Classic Pineapple Dump Cake-just the perfect dessert that melds easy-peasy with the yummy tropical flavor of pineapple. This works amazingly for anyone who wants a treat in a breeze without too much fuss but still with loads of flavor.
This dump cake is super easy to whip up-be it an absolute newbie in the kitchen or one who has been cooking for forever-and it’s well worth it in the end.
That’s really great for just super chill hangouts, family dinners, or as a nice little treat after a really hectic day. If you love easy, no-fuss desserts, be sure to check out more dump cake recipes on Pinterest for even more inspiration!
Why This Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe Stands Out
This cake, therefore, takes its base in the pineapple layer, adding up in moistures and giving enough zest in every slice. Addition of pineapple with its juice ensures that the cake would turn out pretty moist and yummy while baking.
It has a top layer made from yellow cake mix, mixed with melted butter into this crispy, golden crust-looking thing that’s awesome against the softness of the pineapple underneath. All those textures together, every single bite is super satisfying and really different.
Effortless Preparation
The coolest thing about this dump cake is how easy it is to make: a few ingredients, super-easy steps, and voilà. You’ve got one that feels homemade and super-indulgent without all the hassles of regular baking.
Versatile and Adaptable
You can totally play with this recipe right down to your liking or whatever you might have on hand. Be it canned pineapple for ease or fresh to really bring out the flavor, even so, the cake will be delicious. Wanting it a bit sweeter or mildly spiced- your call with addition of sugar, cinnamon, or powdered sugar.
Nutritional Profile and Serving Suggestions
Caloric Consideration
It is rich-remember that with all the butter and sugar-so one needs to be aware of that. This cake, eaten now and again as part of a good, balanced diet, lets you have your cake and eat it responsibly.
Perfect Pairings
Serve with warm vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, which would contrast with those tropical flavors. Along with a side of hot coffee or tea, this would be the ideal dessert for any evening when the outside temperatures are chilly.
How to Serve and Preserve
Serving Tips
This cake is best enjoyed warm for flavor and texture, so if you have baked it in advance, then a quick heating up in the oven helps to bring back the warmth and crispy top.
Storage Solutions
Leftover cake can be covered and stored at room temperature for a day, refrigerated for as long as three days, or if longer storage is needed, then wrap well and freeze: thaw at ro
Celebrate Simplicity with Flavor
The Classic Pineapple Dump Cake exemplifies how simple baking can create a dessert that’s both heartwarming and flavorful. With minimal ingredients and no fuss, this cake easily delivers a burst of sweetness and comfort. It brings a sense of joy to any meal, adding a delicious finish with its timeless flavors.
Embrace the ease of this dessert, allowing its simplicity to shine on your table.
Looking for more delicious, no-fuss desserts? Try my Pear Dump Cake Recipe or indulge in the rich flavors of a Cherry Dump Cake.
How to Make Pineapple Dump Cake?
Course: Cake Ideas12
servings5
minutes30
minutes320
kcalIngredients
1 can (20 oz) of crushed pineapple (or 2 cups of fresh pineapple, finely chopped)
1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted
Optional: ¼ cup sugar (if using fresh pineapple)
Optional: 1 teaspoon cinnamon or powdered sugar for topping
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch ceramic or glass baking dish.
- Prepare the pineapple:
If using canned pineapple, pour the entire can (with juice) into the bottom of the baking dish.
If using fresh pineapple, evenly spread 2 cups of pineapple in the dish. For a sweeter result, sprinkle ¼ cup of sugar over the pineapple. - Add the cake mix:
For the traditional version, sprinkle the entire box of dry cake mix evenly over the pineapple layer.
For an optional variation, you can first sprinkle half of the cake mix on the pineapple, then the other half on top after adding butter. - Pour the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix. Make sure the butter covers most of the surface for a crispy, golden topping.
- Pour the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix. Make sure the butter covers most of the surface for a crispy, golden topping.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy. The pineapple juices should be bubbling around the edges.
- Cool slightly before serving. For extra presentation, you can dust the top with powdered sugar or add a sprinkle of cinnamon.
One can of pineapple doesn’t sound like enough, I love pineapple, so I’m going to use two cans. Fingers crossed that it will come out great!
Your love for pineapple is going to make this extra flavorful! Just a heads-up—using two cans will add a lot more moisture, which could make the cake a bit softer in the center. If you like a firmer texture, you might want to drain a little of the juice or add an extra sprinkle of cake mix to balance it out. Either way, it should still be delicious! Let me know how it turns out! 😊
Came out tasting just ok. I’ve had much better.
It was flat as a pancake and I was embarrassed to serve it. So I dumped it into serving dishes. I guess that’s where the word “dump” came from!
I’m sorry the dump cake missed the mark for you, Cheryl. A couple things can make it feel flat: if the butter doesn’t cover most of the mix, the topping stays dry instead of crisping and lifting. Next time, try dotting cold butter slices evenly over the dry mix or giving the top a quick stir so every crumb is moistened. If you used pineapple packed in heavy syrup, the extra liquid can weigh the cake down; draining half the juice or baking five minutes longer usually helps. You might also fold a teaspoon of baking powder into the dry mix for added lift. I hope these tweaks bring back the wow factor.
What’s best , pineapple in it’s natural juice or using pineapple in heavy syrup ?
Hey Susie, great question. I usually stick with pineapple in its own juice — it keeps the flavor fresh and not too sweet. If you go with heavy syrup, it’ll still work but it’ll lean richer, so I’d skip any added sugar. Totally depends on what you’re going for. I’ve tried both, and honestly, you can’t really mess it up with this one
Tried this today and it’s not very good. It didn’t rise at all. Just flat. I used the optional method which left a lot of dry mix. The flavor was passable but barely. I will not try this recipe again.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the honest feedback. It sounds like the dry mix didn’t get enough moisture, which can definitely happen with the optional method, especially if using fresh pineapple without much juice. The butter needs to be spread really evenly or some spots stay dry and flat.
This recipe can be a bit particular with layering, and I’ll revisit the instructions to make that clearer. I appreciate you giving it a shot and sharing your experience.