This pineapple dump cake is an easy recipe for those days when you don’t have much time but you want a sweet treat. It’s also the perfect dessert after any meal! You’ll love the fact that this classic dessert is made with just a few simple ingredients.

I think it’s a good idea to read the entire post before you make the recipe. However, if you are in a time crunch, please either click on the jump-to-recipe button beneath the title above or quickly scroll to the bottom where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

This is the easiest but best pineapple dump cake I’ve ever had. Yet you only need a few ingredients to make this delicious dessert that will quickly become a family favorite.

It’s also good for when someone drops by unexpectedly since the ingredients are pantry stable. So all you have to do is keep them on hand for those times.

A variation of this delicious treat is a cherry pineapple dump cake. I’ll show how to make this later.

Familiar Sweet Treat

If this recipe seems familiar, that’s because it has some of the same ingredients as another favorite recipe: pineapple upside down cake. And that’s a good thing, right?

You only need a few ingredients to make this easy pineapple dump cake recipe, starting with a dry cake mix and crushed pineapple. A single can of pineapple is fine, but it’s better with two cans of fruit.

I like to include the pineapple juice for a moist dessert, but that’s completely up to you. Also, if you can’t find crushed pineapple, you can use pineapple chunks or rings that you chop or run through your food processor.

Or if you have an extra sweet tooth, choose pineapple in heavy syrup. The best part about this recipe is that you can alter the ingredients with your own creative twists to make it the way you like it. It’s fun to experiment.

Another thing I love about this recipe is that all of the ingredients are shelf stable. So you can stock up on them when they go on sale. It really doesn’t matter which brand of pineapple or cake mix you use to get great results!

Easy Pineapple Dump Cake Ingredients

The first time you make this, I recommend following what’s on the recipe card below. (Scroll down, and you’ll find it with the exact measurements and directions.) 

What makes this pineapple dump cake easy is the limited number of ingredients. You can also swap out other flavors of similar ingredients to make it your own.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this simple dessert recipe:

• Cans of crushed pineapple
• Yellow cake mix – either regular or gluten-free
• Pecan pieces – or other chopped nuts
• Melted butter
• Brown sugar

For exact measurements of each ingredient and full directions, go to the recipe card at the bottom of the page. You can even print out the card by using the “print” button.

If you have a white cake mix or angel food cake mix, go ahead and use that. It won’t change the flavor much.

The texture won’t change much if you make this dump cake with yellow cake mix or white cake mix. However, the angel food cake mix will give it more of a spongy texture.

For an extra tart taste, you might want to try making this with lemon cake mix. You’ll love the complexity of flavors as they blend so well.

Or if you have vanilla wafers, you can use them instead of a cake mix. Just make sure to crush them in a food processor first.

You can also make this a cherry pineapple dump cake recipe by substituting a can of cherry pie filling for one of the cans of pineapple. That’s it.

This is super easy, and the payoff is tremendous. If you don’t tell anyone how easy it is to make they’ll never know.

Or you can make a blueberry pineapple dump cake the same way. Simply swap out a can of blueberry pie filling for one of the cans of pineapple.

How to Make a Pineapple Dump Cake

This pineapple dump cake is such an easy but impressive dessert you might feel guilty for not spending more time on it. But don’t. Some of my all time favorites are the easiest desserts.  

Here is how you make this yummy dessert:

Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350˚ F. Spray the bottom of a baking pan, cake pan, or casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

You can also make pineapple dump cake in a dutch oven. That’s especially good when you double or triple the recipe for a larger crowd.

Pour both cans of crushed pineapple (with juice) into the baking dish.

Next, pour the dry cake mix over the top of the pineapple.

Make sure the cake mix is evenly distributed.

Scatter the pecan pieces over the top of the cake mix.

Now sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over everything.

The last thing to add is the melted butter.

Drizzle the melted butter evenly over all of the ingredients in the pan. The butter gives this dump cake a rich deliciousness that everyone will rave about.

Put the cake in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 55 minutes or until the pineapple starts to bubble up around the edges. The heat intensifies the pineapple flavor as it cooks.

Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for about half an hour before serving. It’s good when it’s slightly warmer than room temperature. But I like it cold too.

