creative twist on Betty Crocker’s famous dump cake.

Although I love homemade from scratch cakes, I also love desserts made with a cake mix because they’re quick and easy to make with a few ingredients.

What is a dump cake?

A dump cake is made by dumping fruit or pie filling into a buttered pan and dumping cake mix on top. Dots of cold butter are scattered over the top before baking.  Usually served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. 

Perfect dessert for holiday dinners, potlucks and family gatherings.

A boxed  cake mix combined with fruit is easy to make and soooo good!   

Sprinkling lemon juice over the pineapples decreases sweetness and adds a pleasant tang.

Who invented dump cake?

A dump cake is made with simple pantry ingredients.

The earliest dump cake reference is from a Duncan Hines holiday baking brochure published in 1980.

In August 2018, I photographed this Pinterest page which is only visible to me.  Photo confirms recipe received 164,000 impressions!  It is the most popular (#1) recipe in my collection.

I love creating and sharing recipes.  Ingredients do cost money.  It’s a blessing to receive complimentary products.

Be sure to check out my Cream Cheese Pound Cake and Cream Cheese Cake Mix Cookies.

Helpful Tips For Beginners:  How To Read & Follow Any Recipe

Reading a recipe is an important life skill that  requires knowing how to read a recipe’s ingredients, follow the instructions, prep ingredients, and what type of equipment to use. 

The following tips will help beginners or experienced cooks use a recipe to create a delicious dish. 

Start with clean hands and organized kitchen.  Wash hands thoroughly.  Make sure kitchen and countertops are clean before making a recipe.

Create a relaxing environment.  Play favorite music while in the kitchen.  I love listening to classical or gospel music. 

Read the entire recipe from start to finish.  Visualize doing each step which will help you follow each step. 

If you see ingredient that you and your family don’t use for whatever reason, try a substitute or omit the ingredient.

Pay attention to the order in which ingredients are prepped.  For example, 1 cup of  chopped pecans is not the same as walnuts, chopped (measure whole walnuts and then chop).  

Know the assumptions.  For example, when my recipe calls for “sugar,” use granulated sugar.  If brown sugar is an ingredient, it will be written that way in the recipe.  

Figure out the timing. Check the listed “prep time” and “total time” to be sure you have enough time to complete the recipe.

Look for hints, such as the words “meanwhile” or “at the same time,” which indicate two or more steps can happen simultaneously.  

Watch Recipe Videos.    If you’re a visual learner (like me), watch recipe videos.  Perfect for when you’re learning a new skill or just want to see how a recipe is made.    

Mise en place is a super time saver. This French cooking term translates as “putting in place.”   It means prepping/measuring ingredients and chopping food before you start cooking. It’s the perfect way to get organized, use each ingredient and complete each step.  Nothing is overlooked.

Organize your tools and kitchen equipment.  Mise en place isn’t just for ingredients.   Before starting, make sure you have parchment paper, aluminum foil, measuring cups, measuring spoons, the right pans, mixing bowls, and other equipment.

Kitchen Supplies Sifter

Make notes in your recipe. Note any special prep instructions and highlight cooking times.  Make note of ingredients omitted,  favorite substitutions and creative twists.   The notes will be helpful the next time you make this recipe. 

Enjoy!

Print Recipe
Pineapple Dump Cake
This dessert contains tangy pineapples topped with a yellow cake crust. Excellent served with vanilla ice cream or real whipped cream. Easy to make with a yellow cake mix. Recipe and photography by Beverly Davis for CornbreadMillionaire.com.
Pineapple Dump Cake
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword cake, dump cake, pineapples
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
  • 2 cans (20 ounces each) pineapple crushed or tidbits pineapples in juice Total is 40 ounces.
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3-1/2 tablespoons lemon juice From one lemon.
  • 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cold Do not use margarine.
  • vanilla ice cream or real whipped cream optional
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword cake, dump cake, pineapples
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
  • 2 cans (20 ounces each) pineapple crushed or tidbits pineapples in juice Total is 40 ounces.
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3-1/2 tablespoons lemon juice From one lemon.
  • 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cold Do not use margarine.
  • vanilla ice cream or real whipped cream optional
Pineapple Dump Cake
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Dump pineapples with juice into a 9x13 buttered baking dish. Stir in vanilla extract and lemon juice.
  3. Dump (or sprinkle) cake mix evenly over fruit mixture in baking dish. Dot all over with pieces of cold unsalted butter (1 stick). Do not use margarine.
  4. Bake 20 minutes. Carefully remove HOT baking dish from HOT oven. Use back of spoon to lightly spread melted butter evenly over cake mix until all of mix is coated with butter. Do this so entire top crust will be buttery (no dry cake crumbs). This step is optional.
  5. Return to oven. Bake 20-25 more minutes or until bubbly and top cake crust is golden brown.
  6. If desired, serve cold or hot with vanilla ice cream or real whipped cream.
  7. NOTE: Refrigerate 2 hours up to overnight before serving cold.
Recipe Notes

 

**************

Pineapple Dump Cake Pudding Use 1-1/2 sticks of unsalted butter (not margarine).  Follow baking instructions. The baked pineapple dump cake will be bubbly with a golden crust.  It will also be thin and slightly runny.  After it cools, refrigerate 2 hours up to overnight to form a pudding.  The cold pineapple mixture and the cold cake crust reminds me of  vanilla wafers in banana pudding.   Delicious!

