Pineapple Dump Cake

This delectable dish tastes like a cobbler, feeds a crowd, and is one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make.

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Cooking with kids isn’t exactly easy. Heck, cooking for kids isn’t easy either. But I find that baking is a different story. There’s something about it that kids really love (probably something to do with the fact that it yields a yummy sweet treat), which usually makes the process go more smoothly. Of course, the key is not to take on something overly technical with little ones. Picking an easy recipe ensures the activity is enjoyable for all involved. One shining example of this is this pineapple dump cake.

Dump cakes are so uncomplicated that you don’t even need to mix the ingredients together. In fact, when dump cakes started rising in popularity in the late 60s, some home bakers were so completely confused by the lack of mixing that they wrote to the recipe publishers to say they thought the recipe had been printed incorrectly! On top of the simple preparation method, you only need five ingredients to make this delicious dessert. The result is something that is more similar in taste and texture to a cobbler than a cake.

I’ve made this recipe with my niece and nephew a number of times, and they get a kick out of dumping the ingredients into a baking dish. But its simplicity also means it’s the perfect recipe for when you’re in a rush and still want to make something to serve for dessert, especially for a crowd. Kids and adults alike will love it, especially served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on the side.

Is Pineapple Dump Cake Healthy?

This recipe only requires a few ingredients, but those ingredients are favored more for their convenience than their freshness or health benefits. Therefore, this pineapple dump cake is not considered very healthy. Ingredients like sugar, cake mix, and canned pineapple contribute to a high calorie and high sugar content, while the butter contributes added fat. If you’re eating or serving this recipe, it’s important to be aware of how it fits into certain diets, but it’s also important to enjoy foods in moderation. I know that this recipe brings a lot of joy to my kitchen table, so I still opt to serve it alongside some healthier main dishes. You could make it gluten-free by using a gluten-free boxed cake mix, and you could also make it dairy-free by using a plant-based butter and dairy-free ice cream or whipped cream.

How Do I Ensure My Dump Cake Bakes Evenly?

If you want your pineapple dump cake to bake evenly, it’s important to use a 9×13-inch baking dish. This size dish best ensures that the ingredients are not too crowded but also not spread too thin, thus achieving the most even bake. It’s also important to fight the urge to mix the ingredients, even though it might feel counterintuitive to just plop them all into the pan. By not stirring the layers, you’ll be allowing the butter to melt into the cake naturally, which will create the desired texture for your pineapple dump cake.

FAQs & Tips

How Do I Store Leftovers?

If you have leftovers, you can keep them in the baking dish, covered tightly with plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to 1 day. For longer storage, you can store your leftovers the same way, or in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also store leftovers in the freezer by cutting the cake into individual pieces and wrapping them in a layer of plastic wrap, and then a layer of tin foil.

Can I Prep This Ahead?

Since this simple dessert comes together in such a short amount of time, there isn’t much prep work you can do ahead of time. If your pecans are whole, you can chop them in advance. Otherwise, you can bake the whole cake completely and store it at room temperature for up to 1 day before serving (or in the fridge for 4 days). I do find that this dish is best served warm, so if you do make it ahead, I would pop it back in the oven for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Can I Swap Pecans For A Different Nut?

If pecans aren’t your thing, I think the best substitute is walnuts. If you’re serving this dish to someone with a nut allergy, you can skip the pecans entirely. It shouldn’t affect the dish too much—it will just lack a bit of a crunchier texture.

Serving Suggestions

This pineapple dump cake is especially great for serving a crowd. It’s hard to beat just how easy this recipe is, but if you’re looking for other crowd-friendly recipes for main dishes, check out this Vegetable Lasagna, this Healthy Crock-Pot White Chicken Chili, or this Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper (a great kid-pleasing recipe, too).

Or, if you want to commit to the pineapple theme for the entire meal, have a look at this recipe for Chicken Pineapple Kabobs or this Huli Huli Chicken (a Hawaiian take on BBQ chicken).