If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and family-friendly dessert, this Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake is the perfect choice. Comforting, customizable, and balanced, it brings the sweet, tropical flavor of pineapple to a simple one-pot recipe that’s ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this nut-free version is safe for everyone, making it a delicious, stress-free dessert you’ll want to bake again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll absolutely love this Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake because it’s the ultimate combination of simplicity and flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights, last-minute gatherings, or family desserts, this cake is incredibly easy to make yet impressively delicious. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a dessert that’s sweet, moist, and bursting with tropical pineapple goodness.
This Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake is family-friendly, meaning everyone—from kids to grandparents—can enjoy it safely without worrying about nuts. It’s also highly customizable: add cream cheese for a rich twist, use condensed milk for extra sweetness, or even try a 3-ingredient or 4-ingredient version for a super quick treat.
One of the best things about this dessert is how forgiving it is. Even beginner bakers can achieve a golden, gooey, perfectly baked cake. Whether you’re craving a nostalgic old-fashioned dessert or a modern, nut-free twist on a classic, this Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake delivers comfort, convenience, and pure indulgence in every bite.
Ingredients for This Recipe
When making this delicious Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake, choosing the right ingredients is key to achieving a moist, flavorful, and safe-for-all dessert. The star of the show is canned crushed pineapple in juice, which adds natural sweetness and a tropical punch that pairs perfectly with a soft cake base. Using a yellow or angel food cake mix ensures light, fluffy texture without any nuts, keeping the recipe truly nut-free.
For a healthier, more wholesome twist, unsweetened applesauce adds moisture while reducing the need for extra butter or oil. A touch of vanilla extract enhances all the flavors, creating a dessert that’s comforting, aromatic, and irresistibly inviting. Each ingredient in this Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake plays a role in creating the perfect balance of gooey pineapple topping and soft, golden cake underneath.
🛒 Ingredients:
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice
- 1 box yellow or angel food cake mix
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make This Recipe
Making a Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake is wonderfully simple, yet it delivers a dessert that looks and tastes like it took hours to bake. The beauty of this recipe is its one-pan, one-step layering process, which means minimal prep and cleanup. By carefully layering the crushed pineapple, cake mix, and applesauce, you create a perfect combination of gooey pineapple topping and fluffy cake underneath. Vanilla extract adds a hint of warmth and depth to every bite, making this Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake irresistible for family gatherings or weeknight treats.
📝 How to Make This Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread the entire can of crushed pineapple evenly in the prepared dish.
- Sprinkle the yellow or angel food cake mix evenly over the pineapple.
- Drizzle the unsweetened applesauce on top of the cake mix.
- Add the vanilla extract evenly across the top for added flavor.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the cake is golden and bubbly.
- Let cool slightly before serving warm, spooned directly from the dish.
Expert Cooking Tips
Making the perfect Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake is all about understanding how each ingredient works and following a few expert tips. The crushed pineapple adds natural sweetness and moisture, so avoid draining it completely—this keeps the cake gooey and flavorful. The cake mix forms a light, fluffy base, while applesauce ensures the texture stays soft without adding extra fat. Vanilla extract enhances the overall aroma and ties the flavors together. Using these tips guarantees a golden, delicious, nut-free dessert every time.
💡 Expert Tips for the Best Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake:
- Do not drain the pineapple: Keep all the juice for a moist, gooey cake.
- Evenly sprinkle the cake mix: Prevents dry spots and ensures consistent baking.
- Use unsweetened applesauce: Adds moisture without extra sugar or fat.
- Add vanilla extract evenly: Enhances sweetness and balances flavors.
- Check for doneness: Golden edges and bubbly top mean it’s ready.
- Serve warm: Brings out the gooey pineapple texture and rich flavor.
FAQs
What is the biggest mistake to avoid when making a Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake?
The most common mistake is draining the pineapple. Leaving the juice in ensures a moist, gooey texture. Also, unevenly spreading the cake mix can create dry spots, so sprinkle it evenly over the pineapple.
What is the best flour or cake mix to use for pineapple dump cake?
Use yellow or angel food cake mix for a light, fluffy base. For a scratch version, all-purpose flour works, but make sure it’s nut-free.
Can you make a 3-ingredient pineapple dump cake?
Yes! You can combine crushed pineapple, cake mix, and applesauce for a super-simple version of this Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake.
Do you drain the pineapple for dump cake?
No! For the best gooey, flavorful results, keep the pineapple in its juice. This ensures your Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake stays moist and delicious.
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This Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake is a simple, delicious, and family-friendly dessert that proves you don’t need nuts to create a crowd-pleasing treat. With just a few ingredients—crushed pineapple, cake mix, applesauce, and vanilla—you can whip up a moist, gooey cake that’s perfect for weeknights, special occasions, or anytime you crave a comforting dessert. By following these tips and using the right ingredients, your Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake will come out golden, flavorful, and irresistibly sweet every time. Try the variations, experiment with additions like cream cheese or condensed milk, and share this easy, nut-free dessert with friends and family.
Print
Nut-Free Pineapple Dump Cake
- Total Time: 40–45 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Tropical, sweet, and nut-free, this pineapple dump cake is simple and delicious.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients:
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice
1 box yellow or angel food cake mix
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch dish.
Spread pineapple evenly in dish and drizzle with vanilla.
Sprinkle cake mix over pineapple.
Spoon applesauce in small dollops on top.
Bake 35–40 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Prep Time: 5–10 min
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American