Related

44 thoughts on “Pineapple Dump Cake”

  1. Marie says:
    July 25, 2018 at 11:22 am

    I am making this pineapple cake recipe now. My cake mix and melted butter is crumbly not sticky. Is that how its suppose to look. You said sticky in recipe. Well going with recipe exactly hope this is right.

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      July 25, 2018 at 12:42 pm

      Hi Marie! Melted butter should make it sticky. Here’s a great tip: Sprinkle crumbly batter evenly over fruit mixture in baking dish. Place in oven. It will bake nicely into a crumbly texture which is GOOD! To obtain a soft texture with “crumbly batter” simply remove from oven after 20 minutes. Smooth top crust with back of spoon. Return to oven and finish baking. Top crust will be soft (similar to a very tender cake). Thanks for asking! Enjoy your dessert.

      Reply
      1. Thera Webster says:
        February 21, 2021 at 3:21 pm

        Hi! I just put it back in the oven after letting it bake for 20 minutes as directed.l put about a tablespoon and a half of fresh grated ginger and some chopped pecans in the pineapple mixture.I will email pics when it’s done and it smells great!

        Reply
  2. Maria de los Angeles Larrain says:
    May 19, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    How many oz of pinnaple in total?, 20 or 40?

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      May 20, 2019 at 4:43 pm

      Hi Maria! Thank you for asking! Two cans (20 ounces each). Total is 40 ounces. I’ve also updated the recipe. Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Tracy Q. says:
    August 10, 2019 at 2:43 pm

    I used lime juice (prefer over lemon juice) and a no sugar added white cake mix (my family is borderline diabetic). OHMYGOODNESS! This is out of this world great. Followed the recipe completely otherwise. Thank you for posting this recipe

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      August 11, 2019 at 10:41 am

      Hi Tracy!

      You are welcome! I greatly appreciate our positive comment. Made my day! Delighted to know you made this recipe work for you and your family to enjoy.

      Reply
  4. Lejuana says:
    November 5, 2019 at 10:58 am

    Do I mix the cake batter like I’m baking a cake before adding it on top or does the cake mix go on dry

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      November 5, 2019 at 1:08 pm

      Hi Lejuana,
      Sprinkle dry cake mix over pineapples. Dot all over with pieces of cold butter. Place in preheated oven.

      Bake 20 minutes. Carefully remove HOT baking dish from HOT oven. Use back of spoon to lightly spread melted butter evenly over cake mix until all of mix is coated with butter. Do this so entire top crust will be buttery (no dry cake crumbs). This step is optional.

      Bake 20-25 additional minutes or until top crust is bubbly and golden brown.

      Please let me know if I may be of further assistance. Thank you for visiting. Please come again.

      Reply
  5. Paris Hawkins says:
    November 27, 2019 at 12:45 pm

    What if I don’t have the lemon juice or vanilla extract on hand what would be a good substitute

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      November 27, 2019 at 1:00 pm

      Hi Paris! Pineapple extract is a good substitute. Lemon juice adds a tasty tang. If you omit, the cake will be sweet.

      Reply
  6. Andi says:
    December 7, 2019 at 2:17 pm

    I have made this recipe before and it is delicious. I add walnuts. Sprinkle chopped walnuts evenly over the cake mix then add the butter. YUM!

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      December 8, 2019 at 3:49 am

      Hi Andi! Thank you for visiting and sharing your delicious recipe. Happy holidays!

      Reply
  7. Gloria says:
    January 16, 2020 at 9:19 pm

    I only had key lime juice on hand. It came out awesome!!!!! More of a little Pina colada taste. Next time I’ll sprinkle some coconut on it! Thank you for sharing your recipe!

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      January 17, 2020 at 9:40 am

      Gloria, you’re welcome. Greatly appreciate you for visiting my blog and sharing your awesome experience. The shredded coconut sounds delicious.

      Reply
  8. Jamie Robbins says:
    February 25, 2020 at 9:23 pm

    Can you store out of refrigerator?

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      February 25, 2020 at 10:03 pm

      Jamie, I always store in fridge. Warm in preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. Better than microwave in my opinion.

      Reply
  9. Krystal says:
    March 26, 2020 at 11:42 pm

    Perfect cake for making while in quarantine! Thanks for the easy recipe!

    Reply
    1. Wanda Brandenburg says:
      March 27, 2020 at 4:34 pm

      Yep…I’m right here with ya…since I had the ingredients on hand I decided to give it a try! I prefer cakes like this over cakes with icing.

      Reply
      1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
        April 2, 2020 at 4:44 pm

        Yes, Wanda! I hope you enjoyed every bite. Dump cakes are far better than frosted cakes in my opinion. Stay safe!

