Sweet, fruity, and irresistibly easy, Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake combines cherries, pineapple, and a buttery cake topping for a no-fuss dessert everyone will love. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion.

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake on a white plate.
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Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake is a simple dessert that combines sweet cherries, tangy pineapple, and a buttery cake topping. It’s perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or any occasion where you want a delicious treat without spending hours in the kitchen. With minimal ingredients and maximum flavor, this cake is always a crowd-pleaser.

It is so easy and we also love Blueberry Dump Cake Recipe, Cherry Dump Cake and these 22 Easy Dump Cake Recipes. I promise they are easy enough for busy moms!

If you love pineapple, also try Pineapple Dream Dessert.

Why I Love This Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

  • Versatile – Serve warm with toppings or enjoy it on its own for a simple, satisfying treat.
  • So Easy to Make – Minimal prep and ingredients mean you can have a delicious dessert ready in no time.
  • Sweet and Fruity – The combination of cherries and pineapple creates a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
  • Crowd-Pleaser – Everyone loves this dessert, making it ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or parties.
  • Buttery, Crispy Topping – The cake topping bakes golden and crunchy, adding a wonderful texture contrast to the soft fruit.

Ingredients

  • Crushed Pineapple with juice – The juice keeps the cake moist and flavorful.
  • Cherry Pie Filling – You can use store-bought or Homemade Cherry Pie Filling.
  • Yellow Cake Mix – Any favorite brand will work for the buttery cake topping.
  • Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and helps create a golden, crispy topping.

Get the complete ingredient list at the bottom in the recipe card.

Variations

  • Different Cake Mix Flavors: Swap yellow cake mix for white cake or even chocolate cake for a fun twist on the classic.
  • Other Pie Fillings: Try apple, blackberry, strawberry, blueberry, or peach pie fillings for a new flavor combination.
  • Add Nuts: Mix in chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, before baking for extra texture and flavor.
  • Mix-Ins: Add shredded coconut, chocolate chips, or even crushed cookies to the fruit mixture for added indulgence.
  • Pineapple Options: Use pineapple tidbits instead of crushed pineapple for a chunkier, more textured dessert.
  • Layering: For a layered version, try alternating the fruit mixture and cake mix for a more defined topping.
  • Spices: Sprinkle a little cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice into the cake mix for a warm, cozy flavor.

Step By Step Instructions

  • Step 1. Prepare Oven for baking – First, preheat oven to 350º degrees F.
Pineapple in baking dish.

Step 2. Pour in crushed pineapple in the baking dish.

Dry cake mix sprinkled on top.

Step 3. Add in cherry pie filling over the pineapple and spread evenly with a spoon.

Butter slices on cake pan.

Step 4. Sprinkle the yellow dry cake mix on top of the cherry pie filling. Chop the stick of butter into small slices of butter. It should be 8 tablespoons. Place layers of butter evenly across the top of the cake mix.

Cake baked and ready to serve.

Step 5. Place the cake pan in oven. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until topping is slightly browned. Cool and enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

FAQs

How do you know when dump cakes are done?

Dump cakes do not contain any raw eggs. All the ingredients are cooked so you are basically heating everything up. The butter melts and mixed with the dry cake mix to make the perfect crust.

I usually check the dump cake around 40 minutes and you want your crust to be a golden brown. I like my crust to be very crispy, so I tend to cook a little longer.

How to Make the Best Dump Cake?

This dump cake is so easy to make. When we are placing each ingredient in the pan, I make sure that all ingredients are spread evenly in the entire pan. I usually use a spatula to spread it out but not mixing the ingredients together.

This is the key to making sure that each bite has all the ingredients. The crispy cake topping crust from the melted butter is my favorite.

Do you have to refrigerate cherry dump cake?

Placing leftovers in the fridge will extend the life of the cherry dump cake. Make sure it is covered completely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator.

If we are finishing up the leftovers the next day, I would leave it out at room temperature.

How to reheat?

If you are just wanting to reheat a small portion, the microwave will work. If you need to reheat the entire cake, put in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.

Close up image of cherry pineapple dump cake on a white plate.

Pro Tips

  • Drain Slightly if Needed: If using canned pineapple, drain just a little to prevent the cake from becoming too soggy, but keep enough juice for moistness.
  • Even Topping: Spread the cake mix evenly over the fruit to ensure a golden, crispy top.
  • Use a Glass or Ceramic Baking Dish: These materials help the cake bake evenly and brown nicely.
  • Check for Doneness: The cake topping should be golden brown and slightly firm; the fruit will be bubbly around the edges.
  • Cool Slightly Before Serving: Let the cake rest for 10–15 minutes to allow the fruit juices to settle for cleaner slices.

Try More Easy Dump Cake Recipes

Whip up this Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake for a quick, fruity, and irresistible dessert! Share your creations in the comments, rate the recipe, and try experimenting with different cake flavors, pie fillings, or mix-ins to make it your own. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for something sweet!

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake on a white plate.

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

4.82 from 11 votes
Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe has just 4 ingredients and takes absolutely no effort at all. Make this in minutes for the easiest dessert.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 12
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 311

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Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350º degrees F.
  • Dump one 20 oz. can of crushed pineapple with juice in a 9×13 baking dish.
  • Dump one 21 oz. can of cherry pie filling over pineapple and spread evenly.
  • Take one box of yellow cake mix and evening spread cake mix over the cherry pie filling.
  • Chop up on stick of butter into small squares and spread evenly across cake mix.
  • Place baking dish in oven for 35-45 minutes or until topping is slightly browned.
  • Wait till it cools and dive in.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 311kcal, Carbohydrates 57g, Protein 2g, Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 6g, Cholesterol 20mg, Sodium 390mg, Potassium 131mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 25g, Vitamin A 361IU, Vitamin C 6mg, Calcium 106mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Desserts on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you create delicious desserts on a budget and do not require a ton of time. Together, we are going to make something sweet that the entire family will love!

4.82 from 11 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Melanie says:

    5 stars
    I have noticed that some dump cakes recipes uses melted butter and some use sliced butter in small cubes – not melted. What is the difference does it make in using the two different style of butters on a particular dump cake recipe? OR does it make a difference in baking or the cake mix used???

    1. Carrie says:

      It doesn’t make a difference – Atleast not from what I found. I like it both ways.