Pineapple Dump Cake

This super simple recipe for Pineapple Dump Cake is the ultimate shortcut dessert! With just 5 ingredients (one of them is a box of cake mix), you’ll have a sweet, tropical, buttery treat ready in just about an hour.

I often enjoy making cakes from scratch, but there are plenty of times in life when I just don’t have the time. That’s where this easy Pineapple Dump Cake recipe comes in handy.

Unlike a traditional cake recipe, this cobbler-like dessert comes together with less than 10 minutes of hands-on time. It also uses zero mixing bowls and not a single whisk or mixer. You won’t even need a spoon!

Dump cakes are exactly what the name implies: you just dump (or carefully sprinkle) each ingredient into the pan and then bake. It’s SO easy!

The tropical flavor of pineapple really shines in this recipe, making it perfect for summertime or any time that you need it to feel a bit more like summertime.

For more tasty pineapple treats, check out my Pineapple Dream Dessert, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, and Hawaiian Banana Bread with pineapple and coconut.

Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe Highlights

• Minimal Ingredients – My pineapple dump cake recipe uses just five ingredients, and most of them are shelf-stable shortcuts. If you keep a box of cake mix and some canned pineapple on hand, you’ll be able to make this recipe whenever the mood strikes!
• A Breeze to Bake – A dump cake, by definition, is a dessert that doesn’t require any stirring or mixing. You’ll add the ingredients to the baking dish in a certain order, and they will bake together to create the perfect pineapple cake.
• Perfect for Sharing—This dump cake is a “scoopable” dessert that makes about 10 servings. Make this recipe to bring to a potluck, BBQ, or summer holiday party.

Ingredients In Pineapple Dump Cake

Here’s everything that you’ll need to make this easy shortcut dessert:

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

• Cake Mix: You’ll need one standard package of yellow cake mix for this recipe. This buttery cake mix flavor is slightly different than white cake mix or vanilla cake, but you can use either of those dry cake mix flavors, too.
• Pineapple: Two cans of crushed pineapple in juice form the tropical base layer for this easy dessert. If you can’t find crushed pineapple, you can also use pineapple tidbits, just chop them up a bit first.
• Brown Sugar: This adds extra warm sweetness to the dump cake.
• Butter: Melted unsalted butter mixes with the cake mix to create a crispy, browned topping.
• Pecans: Chopped pecans add the perfect amount of crunch! Start with raw nuts, they’ll toast as the cake bakes in the oven.

Need more dessert recipes that start with a box of cake mix? Try my Cake Mix Cookie Bars, Earthquake Cake Recipe, or Funfetti Cake Batter Dip!

How To Make Pineapple Dump Cake with Cake Mix

This recipe relies on layering the ingredients in the baking pan in a specific order. Start by preheating the oven to 350°F (180°C) or 160°C if using a fan oven and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Recipe Tips

• Sprinkle everything as evenly as possible. Since we’re not doing any stirring or mixing in this pineapple dump cake recipe, it’s important to spread everything out in the pan as you go.
• Don’t like nuts? It’s ok, you can skip them!
• Adjust the flavor. Replace one can of crushed pineapple with a can of cherry or apple pie filling to make a new fruity sweet treat. Cherry dump cake is delicious, and cherry pineapple dump cake sounds amazing! You might also like my Peach Dump Cake Recipe.
• If you want to make clean slices, you’ll need to chill the dump cake in the fridge for at least an hour. I think it’s much better served warm and scooped into bowls, though!

Storing Tips

Leftover dump cake can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap.

You can enjoy leftover pineapple dump cake cold, let it come to room temperature, or warm it up slightly in the microwave before enjoying it.

How to Serve Pineapple Dump Cake

This easy dump cake is at its best served slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The ice cream will melt slightly and create a lovely creamy topping for the pineapple dessert.

Once you’ve removed the cake from the oven, allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes, or it will be much too hot to enjoy.

If you don’t have ice cream, try it with fresh whipped cream or Cool Whip instead!

Recipe FAQs

How do you make a dump cake without a cake mix?

I haven’t tested this myself, but I’ve heard that you can substitute a couple of cups of crushed vanilla wafers to make a very similar dessert.

Remember that this recipe works with any vanilla-flavored cake mix, so try yellow cake, butter cake, French vanilla, or angel food cake mix. Use whatever you have in the pantry!

Do I have to add the extra brown sugar?

I love the warmth that brown sugar adds to this recipe, but the dump cake will still be plenty sweet if you decide to omit it.

Can I make dump cake with crushed pineapple in syrup?

Yes, you can! If your crushed pineapple is in syrup rather than in juice, you’ll definitely want to skip the extra sugar since the pineapple will already be so sweet.

With just 5 ingredients, you can make this delicious Pineapple Dump Cake to share with your family and friends! Grab a few cans of crushed pineapple the next time you’re at the store so that you’re ready to bake.