Pineapple Dump Cakes – The Best Easy Tropical Dessert Recipe (2025)

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing, these Pineapple Dump Cakes are perfect. This vegan pineapple dump cake recipe is family-friendly, customizable, and a one-pot wonder, making cleanup effortless. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a special occasion, these easy pineapple dump cakes deliver sweet, tropical flavor with minimal effort. Comforting, balanced, and simple to prepare, they’re the ultimate stress-free dessert for any gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Pineapple Dump Cakes are a must-try for anyone who loves quick, easy, and delicious desserts. With minimal prep and just a few ingredients, this easy pineapple dump cake delivers a tropical, buttery sweetness that the whole family will adore. Perfect for busy weeknights, casual dinners, or special occasions, these vegan pineapple dump cakes are incredibly versatile—you can customize them with cherries, coconut, or even sweetened condensed milk for extra indulgence.

Not only are these pineapple dump cakes with cake mix simple to make, but they’re also one-pot wonders, keeping cleanup effortless while offering a comforting, gooey, golden-brown topping. Whether you’re a beginner baker or an experienced cook, this recipe makes it easy to enjoy a stress-free, flavorful dessert. From classic Betty Crocker pineapple dump cake variations to creative twists like cherry pineapple dump cake, you’ll love how adaptable and satisfying this recipe is. For quick, tropical flavor that never disappoints, these best pineapple dump cakes are the ultimate dessert solution.

Ingredients for This Recipe

Creating the perfect Pineapple Dump Cakes starts with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that combine for maximum flavor and minimal effort. The star of the recipe is crushed pineapple, which provides natural sweetness and juicy tropical flavor that soaks into the cake as it bakes. Using a standard yellow or white cake mix keeps this dessert incredibly easy, giving you that classic fluffy topping without complicated prep. Melted butter adds richness and helps the cake develop a golden, crispy crust while keeping the inside moist and tender.

This recipe is highly customizable—add a touch of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream when serving to elevate your easy pineapple dump cake into a show-stopping dessert. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy a one-pot, crowd-pleasing treat any day of the week.

🛒 Ingredients:

2 cans (20 oz each) crushed pineapple in juice, drained slightly
1 box yellow or white cake mix (15 oz)
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Optional: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for serving

How to Make This Recipe

Making Pineapple Dump Cakes is incredibly simple, which is why they’re perfect for busy weeknights, special occasions, or any time you crave a quick, tropical dessert. The beauty of this easy pineapple dump cake recipe is in its simplicity: you literally “dump” the ingredients into a baking dish, spread them evenly, and bake until golden and bubbly. The crushed pineapple provides juicy sweetness, while the cake mix forms a fluffy, golden topping. Melted butter seeps through the mix, creating a rich, gooey texture that makes these vegan pineapple dump cakes irresistible.

You can also customize your Pineapple Dump Cakes by adding cherries, shredded coconut, or a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk to enhance flavor and texture. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent touch.

📝 Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Spread the drained crushed pineapple evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish
Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over the pineapple
Pour melted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix
Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the topping is golden and bubbly
Let cool slightly before serving with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Cooking pineapple dump cake — Easy Pineapple Dump Cakes: A Tropical Dessert Everyone Will Love 14

Expert Cooking Tips

To make the ultimate Pineapple Dump Cakes, understanding how each ingredient works is key. The crushed pineapple provides moisture and natural sweetness, which keeps the cake tender and juicy. The cake mix creates a fluffy, golden topping that balances the pineapple’s tropical flavor. Melted butter not only enriches the cake but also ensures the topping becomes crispy and irresistible. By mastering how these ingredients interact, you can customize your easy pineapple dump cake to suit any occasion, from weeknight desserts to festive gatherings.

Enhance your vegan pineapple dump cakes by experimenting with optional mix-ins like cherries, shredded coconut, or sweetened condensed milk for extra richness. Even small adjustments, like evenly spreading the butter or lightly draining the pineapple, make a big difference in texture and flavor.

💡 Expert Tips:

Use slightly drained crushed pineapple for balanced sweetness and moisture
Spread cake mix evenly over pineapple for uniform topping
Pour melted butter slowly to ensure all areas are covered
Optional: add cherries or coconut for a classic cherry pineapple dump cake twist
Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for indulgence

Four pineapple dump cake variations — Easy Pineapple Dump Cakes: A Tropical Dessert Everyone Will Love 15

FAQs

1. Can I make a pineapple dump cake without cake mix?

Yes! For a pineapple dump cake without cake mix, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to create a homemade topping. It still delivers the gooey, tropical flavor of classic easy pineapple dump cakes.

2. How many ingredients do I need for a simple pineapple dump cake?

A basic 4 ingredient pineapple dump cake uses crushed pineapple, yellow or white cake mix, melted butter, and optional whipped cream or ice cream. There are also 2 ingredient pineapple dump cake versions for ultra-quick desserts.

3. Can I add cherries to pineapple dump cakes?

Absolutely! Adding cherry pie filling turns it into a cherry pineapple dump cake, giving a sweet-tart contrast that complements the tropical flavor perfectly.

4. What is the difference between pineapple dump cake and pineapple upside-down cake?

While pineapple upside-down dump cake has a structured layer and caramelized topping, easy pineapple dump cakes are “dump-and-bake” desserts with a gooey, buttery top, making them faster and more rustic.

5. Is there a Betty Crocker pineapple dump cake recipe?

Yes, Betty Crocker pineapple dump cake is a popular version that uses similar ingredients and techniques, perfect for anyone seeking a tried-and-true classic.

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Whether you’re making a classic pineapple dump cake or experimenting with variations like cherry pineapple dump cake or pineapple dump cake with condensed milk, this recipe is foolproof and crowd-pleasing. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions, these easy pineapple dump cakes are quick to assemble, require minimal ingredients, and deliver tropical, gooey sweetness every time. From Betty Crocker pineapple dump cake fans to those craving a homemade pineapple upside down dump cake, this recipe is versatile, customizable, and irresistible. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a simple, satisfying dessert that everyone will love.