Looking for a quick, easy, and family-friendly dessert? This low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, it’s a comforting, customizable treat the whole family will enjoy. This one-pot dessert offers a balanced, flavorful option without extra fat, making it a go-to recipe for anyone who wants a simple yet delicious sweet ending to any meal.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake is a dessert you’ll fall in love with for many reasons. First, it’s incredibly quick and easy to make—perfect for busy weeknights when you want a sweet treat without spending hours in the kitchen. The recipe is family-friendly, appealing to both kids and adults, making it a go-to dessert for gatherings, potlucks, or casual dinners.
It’s also highly customizable. You can add nuts like pecans or almonds for crunch, sprinkle a little cinnamon for warmth, or drizzle a touch of condensed milk for extra sweetness without adding too much fat. Because it’s a one-pot dessert, cleanup is a breeze—no need to wash multiple bowls or complicated bakeware.
Despite being low in fat, the cake remains moist and flavorful, with juicy cherries and sweet pineapple creating a perfect balance. Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert, a healthier option, or a comforting treat to share, this low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake delivers on taste, simplicity, and versatility every time.
Ingredients for This Recipe
When making a low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake, choosing the right ingredients is key to getting the perfect balance of flavor and texture. This recipe is simple, yet every component contributes to a moist, fruity, and light dessert. The canned crushed pineapple provides natural sweetness and juiciness, while the cherry pie filling adds that classic, vibrant cherry flavor. Using a box of angel food cake mix keeps the dessert airy and light, perfect for a low-fat treat.
To replace butter and reduce fat, unsweetened applesauce is used, helping the cake stay moist without added calories. A hint of almond extract is optional but enhances the nutty undertone that pairs beautifully with cherries and pineapple. These ingredients together create a dessert that is quick, easy, and versatile enough to suit family dinners, weeknight treats, or special occasions.
🛒 Ingredients:
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling (low-sugar if available)
- 1 box angel food cake mix
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
How to Make This Recipe
Making a low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake is quick, simple, and requires minimal prep. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the crushed pineapple and cherry pie filling evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish. The combination of juicy pineapple and sweet cherries forms the flavorful base of your low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake.
Next, sprinkle the angel food cake mix over the fruit layer—remember, do not mix. This step ensures the cake bakes into a light, fluffy topping. Dot the applesauce over the cake mix, which keeps your low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake moist without adding extra fat. If you like, add a few drops of almond extract to enhance the flavor.
Bake the dessert for 35–40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the fruit is bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this easy, delicious, and guilt-free low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake warm with a dollop of low-fat whipped cream or yogurt.
Expert Cooking Tips
- Don’t Mix the Layers: For the perfect texture, keep the fruit and cake mix separate. Mixing will create a dense cake rather than the light, fluffy topping that makes this low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake so irresistible.
- Use Drained Pineapple Carefully: While you want some juice for moisture, draining excess pineapple juice prevents the cake from becoming too soggy.
- Experiment with Nuts: Chopped pecans or almonds add crunch and depth of flavor without increasing fat significantly.
- Optional Flavor Boost: A teaspoon of almond extract enhances the cherry and pineapple notes, elevating your low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake to a bakery-style dessert.
- Watch Baking Time: Oven temperatures vary, so start checking for doneness around 30 minutes. The cake is ready when the top is golden and the fruit is bubbly.
- Serve Warm: This dessert tastes best warm, but it can also be chilled for a refreshing treat. Pair it with low-fat whipped cream or yogurt for a balanced finish.
FAQS
What is the biggest mistake to avoid when making a dump cake?
A: The most common mistake is mixing the fruit and cake layers. For a light, fluffy topping, keep them separate when baking your low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake.
How many calories are in a cherry pineapple dump cake?
A: A serving of this low-fat version typically has around 200–250 calories, depending on portion size and whether you add toppings like nuts or whipped cream.
Can I make a dump cake without butter?
A: Yes! Using unsweetened applesauce, light margarine, or even yogurt works perfectly to keep your low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake moist while reducing fat content.
What is the best cake mix for dump cake?
A: Angel food, yellow, or white cake mixes all work well. Angel food is ideal for a lighter, lower-fat dessert that complements the fruit without overpowering it.
Can I customize this dump cake?
A: Absolutely! Add chopped nuts, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or even a drizzle of condensed milk to give your low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake extra flavor and texture.
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This low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake is a perfect example of a dessert that’s both simple and delicious. Quick to prepare, family-friendly, and versatile, it’s ideal for busy weeknights, casual dinners, or special occasions. With juicy cherries, sweet pineapple, and a light, fluffy topping, it proves that lower-fat desserts can still be indulgent. Try this recipe as-is or experiment with nuts, extracts, or toppings to make your own signature low-fat cherry pineapple dump cake.
Print
Low-Fat Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A classic dump cake lightened up with fruit juice and applesauce instead of butter, for a sweet-tart dessert that’s flavorful but lower in fat.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients:
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling (low-sugar if available)
1 box angel food cake mix
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch dish.
- Layer Fruit Base: Spread pineapple with juice evenly in the dish. Top with cherry pie filling and almond extract.
- Add Cake Mix: Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over the fruit.
- Top with Applesauce: Dollop applesauce evenly on top.
- Bake: Bake for 40 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Serve: Cool slightly before serving. Best enjoyed warm.
Notes
- Great with a scoop of non-dairy frozen yogurt or fat-free whipped topping.
- Sub mixed berries for the cherries for a lighter fruit profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Low-Fat
- Cuisine: American