Description

This Pineapple Dump Cake is a simple and delightful dessert featuring crushed pineapple, pineapple rings, and maraschino cherries layered with yellow cake mix and melted butter, baked to a golden brown perfection. It offers a sweet tropical flavor with minimal prep and is perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as a comforting treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Pineapple Mixture

2 cans (20 oz each) crushed pineapple (in juice, undrained)
1 can (20 oz) pineapple rings (drained)
1 jar (6 oz) maraschino cherries
3 tablespoons lemon juice

Cake Topping

1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
8 tablespoons butter (salted, melted)
1/2 cup brown sugar

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
Layer Pineapple: Pour the undrained crushed pineapple into the prepared pan, ensuring an even layer, then drizzle the lemon juice evenly over the pineapple to add brightness and enhance the flavor.
Add Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the pineapple layer, avoiding clumps to allow even baking and absorption of juices.
Pour Butter: Drizzle the melted salted butter evenly over the cake mix, ensuring it moistens the cake mix thoroughly to create a crisp, golden crust while baking.
Top with Pineapple Rings and Cherries: Arrange the drained pineapple rings in rows on top of the buttered cake mix, then scatter the maraschino cherries over the pineapple rings for bursts of color and flavor.
Add Brown Sugar: Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top surface, which will caramelize during baking for added sweetness and texture.
Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 70 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly around the edges, indicating it’s fully cooked.
Cool and Serve: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving to let the layers set slightly for easier handling.

Notes

You can use fresh pineapple if preferred—drain well to avoid excess moisture.
For a richer taste, substitute salted butter with unsalted and add a pinch of salt in the batter.
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgence.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Make sure the cake mix is spread evenly for uniform baking and texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 70 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: pineapple dump cake, pineapple dessert, easy cake recipe, tropical dessert, yellow cake mix dessert, maraschino cherries cake