If you’re looking for simple desserts that taste like they took hours to make, you’ve just found your new best friend—the dump cake. These cakes are called “dump” cakes for a reason: you literally dump the ingredients into a baking dish, bake, and enjoy. No fancy mixing, no endless steps, and definitely no stress.
In this article, we’ll walk through 5 dump cakes recipes easy enough for beginners, yet delicious enough to serve at family gatherings, potlucks, or even a cozy weekend treat. Each recipe uses minimal ingredients (often just cake mix, pie filling, and butter) but delivers maximum flavor.
Why You’ll Love Dump Cakes
Before jumping into the recipes, here’s why dump cakes have become so popular:
- Effortless prep – Just layer ingredients and bake.
- Budget-friendly – Most recipes use only 3 to 5 ingredients.
- Versatile – You can swap flavors depending on the season.
- Crowd-pleasing – Everyone loves a warm, gooey dessert.
- Perfect for beginners – No baking skills required.
Now, let’s dive into the 5 dump cakes recipes easy enough to master today.
1. Classic Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
This is one of the original dump cake recipes that has stood the test of time. Sweet cherries pair perfectly with tangy pineapple for a fruity, buttery dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple (with juice)
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, sliced into thin pats
- Optional: chopped pecans or shredded coconut for topping
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Spread cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom.
- Pour crushed pineapple (with juice) on top.
- Sprinkle dry yellow cake mix evenly over fruit.
- Place butter slices across the top to cover.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let cool slightly and serve warm, ideally with vanilla ice cream.
Why it works: The pineapple juice blends with the cherries to create a sweet and tangy filling, while the cake mix and butter form a golden, crumbly topping.
2. Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake
This warm and cozy dessert is like apple pie in cake form—perfect for fall or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (21 oz each) apple pie filling
- 1 box spice cake mix (or yellow cake mix + 2 tsp cinnamon)
- 1 stick unsalted butter, thinly sliced
- Optional: chopped walnuts or caramel drizzle
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a baking dish.
- Spread apple pie filling evenly across the bottom.
- Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the apples.
- Lay butter slices on top to cover.
- Bake 40–45 minutes until golden.
- Cool slightly before serving.
Serving tip: Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
3. Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
Peach lovers, this one’s for you. Juicy canned peaches make this recipe taste like a Southern cobbler without the effort.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (15 oz each) sliced peaches in syrup
- 1 box yellow or white cake mix
- 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- Optional: ground cinnamon for dusting
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Pour peaches and syrup into your baking dish.
- Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly on top.
- Drizzle melted butter across the surface.
- Sprinkle cinnamon if desired.
- Bake 40–45 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Why you’ll love it: The juicy peaches soften beautifully under the buttery cake topping, creating a melt-in-your-mouth cobbler-like dessert.
4. Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
If you’re a chocolate lover, this is the dump cake for you. The rich cocoa flavor pairs beautifully with tart cherries.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 stick butter, sliced
- Optional: chocolate chips or chopped pecans
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spread cherry pie filling across the baking dish.
- Sprinkle chocolate cake mix evenly over the top.
- Arrange butter slices evenly across the surface.
- Add chocolate chips for extra richness.
- Bake 45–50 minutes until the topping is set.
Serving idea: Top with whipped cream or a scoop of chocolate ice cream.
5. Strawberry Cream Cheese Dump Cake
This version adds a creamy twist with cream cheese and strawberries—a cheesecake-like flavor without the hassle.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (21 oz each) strawberry pie filling
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 1 stick butter, sliced
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
- Optional: fresh strawberries for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spread strawberry pie filling into the dish.
- Dot softened cream cheese evenly across the filling.
- Sprinkle cake mix over the top.
- Arrange butter slices evenly.
- Bake 40–45 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Serve warm with fresh strawberries or whipped cream.
Why it works: The cream cheese melts into the strawberries, creating a rich, creamy filling under the buttery cake topping.
Tips for Making the Best Dump Cakes
- Use cold butter: Thinly sliced butter ensures even coverage and prevents dry spots.
- Don’t mix the layers: The magic happens when the cake mix and fruit bake together.
- Try different cake mixes: Swap yellow for white, chocolate, or spice cake depending on flavor.
- Experiment with fillings: Any canned pie filling works—blueberry, blackberry, lemon, or pumpkin.
- Add crunch: Nuts, coconut, or oats sprinkled on top add texture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I make dump cake ahead of time?
Yes! Bake, cool, and refrigerate. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Q: Do I have to use canned fruit?
Not always. Fresh or frozen fruit can work, but canned pie filling ensures the right texture.
Q: Can dump cakes be made in a slow cooker?
Absolutely. Layer ingredients in your slow cooker, cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
Q: How long does dump cake last?
Stored in the fridge, dump cake lasts about 3–4 days.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for easy 5 dump cakes recipes easy, these options give you the perfect starting point. From fruity classics like cherry pineapple to indulgent chocolate cherry, each recipe delivers flavor with almost no effort. The beauty of dump cakes is their flexibility—you can mix and match fillings and cake mixes to create endless variations.
Whether you’re planning for a party, a family dinner, or a late-night craving, these dump cake recipes will satisfy your sweet tooth with minimal prep.
So grab your favorite pie filling, cake mix, and butter—because dessert doesn’t get any easier (or more delicious) than this!