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This easy Pineapple Dump Cake recipe is truly the EASIEST dessert recipe you can make! Made with simple ingredients, you’ll love this pineapple dessert.

I love dump cakes because they’re a quick dessert that ANYONE can make! If you don’t enjoy baking (but love to eat delicious dessert), dump cake recipes like this pineapple dump cake are the absolute best.

A spoon scooping up pineapple dump cake from a casserole pan

Why is it called a “dump cake?” Well, because you “dump” the ingredients in the baking pan. No mixing required! Honestly, they’re the easiest, low maintenance dessert recipes you’ll find.

A classic dump cake involves fresh fruit or pie filling. The fruit filling is topped with a box of cake mix! Then, butter is poured or placed over the top of cake mix.

A photo of the bottom layer of pineapple dump cake - canned pineapple, brown sugar and cinnamon

The butter and cake mix combine and brown to make a cobbler like crust that tastes buttery. And, it gets a little help (and moisture) from the fruit layer, too. It is delicious!

Dump cakes are popular for good reason. They outkick their coverage when it comes to taste versus how much time they take.

A photo of pineapple dump cake in a small serving dish with ice cream on top

Recipe Substitutions

This delightful Pineapple Dump Cake recipe has simple ingredients. So, there are several substitutions you can make and still have an impressive dessert! Here are a few suggestions:

  • Substitute the vanilla cake mix for yellow cake mix or white cake mix.
  • You can substitute fresh pineapple for the pineapple chunks. I still recommend using the crushed canned pineapple. It combines with the brown sugar and keeps there from being too much liquid in the pan.
  • Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the pineapple mixture before baking.

If you have leftover pineapple to use up, I recommend making this delicious Pineapple Water!

a photo of pineapple cobbler in a casserole dish

Recipe Variations

There are plenty of ways to slightly change the flavor of this easy dessert recipe to suite your tastes!

  • Pineapple Upside Down Dump Cake Recipe: Add some maraschino cherries or a half of a can of cherry pie filling to the pineapple tidbits. It’s an easy way to make a great dessert that tastes like Pineapple Upside Down Cake!
  • Individual Dump Cakes: You can make individual portions using cruets or mini casserole dishes. Perfect for a more elegant serving situation!
  • Pineapple Foster Dump Cake: Double the brown sugar and add a splash of rum to the pineapple mixture.
  • Tropical Dump Cake: Work in tropical flavors by adding a handful of shredded coconut to the pineapple for extra flavor and texture.

Looking for a more elegant version of this recipe? I love this Amaretto Pineapple Upside Down Pound Cake.

an overhead photo of pineapple dump cake in a white cruet

Need another Easy Dump Cake Recipe? Check these out: Peach Dump Cake – Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake– Blueberry Dump Cake – Easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake – Blackberry Dump Cake

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm in a bowl with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream/whipped topping.

Storing Leftovers Pineapple Dump Cake

For storage, you can leave the dump cake on the counter at room temperature for up to one day. Cover the baking dish, or store in an airtight container.

After that, cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

I hope that you enjoy this easy pineapple dessert recipe! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turns out in the comments below.

A close up photo of pineapple dump cake in a dish topped with ice cream

Easy Pineapple Dump Cake

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Author: Michelle Goth
This easy Pineapple Dump Cake recipe is truly the EASIEST dessert recipe you can make! Made with simple ingredients, you’ll love this pineapple dessert.
4.95 from 55 ratings
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Ingredients
 

  • 20 ounces pineapple chunks, canned, drained
  • 20 ounces crushed pineapple, canned, do not drain
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 15.25 ounces vanilla cake mix, 1 box
  • 1 cup salted butter, melted (16 tablespoons)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Prepare a 9×13 cake pan with a light coating of cooking spray.
  • Spread both cans of the pineapple in the bottom of the baking dish and stir to combine.
  • Next, sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon over the pineapple mixture.
  • Then, sprinkle dry cake mix over the top of the pineapple in an even layer. Use a wooden spoon to smooth out the cake mix and remove any mounds that have formed.
  • Next, pour the melted butter over the top of the cake mix.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown, and the filling is bubbling.
  • Remove from the oven. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
  • Serve warm with a big scoop of ice cream or Cool Whip.

Notes

Instead of melting the butter, you can cut it into 1 tablespoon pats and place the butter slices evenly on top of the cake mix.
Serving: 1, Calories: 362kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 41mg, Sodium: 375mg, Potassium: 157mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 38g, Vitamin A: 520IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 108mg, Iron: 1mg
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