This delectable dish tastes like a cobbler, feeds a crowd, and is one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make.
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 I’m 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. I’ve made it gluten-free by using a gluten-free boxed cake mix, and I’ve also made 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.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
If I have leftovers, I keep them in the baking dish, covered tightly with plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to 1 day. For longer storage, I store my 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.
Serving Suggestions
This pineapple dump cake is especially great for serving a crowd, and my family loves it. 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).
Ingredients
- 2 cans crushed pineapple 20 ounces each, undrained
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 box yellow cake mix 15.25 ounces
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pour the crushed pineapple with its juice evenly into the baking dish. Sprinkle the pecans and then the brown sugar evenly over the pineapple, and then sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly on top.
- Slowly drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until the top is golden and the pineapple is bubbling.
- Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes before serving with optional ice cream or whipped cream.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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