This pineapple dump cake with brown sugar topping is absolutely delicious. So much so that you’d better make enough for people to have seconds.

We enjoy eating it with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

We prefer vanilla ice cream. People have told me that it’s also good with butter pecan ice cream.

I’ve heard this called a pineapple upside down dump cake. Call it whatever you want, it’s delicious enough to serve for all special occasions … or no occasion at all.

Variations

If you want to use a slightly smaller cake pan, like one that’s 11″ x 7″, you need to add about 5 minutes cook time. It will come out thicker, but it’s still absolutely delicious!

Another thing I’ve done is use a different flavor of cake mix. I’m somewhat limited because I have to find one that’s gluten free. But it’s still fun to change things up once in a while.

You can also make an apple dump cake with a couple of cans of apple pie filling. Add some apple pie spice, and it is wonderful!

If you’re a peach lover, try making a peach dump cake. This is another one of my favorite desserts!

I plan to make a blueberry dump cake soon. I love blueberries, so I’m sure it’ll be wonderful!

I’ve heard that pineapple angel food dump cake is good. I made one with gluten-free angel food cake mix, and it had an odd texture that I didn’t care for. I’ve discovered that with some of the gluten-free mixes.

How Long Does a Dump Cake Last?

A dump cake can be stored in the refrigerator for 4 or 5 days. Either transfer it to an airtight container or cover it tightly in plastic wrap after it cools. Put it in the refrigerator and enjoy it when you crave something sweet.

If you don’t think you’ll be able to eat it that quickly, you can store it in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Before you eat it, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

To reheat it, put an individual portion into a bowl and cover it in a paper towel. Then heat it in the microwave on high for 30 seconds or until it gets as hot as you want it.

What to Serve with Your Delicious Dump Cake

If this is for an afternoon party, you might want to offer a variety of appetizers or snacks. We enjoy this delicious Chex party mix.

Another yummy treat to serve with this dessert is a bowl of roasted pecans.

Ranch flavored air fryer chickpeas are yummy at any get-together. They’re super easy to make, but they are quite impressive.

Try these amazing grilled pimento cheese portobello caps from Julia’s Simply Southern. This is an appetizer you’ll also want to keep on your potluck go-to list.

If you have access to fresh blueberries or strawberries, you can have a bowl of them next to the cake. They make a delicious and beautiful garnish to sprinkle over the whipped cream or ice cream.

This delightful pineapple dump cake is good after a meal of chicken and gravy with mashed potatoes. Everything is easy to make, but it tastes like you worked hard all day.

Another slow cooker meal is this yummy chicken pepper pot. Just toss the ingredients into the Crock Pot, walk away, and dinner will be ready in a few hours.

It’s also a delicious dessert after eating this beef and bean enchilada casserole. The sweetness offsets the spicy main part of the meal.

Serve a pineapple dump cake after a meal of smothered potatoes and sausage. You, your family, and your guests will all leave the table satisfied and smiling.

If you like easy recipes, you’ll love this 3-ingredient Ro-Tel chili. All you need to add is a basket of chips, and you have a delicious meal that doesn’t take much time.

Whether you serve it after a family dinner or save it for special occasions, this will quickly become one of your favorite treats.

If I had room in my kitchen, I’d love to set up a fun baking station like this one. Maybe one of these days!

More Yummy Desserts

Whether you’re adding sweets to a dessert table or enjoy having a variety of desserts, you’ll enjoy some of these recipes below.

They’re all easy because that’s just what I do. I make things easy so you have time to enjoy the rewards.

Caramel Crunch Bars – This is a no-bake dessert that is always a huge hit at friend and family gatherings! And since I enjoy chocolate, I drizzled a little over the bars. So good!

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars – If you like peanut butter as much as I do, you’ll love these delicious no-bake bars!

Oreo Pudding Pie – Make this delicious no-bake dessert and watch it disappear!

Lemon Bars – These lemon bars only have 3 ingredients. You can top them with whatever you like, or you can enjoy them without anything on them.

M&M Cheerio Bars – This is a perfect sweet treat when you’re entertaining children. They’re colorful, fun, and oh-so yummy!

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