        Reply
    2. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      April 2, 2020 at 4:43 pm

      Hi Krystal! Yes, it’s perfect for this quarantine. Enjoy every bite. Stay safe!

      Reply
  10. Angie says:
    April 8, 2020 at 7:39 pm

    I only have one can crushed pineapple. Will this still work?

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      April 8, 2020 at 8:13 pm

      Hi Angie! Thanks for your interest in my recipe! I’ve never tested with one can of pineapples.
      I’m “guessing” it will be a moist cake with small pieces of pineapples. Worth a try!

      Reply
  11. Cindy says:
    April 15, 2020 at 10:54 pm

    I made an apple Dump cake a few days ago with just one can but I used a 9×9 pan and I used a half a box of cake mix. Turned out great, Hope that helps.

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      April 21, 2020 at 9:46 pm

      Cindy, thank you for the helpful tip! Helps a lot. Making one soon.

      Reply
    2. Wendy says:
      April 25, 2020 at 8:18 pm

      How long did you cook it?

      Reply
      1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
        April 26, 2020 at 12:32 am

        Thank you for asking! Remove from oven. Use back of spoon to “smooth” top of cake until cake batter and melted butter are combined. Return to oven for 20-25 more minutes until top crust is brown and edges are bubbly.

        Reply
  12. Charlotte Tomeski says:
    April 19, 2020 at 10:10 am

    In quarantine in NC and making this today. Stay safe and healthy everyone.

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      April 21, 2020 at 9:47 pm

      Charlotte, I hope you enjoyed the Pineapple Dump Cake. Determined to stay safe!

      Reply
  13. Argerta Downey-Haskins says:
    April 26, 2020 at 7:40 pm

    Can I use salted butter

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      April 26, 2020 at 7:54 pm

      Argerta, although I’ve never used salted butter in this recipe, my “guess” is yes. I’ve used salted butter in other cake recipes and they were good.

      Reply
      1. Katelynn says:
        May 21, 2020 at 8:10 pm

        Unfortunately the store only had salted butter so I’m giving it a try now! Very excited! Thanks for the easy recipe!

        Reply
        1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
          May 22, 2020 at 5:04 pm

          Katelynn, I’ve used salted butter a few times. Cake was still good. I hope you enjoy!

          Reply
  14. Dorrlyn says:
    May 31, 2020 at 5:57 pm

    Hello, I used pineapple but added a can of apple sauce and it turned out great. Bakrd an extra 5 minutes.

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      June 8, 2020 at 7:54 am

      Dorrlyn, that sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  15. Diana says:
    August 2, 2020 at 3:55 pm

    I’m making today.My bottle of vanilla extract was empty. All I had was Almond extract so I’m trying it.Fingers crossed.

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      August 2, 2020 at 6:28 pm

      Diana, although I’ve never tried the almond extract, I’m feeling like it should be a tasty alternative. I would love to know how it tastes. I’ve added it to my “TRY LIST.”

      Reply
  16. Rhonda says:
    August 11, 2020 at 11:19 am

    I’m going to try a little different technique, wish me luck. I’m going to drain the juice off the pineapple and replace it with coconut milk. Somebody in your comments has me yearning for a pina colada taste.

    Reply
  17. Bonnie says:
    October 13, 2020 at 2:25 pm

    This cake is in the oven. Made as directed but added chopped pecan over the pineapple. Can’t wait to taste. Need to get some ice cream. YUM!

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      October 25, 2020 at 6:36 am

      Hi Bonnie! I can imagine how good the chopped pecans are in this dessert. Thank you for sharing and for visiting my blog.

      Reply
  18. Pam says:
    November 6, 2020 at 3:43 pm

    Could I put some brown sugar in the bottom of pan then add the pineapple for a taste more like an upside down cake?

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      November 7, 2020 at 4:33 pm

      Hi Pam, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. Although I’ve never tried brown sugar, I must say Pineapple Upside Down Dump Cake sounds like a winner. The brown sugar combined with the yellow cake mix will be a bit sweet. I would sprinkle the juice of one lemon over the pineapples BEFORE sprinkling the cake mix on top. My “guess” is it will have a delicious sweet/tart flavor. I love to experiment. May give this one a try. Please visit again!

      Reply
  19. Lisa says:
    December 19, 2020 at 10:52 am

    Omggggg this is my first time making a dump cake and I have to tell you I am not disappointed whoever invented this God bless you !

    Reply
    1. Cornbread Millionaire says:
      December 23, 2020 at 12:11 pm

      Hi Lisa! Delighted you enjoyed my Pineapple Dump Cake! It’s one of THE most popular recipes on my blog. Thank you for visiting and leaving a wonderful compliment. I treasure God’s blessings! Please come again.

      Reply

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BevJanuary2021

Hi! I’m Beverly, cookbook author, recipe developer, and food blogger.  Here you’ll find 100+ easy and delicious recipes.   My collection includes southern classics with a twist and a variety of other tasty dishes you can make at home.  Read more about me here.

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