This Cherry Pineapple Cheesecake Dump Cake is the perfect solution for when you need a crowd-pleasing dessert with minimal effort. It combines the tropical sweetness of pineapple with the classic brightness of maraschino cherries, all tucked under a buttery, golden cake crust.
Featuring a soft, fruity base and a slightly crunchy, caramelized topping, this dessert is a warm and comforting treat that pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A vibrant blend of sweet pineapple and tart cherries, enriched by a rich, buttery cake layer and a hint of molasses from brown sugar.
- Textures: A juicy, tender fruit bottom topped with a golden, crumbly cake crust that offers a delightful crunch.
- Total Time: 5 minutes of prep followed by 60 minutes of baking time.
- Difficulty: Very Easy. This “dump and bake” method requires no mixing bowls or complicated techniques.
What You’ll Need
To create this simple dessert, you will rely on convenient pantry staples like canned pineapple tidbits and a box of yellow or white cake mix. Maraschino cherries add a festive pop of color and sweetness, while melted butter and a sprinkle of light brown sugar create the signature caramelized crust that makes dump cakes so iconic.
Ingredient Notes
- Pineapple Tidbits – These provide a consistent texture throughout the base; remember to reserve the juice from one can to help hydrate the cake mix.
- Maraschino Cherries – Using cherries without tails ensures every bite is easy to eat and packed with sweet cherry flavor.
- Yellow or White Cake Mix – This acts as the “crust” of the cake. Yellow mix adds a slightly richer, more buttery flavor, while white mix stays a bit lighter.
- Melted Butter – This is the key to a rich topping; drizzling it over the dry mix helps it transform into a delicious cake layer.
- Light Brown Sugar – A final sprinkle of brown sugar ensures the top becomes perfectly golden and adds a subtle caramel note.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts over the cherries before adding the cake mix for an extra layer of texture.
- Coconut Variation: For a more tropical piña colada feel, stir 1/2 cup of shredded sweetened coconut into the pineapple layer.
- Spice: A small pinch of cinnamon mixed into the brown sugar can add a lovely warm aroma to the finished bake.
How to Make Cherry Pineapple Cheesecake Dump Cake
This recipe is all about the layering process. By keeping the ingredients in the correct order and covering the dish for the first part of the bake, you ensure the fruit stays juicy while the cake layer cooks through perfectly.
- Prep the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 F and generously butter or spray your 9×13 baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer the Fruit: Spread the drained pineapple tidbits evenly across the bottom of the pan, followed by an even layer of maraschino cherries.
- Add the Cake Layer: Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the fruit. Pour the reserved pineapple juice over the mix, followed by the melted butter.
- The Sugar Finish: Sprinkle the light brown sugar across the top to help create that signature crust.
- Bake in Two Stages: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. This traps the steam and ensures the cake mix hydrates. Remove the foil for the final 15 minutes to allow the top to become golden and crunchy.
Pro Tip: When drizzling the pineapple juice and melted butter, try to cover as much of the dry cake mix as possible. This prevents any “dry spots” and ensures a uniform, cake-like texture across the entire surface.
Recipe Tips
- Juice Reservation: Don’t forget to save the juice from one can of pineapple! Without that extra liquid, the cake mix may remain powdery in certain areas.
- Even Distribution: Use a spoon to spread the pineapple and cherries so that every slice of the cake has a perfect ratio of fruit.
- Oven Placement: Always position your rack in the center of the oven to ensure even heat distribution for both the fruit base and the cake top.
- Crunch Factor: For the best results, make sure the top looks golden brown before removing it from the oven; that final 15 minutes without the foil is essential for the texture.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned? While fresh pineapple is delicious, canned pineapple is recommended here because of the consistent moisture content and the necessary reserved juice needed to hydrate the cake mix.
What is the best way to store leftovers? Store any remaining cake in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. It can be enjoyed cold or reheated briefly in the microwave.
Do I need to mix the cake mix with anything before adding it? No! The beauty of a dump cake is that you “dump” the dry mix directly onto the fruit. The juice and butter will do all the work in the oven.
Serving Suggestions
- Ice Cream – A warm square of this cake is incredible with a scoop of vanilla bean or coconut ice cream.
- Whipped Topping – A dollop of whipped cream adds a light, airy finish that balances the sweetness of the cherries.
- Serve Warm – While this can be served cold, the flavors and textures are at their peak when served warm from the oven.
Make This Recipe in Advance
While this cake is best enjoyed fresh, you can assemble the pineapple and cherry layers in the pan a few hours in advance. However, wait to add the dry cake mix, juice, and butter until just before you are ready to bake to ensure the crust doesn’t become soggy.
Cherry Pineapple Cheesecake Dump Cake
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cherry Pineapple Cheesecake Dump Cake is the perfect solution for when you need a crowd-pleasing dessert with minimal effort. It combines the tropical sweetness of pineapple with the classic brightness of maraschino cherries, all tucked under a buttery, golden cake crust. Featuring a soft, fruity base and a slightly crunchy, caramelized topping, this dessert is a warm and comforting treat that pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
- 40 oz pineapple tidbits (or a combination of tidbits and crushed pineapple), reserve juice from one can
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, without tails
- 15.25 oz yellow or white cake mix
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously butter or spray a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Layer the Fruit
Spread the drained pineapple tidbits evenly across the bottom of the pan. Follow this with an even layer of maraschino cherries.
Step 3: Add the Cake Layer
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the fruit layer. Pour the reserved pineapple juice over the dry mix, followed by the melted butter.
Step 4: The Sugar Finish
Sprinkle the light brown sugar across the top of the butter/mix layer to help create a signature caramelized crust.
Step 5: Bake in Two Stages
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes to trap steam and hydrate the cake mix. Remove the foil and bake for a final 15 minutes until the top is golden and crunchy.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Allow the cake to sit for 10-15 minutes to set before serving warm with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Preventing Dry Spots: When drizzling the reserved juice and melted butter, aim for maximum coverage over the dry cake mix. This ensures a uniform, cake-like texture and prevents powdery patches.
Variation – Tropical Twist: For a ‘Piña Colada’ flavor profile, stir 1/2 cup of sweetened shredded coconut into the pineapple layer before adding the cake mix.
Storage Instructions: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to restore the soft, gooey texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 340mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: cherry pineapple dump cake, easy fruit dessert, cake mix recipes, 5 ingredient dessert, pineapple cherry cobbler, quick family dessert
