The Juiciest Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe – Sweet Tropical Magic

Pineapple dump cake crafts ordinary dessert-making into a delightful culinary adventure that anyone can master.

Simple ingredients come together with minimal effort to create a mouthwatering treat that defies traditional baking complexities.

This magical recipe breaks all the standard rules of complicated pastry preparation.

Soft, golden crumbs mingle with juicy fruit layers, promising a sensational taste experience that delights the senses.

Incredibly forgiving and wonderfully quick, this dessert welcomes both novice and experienced bakers into its delectable world.

Forget intricate techniques and complicated steps—this recipe champions ease and spontaneity in the kitchen.

Warm, comforting aromas will soon fill your home with irresistible sweetness.

What Makes Pineapple Dump Cake a Crowd Favorite

• Effortless Tropical Dessert: This pineapple dump cake transforms complex baking into a super simple process where you literally dump ingredients without precise measuring or complicated mixing techniques.
• Burst of Sweet-Tangy Flavor: Combining brown sugar's rich sweetness with pineapple's bright, tropical tang creates a delightful taste profile that dances playfully on your taste buds with minimal preparation.
• Quick Comfort Treat: With just 5 ingredients and under an hour of total time, this dessert delivers maximum satisfaction for busy home cooks craving a warm, homemade sweet without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Versatile Party Pleaser: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or impromptu dessert cravings, this cake adapts easily and serves a crowd while requiring minimal culinary skills to create a crowd-pleasing dish.

Pineapple Dump Cake Essentials

• Pineapple (Canned): Juicy tropical fruit that creates the moist foundation of the dessert, look for chunks or crushed variety for easier mixing.
• Brown Sugar: Adds rich caramel-like sweetness and helps create a delicious syrupy layer with the pineapple.

• Dry Cake Mix: Convenient base that transforms into a tender, golden topping, yellow or white cake mix works best.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a crispy, golden-brown cake top, use unsalted butter for better flavor control.

How to Bake Pineapple Dump Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 13×9-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Pineapple Base

Open the can of pineapple and pour the entire contents, including the juice, into the prepared baking dish. Spread the pineapple chunks evenly across the bottom.

Step 3: Add Sweet Layer

Sprinkle brown sugar generously over the pineapple, creating a delicious caramel-like foundation.

Step 4: Apply Cake Mix Topping

Carefully distribute the dry cake mix over the pineapple and brown sugar, ensuring complete and even coverage.

Step 5: Distribute Butter

• Softened butter
• Grater or knife

Grate or cut 3/4 of the butter into small pieces, completely covering the dry cake mix.

Step 6: Initial Baking

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes.

Step 7: Add Remaining Butter

Remove the cake from the oven. Grate or cut the remaining butter over any dry cake mix areas that look unmelted.

Step 8: Complete Baking

Return the cake to the oven and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top turns golden brown and crispy.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 15-20 minutes. The cake will set and become more stable as it cools. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips for the Best Pineapple Dump Cake

• Butter Distribution Magic: Grate butter evenly across the cake mix to ensure a perfectly moist and golden-brown top, preventing dry patches.
• Sugar Layering Technique: Spread brown sugar carefully to create a caramelized base that adds depth and richness to the pineapple dump cake.
• Moisture Control Trick: Add extra butter halfway through baking to cover any remaining dry cake mix, guaranteeing a consistently tender texture.
• Pineapple Precision: Use undrained canned pineapple to maintain optimal moisture and boost the fruity flavor throughout the dessert.
• Cooling Wisdom: Allow the dump cake to cool completely before serving, letting the flavors meld and the texture set for the most delicious results.

Storing and Reheating Pineapple Dump Cake

• Refrigeration: Store leftover pineapple dump cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping it fresh and delicious.
• Reheating Oven: Warm slices at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore the cake's crispy top and bring back its warm, comforting texture.
• Microwave Option: Quickly reheat individual servings for 20-30 seconds, ensuring the cake remains moist and enjoyable for a quick dessert treat.

Serving Suggestions for Pineapple Dump Cake

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: The sweet, tangy pineapple dump cake gets a luxurious upgrade with a scoop of cold, smooth vanilla ice cream. Creamy vanilla cuts through the cake's richness and provides a refreshing contrast.
• Complement with Coconut Rum Cocktail: A tropical-inspired rum cocktail with coconut notes perfectly matches the pineapple's tropical vibe. The drink's light, boozy essence enhances the cake's sweetness and brings out the dessert's sunny flavors.
• Serve with Whipped Cream and Toasted Coconut: Top the warm cake with fluffy whipped cream and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes for added texture and tropical flair. This combination creates a delightful balance of warmth, creaminess, and crunch that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Pineapple Dump Cake Flavor Twists

• Tropical Paradise Remix: Swap pineapple with a mix of mango and passion fruit for a Caribbean-inspired dessert that bursts with exotic flavors.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans and drizzle caramel sauce over the cake mix before baking, creating a rich and textured treat.
• Berry Bliss Edition: Replace pineapple with a combination of fresh strawberries and blueberries for a vibrant and summery dessert option.
• Coconut Dream Variation: Add shredded coconut on top of the cake mix and use coconut butter for an extra tropical and creamy finish.

Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Tropical paradise meets comfort dessert in this effortless pineapple dump cake. Quick Hawaiian-inspired layers combine sweet pineapple chunks with buttery cake mix, creating a simple yet irresistible treat perfect for summer gatherings or quick family desserts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Base Ingredients:

• 15.25 ounces (432 grams) yellow cake mix
• 1 stick (113 grams / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, frozen for easy grating

Fruit Ingredients:

• 2 20-ounce (567 grams) cans crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
• ½ cup (100 grams) light brown sugar

Optional Toppings:

• Maraschino cherries
• Whipped cream
• Vanilla ice cream

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 350° F and coat a 13×9-inch baking pan with butter to prevent sticking.
2. Create a fruity base by spreading the entire can of pineapple, including its juice, across the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Enhance the sweetness by sprinkling a layer of brown sugar evenly over the pineapple, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Distribute the dry cake mix uniformly across the pineapple and brown sugar layer, creating a smooth, even surface.
5. Strategically grate approximately three-quarters of the butter over the entire dry cake mix, allowing it to melt and infuse flavor during baking.
6. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring the progress midway through cooking.
7. During the halfway point, add the remaining butter by grating it over any remaining dry cake mix areas, ensuring complete moisture and preventing dry patches.
8. Continue baking until the top turns golden brown and the edges become slightly crisp.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the dump cake to cool completely, which helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
10. Slice and serve the cake warm or at room temperature, enjoying the caramelized pineapple and tender cake texture.

Notes

• This tropical dessert transforms simple ingredients into a moist, buttery cake with minimal effort.
• Perfect for beginner bakers who want a delicious dessert without complicated techniques.
• Grating butter helps create an even, golden-brown crust that melts into the pineapple layer.
• Can be served warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
• Leftovers stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when covered tightly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 230mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg