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A freshly baked pineapple dump cake with a golden buttery topping and visible pineapple layers in a baking dish. This image highlights the final texture and color of the dessert.

Pineapple Dump Cake

Olivia Carter
this pineapple dump cake is your lazy tropical dream – just dump canned pineapple, cake mix, brown sugar, and butter in a pan, no mixing needed. Bakes up gooey and buttery like a cobbler, perfect for potlucks or when you're feeling zero-effort vibes.
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10 minutes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Cooling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
COST Around $9.50 total
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword dump cake
Servings 12 servings
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13 baking dish
  • oven
  • a fork for poking around

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cans crushed pineapple ~40 oz total
  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 6 oz jar maraschino cherries

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350-375°F (175-190°C). Grease your 9x13 dish – quick swipe.
  • Dump in that pineapple juice and all, spread it evenly, and hit it with brown sugar.
    Crushed pineapple evenly spread in a baking dish before adding cake mix. This step forms the juicy base of pineapple dump cake.
  • Shower on the dry cake mix – even layer, no stirring, maybe toss cherries if you're fancy.
    Cake Mix Layer Added
  • Melt or slice butter to cover EVERYTHING – no dry spots, or it's powdery city.
    Butter slices covering cake mix completely to ensure even browning and moisture during baking.
  • Bake 45-55 mins till golden and bubbly. Cool a bit – then dig in warm.
    Pineapple dump cake baking in the oven with a golden top and bubbling edges, indicating doneness.

Notes

  • Butter coverage is key – skip it and the top stays sad and powdery.
  • Fridge leftovers up to 5 days; reheat to crisp 'em up. Too juicy for counter life.
  • Born in the '60s American "dump" craze – beginner-proof potluck gold.

NUTRITION (per slice, 1/12): 

  • 320 calories
  • 12g fat
  • 6g sat)
  • 52g carbs
  • 28g sugars
  • 2g protein