Mixed Berry Dump Cake Recipe – The Best Easy Berry Dessert (2025)

Name: Mixed Berry Dump Cake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 cups mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries) – fresh or frozen; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 box yellow or white cake mix (15–16 oz); ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted or sliced; Optional: ½ teaspoon cinnamon; Optional toppings: vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, powdered sugar

At Eminent Recipes, I believe delicious food doesn’t need to be complicated—and this Mixed Berry Dump Cake Recipe proves it. Inspired by my love for creating balanced, family-friendly dishes, this dessert is quick, customizable, and perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll enjoy the comforting flavors of sweet berries and golden cake in one irresistible bite. It’s an easy recipe everyone will request again and again.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s quick, cozy, and always a crowd-pleaser, this Mixed Berry Dump Cake Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s one of those magical desserts where minimal effort creates maximum flavor. With just a few pantry staples and your favorite berries—fresh or frozen—you’ll have a warm, bubbly treat that feels homemade but takes hardly any time to prepare.

This recipe is also incredibly versatile. Want a lighter option? Swap in fresh berries and a sugar-free cake mix. Craving something extra indulgent? Add a drizzle of melted butter or a sprinkle of brown sugar before baking. You can even customize the flavor with a splash of lemon juice for brightness or cinnamon for a cozy twist.

It’s family-friendly, making it a perfect weeknight dessert, yet it also shines at holidays, potlucks, or dinner parties. Everyone loves the balance of tart berries against the sweet, golden cake topping. Best of all, it’s nearly foolproof—just layer, bake, and enjoy.

Ingredients for This Recipe

One of the best things about this Mixed Berry Dump Cake Recipe is how simple and flexible the ingredients are. You don’t need a long grocery list—just a few basics you may already have in your kitchen. The star, of course, is the berries. A mix of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries creates a beautiful balance of tart and sweet flavors. You can use fresh berries when they’re in season, or frozen berries straight from the freezer for year-round convenience.

To enhance the filling, a touch of granulated sugar sweetens the fruit, while cornstarch helps thicken the juices as the cake bakes. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens the flavors and keeps the dessert from tasting overly heavy. For the topping, a simple box of yellow or white cake mix works perfectly, and melted butter brings everything together into a golden, crisp crust.

Optional extras like cinnamon add cozy warmth, and toppings like vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar make each serving irresistible.

ingredients for mixed berry dump cake — Mixed Berry Dump Cake Recipe: Easy, Quick, and Family-Favorite Dessert 13

How to Make This Recipe

Making this Mixed Berry Dump Cake Recipe couldn’t be easier—just a few quick steps and your oven does the rest. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 1 – Prepare the Berries:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed berries with granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Stir gently until the berries are coated, then spread them evenly into the prepared baking dish.

Step 2 – Add the Cake Mix:
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the berry layer. There’s no need to stir—this is what makes it a “dump” cake. Make sure the berries are completely covered.

Step 3 – Add the Butter:
Pour the melted butter evenly across the cake mix. For extra crunch, you can slice the butter into thin pats and arrange them over the top instead. Optional: sprinkle with cinnamon for warmth.

Step 4 – Bake:
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the berry filling is bubbly.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the ultimate comfort dessert.

pouring butter over mixed berry dump cake — Mixed Berry Dump Cake Recipe: Easy, Quick, and Family-Favorite Dessert 14

Expert Cooking Tips

While this Mixed Berry Dump Cake Recipe is simple, a few expert tips can help you get perfect results every time. First, if you’re using frozen berries, there’s no need to thaw them completely—just give them a quick rinse to remove excess ice. This prevents the filling from becoming too watery.

For the topping, make sure the cake mix is spread evenly over the berries. Uneven layers can cause dry spots. When adding butter, pouring it slowly in a zig-zag pattern or dotting with thin slices ensures even coverage and a golden, crunchy crust.

Want to boost flavor? Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the berries, or sprinkle the cake mix with cinnamon or nutmeg before baking. For extra texture, toss in a handful of chopped pecans, sliced almonds, or shredded coconut on top before baking.

If you prefer a lighter dessert, use a sugar-free cake mix and reduce the sugar in the berry mixture. To make it extra decadent, drizzle with caramel sauce right before serving.

Finally, let the cake rest for about 10 minutes after baking—this allows the juices to thicken and makes serving easier.

mixed berry dump cake served with ice cream — Mixed Berry Dump Cake Recipe: Easy, Quick, and Family-Favorite Dessert 15

FAQs

What is the biggest mistake to avoid when making a dump cake?

The most common mistake is not spreading the cake mix and butter evenly. If certain areas are left dry, you’ll end up with powdery patches instead of a crisp, golden crust. Always make sure the mix covers the berries completely, and that butter reaches as much of the surface as possible.

What is berry dump cake?

A berry dump cake is a fuss-free dessert made by “dumping” fruit, cake mix, and butter into a baking dish, then letting the oven do the work. The result is a bubbly berry filling topped with a crumbly, buttery cake layer—like a cross between cobbler and cake.

Can you use fresh fruit in a dump cake?

Yes! Fresh berries work beautifully in this recipe. Just keep in mind that frozen berries release more juice, so if you’re using fresh, you may want to add an extra tablespoon of sugar or a splash of water to balance the filling.

What is needed for a dump cake?

At its core, a dump cake requires just three ingredients: fruit, dry cake mix, and butter. Everything else—like sugar, spices, or toppings—can be adjusted to taste.

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This Mixed Berry Dump Cake Recipe is proof that the best desserts don’t have to be complicated. With just a handful of ingredients and almost no prep, you can create a sweet, bubbly, and golden-topped treat that feels both comforting and impressive. Whether you use fresh or frozen berries, this recipe is endlessly adaptable, making it a go-to dessert for every season.

It’s the kind of dish that brings people together—perfect for weeknight family dinners, holiday gatherings, or casual potlucks. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, and watch it disappear in no time.

If you love simple, foolproof recipes that deliver big on flavor, this dump cake is sure to become a family favorite. Try it once, and it just might be the easiest—and best—berry dessert you’ll ever bake.