Nostalgic, Buttery, and Crowd-Pleaser Delicious
This Cherry Dump Cake is the definition of a no-fuss, high-reward dessert. With just a few ingredients — cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, white cake mix, and cold butter — this recipe bakes into a golden, bubbling, buttery masterpiece.
Dump cakes are a beloved shortcut in Southern kitchens: simple, comforting, and perfect for potlucks, holidays, or last-minute sweet cravings. This cherry version delivers bright fruity flavor under a crisp, buttery cake topping that tastes like a cobbler and a crumble rolled into one.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (42 oz total) cherry pie filling
- ½ can (about 10 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 box white cake mix (18.25 oz)
- 1½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and sliced
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Layer the Fruit
- In a 9×13 baking dish, spread cherry pie filling evenly.
- Add the crushed pineapple, spreading to cover the cherries.
3. Add the Cake Mix
- Sprinkle the dry white cake mix evenly over the fruit layer.
- Do NOT mix — this is what gives dump cake its signature texture.
4. Add the Butter
- Cut cold butter into thin slices and lay them across the top of the cake mix.
- Make sure the surface is covered so the cake mix melts evenly.
5. Bake
- Bake at 350°F for 45–50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling around the edges.
6. Serve
- Let cool slightly before serving.
- Enjoy warm as is — or top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Pro Tips & Serving Suggestions
- Use real butter: Margarine won’t give the same rich topping.
- Want extra texture? Add chopped pecans or walnuts before baking.
- Swap the fruit: Try blueberry, apple, strawberry, or peach pie filling.
- More crisp edges: Bake a bit longer until deep golden brown.
About the Creator
This easy and delicious recipe is shared by Kelley Wansley Harris, the creative home cook behind @its_me_kellz. Kelley’s kitchen style brings together simplicity, comfort, and big family-style flavor — making her Cherry Dump Cake the perfect dessert for gatherings, celebrations, or sweet moments at home.
Kelley Wansley Harris | @its_me_kellz