Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

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Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake is an easy 6-ingredient cake, with cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, and cake mix, which is more like a cherry cobbler than a cake.

What is a Dump Cake?

A Dump Cake is an easy Dessert Recipe that gets its name from the fact that you “dump” all ingredients into one baking pan and bake it. Most Dump Cake Recipes, like my Strawberry Dump Cake, and Blueberry Dump Cake, include only 3 ingredients: cake mix, canned pie filling, and butter.

In this case, however, we dump the cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, cake mix, and coconut and walnuts in a 9×13 baking dish. It could not be any easier. It is perfect for a party, for game day, or for a picnic, or any time you have a crowd to feed.

What Makes This Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe Work?

This recipe works because it requires only a few simple ingredients and one baking dish, and that’s it. All the ingredients you may already have in your pantry or can easily find at most grocery stores. In addition, it includes step by step instructions and photos to visualize each step, as well as recipe tips to help ensure your success in making this recipe.

What Do I Need To Make Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake?

This recipe requires only 4 ingredients and has an optional 2 ingredients to really take it over the top. See the picture below for the ingredients and brands that I used to make this recipe. For the base recipe, you will need 2 cans of cherry pie filling, 1 can of crushed pineapple, 1 yellow cake mix, and 1 stick of butter (not pictured below). For the equipment, you will need 1 9×13 baking dish. The two optional ingredients are chopped walnuts and sweetened flaked coconut. 

For the specific amounts of each ingredient, scroll down to the bottom of the blog post, just above the comments, to the printable recipe card.

How To Make Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

OK. Try really hard not to laugh at these ridiculously simple instructions. It is so easy that if my dog had thumbs, he could make it.

• Dump 2 cans of cherry pie filling into a 9×13 baking dish.
• Dump 1 can of crushed pineapple over the top of the cherries. Try to add it evenly over all the cherries.
• Sprinkle the yellow cake mix evenly over the top of the cherries and pineapple. Spread it out evenly. 
• Sprinkle sweetened flaked coconut and chopped walnuts or pecan over the top. (This is optional.)
• Pour melted butter over the top.

How Long Do I Bake The Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake?

• Bake the Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake in a preheated 350-degree F. oven for approximately 45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling on the sides. NOTE: Different ovens can vary in temperature. So be sure and test yours. It is possible that for some, it could take as little as 35 minutes or for some people, it could take up to an hour. Start checking it at 35 minutes.

How to Serve Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

• Serve Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake with either whipped cream, Cool Whip or ice cream or just by itself. It is delicious on its own.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Be sure to use real butter as this generates the best results. It helps to get that beautiful golden brown, crunchy topping.
• When pouring the melted butter over the top of the cake mix, be sure to cover all the cake mix as possible to avoid getting dry spots.
• For each layer of ingredients, be sure to spread them out as evenly as possible.
• After dumping the cake mix on top, be sure to spread out evenly across the top. It is important for this layer to be the same thickness throughout. That will allow the cake to cook evenly throughout.
• If you prefer, go ahead and stir the pineapple together with the cherries. That will work well also. It is just a matter of preference. 
• Try to prevent the coconut from clumping together. Try to spread it as evenly as possible. If clumps of coconut are sticking up well above the cake mix, that coconut may overcook before the rest of the cake is ready.
• When the cake is baking, start checking it at 35 minutes to see if the topping has turned golden brown and the filling has started bubbling. Then I recommend checking it every 5 to 10 minutes after that to see if it is ready.

What To Serve With This Recipe

This recipe can serve as a delicious dessert for any meal you would like to serve. I recommend serving it when you have several people at dinner because it makes a lot.

To serve with the Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake, I recommend topping it with whipped cream, or ice cream. You could also sprinkle more coconut or walnuts if you like.

Does This Cake Need To Be Refrigerated?

• This Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake is intended to be served warm. However, if you have leftovers, you can refrigerate and then reheat individual servings in the microwave.

How Long Does Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Last?

• Not very long around our house. I would not expect to have many leftovers if you have a fairly large group.
• It can last up to 4 days if it is stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Can I Freeze This Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake?

• If you freeze this cake, the topping may get soggy because it is more like a cobbler than a cake. I would not recommend freezing this cake.

More Dump Cakes

Below are more dump cakes that you can make. By varying the fruit pie filling, you can make a wide variation of dump cakes.

• Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
• Blueberry Dump Cake
• Strawberry Dump Cake
• Apple Dump Cake
• Rhubarb Dump Cake 
• Pumpkin Walnut Crunch Cake
• Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
• Cherry Almond Pie

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