Dump cakes are vintage cobbler-like desserts. They're very quick to assemble, and you can mix and match the filling and topping flavors. They're the perfect no-fuss dessert for hectic weeknights, potlucks, barbecues, and casual gatherings. They freeze well and keep for a few days in the refrigerator, so you can make them ahead.
A popular vintage recipe
An easy dessert recipe, sort of a sweet casserole dish, that became very popular among busy households decades ago.
Why is it called a dump cake?
These desserts have a layer of pie filling topped by a cobbler-like topping.
The original recipe uses cans of fruit filling, a box of cake mix, and thinly sliced cold butter pieces.
The first two are literally opened and dumped into the baking dish, hence the name, and the butter slices are arranged on top of the cake mix in an even layer, covering it. Melted butter is sometimes used and just drizzled over the dry mix.
During baking, the butter melts and the juices in the fruit are released to moisten the dry cake mix. This bakes the floury topping in a cobbler-like fashion, crumbly and with a soft, biscuit-like interior sometimes, but not like the regular layer cakes.
They're perfect desserts for busy days.
It's a cross between a cobbler and a crustless crumb pie. It's a dessert more than a cake in the traditional way, but we call it that because it uses a boxed cake mix.
The flavors will vary depending on the cake mix and filling you use and can go from a classic cherry dump cake to a modern lemon cobbler cake.
Both are quick desserts (usually fruit-based) with simple ingredients. The main difference is the topping.
There are different types of toppings for cobblers: traditional biscuits, drop biscuits, and pie crust.
A dump cake's topping is made with cake mix and butter. Depending on how you mix those two ingredients, the final result can vary and be more floury or crunchier.
The fruit layer of both is fruit pie filling, and though a cobbler generally uses homemade recipes, you can make it with store-bought.
Assembly and baking
- Bottom layer: It's usually fruit-based, but there are other types, like the pumpkin dump cake, that don't include them.
You can use canned, store-bought pie filling or make your own. They're easy to make from scratch! Yes, super easy, just check this peach pie filling recipe. - Top layer: it involves two ingredients, cake mix and butter.
I like to mix both and use melted butter because the topping is crunchier and bakes better (like the cherry dump cake).
But the original recipes call for evenly sprinkling the boxed mix and covering it with thin slices of cold butter, as we do in this chocolate cherry dump cake. Or drizzling melted butter on top of the dry mix. - When is a dump cake done? When the topping is dry and golden brown, and the juices are bubbling.
If you are using the old-fashioned way of covering the cake mix with butter slices, I recommend that you check that there are no large dry spots on top midway through baking, after all the butter has melted and started to seep into the cake mix. If that is the case, you might want to add an extra thin slice of butter to cover the spot and continue baking the dessert further. Biting into dry cake mix is not what we aim for.
FAQ
Dry cake mix: the type you find in the supermarket or grocery store, whatever brand you want.
Yellow cake mix or white cake mix are the most common ones because they're vanilla-flavored and pair well with most fillings, if not all of them. But don't stop there. We use a chocolate cake mix with cherry filling, and sometimes use spice cake mix with apple pie filling.
Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines are popular ones, but any brand you like works fine. They're all pretty much the same, even though some ingredients might vary.
No, you don't. The layers must be differentiated from one another.
Family-style desserts
Dump cakes are baked in ceramic or glass dishes and then taken to the table. They are not removed from the pan.
What type of dish to use: Choose a nice baking dish you like to showcase on the table.
For me, ceramic ones are the best. I use my favorite Emile Henry small ceramic rectangular dish or the medium Emile Henry ceramic dish whenever possible, but they can be pricey.
Several others, from rectangular ceramic dishes and porcelain bakeware sets to glass baking dishes or round ceramic baking dishes, work just fine.
Also, a cast-iron skillet fits this type of dessert if you like a Southern style.
How to serve them
- Temperature: I don't recommend them too cold because it's harder to grasp the full flavors, but anywhere from cool to room temperature is fine. Of course, that's my preference (and of those around me), and I encourage you to find your own sweet spot.
- Plain: they're fantastic on their own. This is especially good when taking them to potlucks and picnics.
- With ice cream or whipped cream: similar to crumbles and cobblers, these desserts are amazing slightly warm (not hot) with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of sweet whipped cream.
- Toppings: drizzle caramel sauce or dulce de leche, chocolate sauce or fudge, sprinkle with chopped nuts or chocolate chips, fresh fruit, or berries.
Storage Tips
They last for about 5 days in the fridge and a month frozen.
Refrigerate leftovers. You can leave them at room temperature for several hours, but fruit desserts are best kept chilled. To prevent dryness, cover the baking pan or dish with plastic wrap or use an airtight container.
Make-ahead dessert. And it's a great way to plan a dessert for a gathering. The baked dump cake will keep for 4-5 days in the refrigerator, well covered in plastic wrap. Simply let it come to room temperature before serving, or slightly warm it in a medium oven and serve it with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Freeze them for a month. If freezing it whole, cover the pan well, first in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, and label it. Or transfer the leftovers to a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature and warm slightly in a medium oven before serving.
Recipe roundup
You can flavor the fillings and toppings, adding additional fresh fruit, extracts or spices, to match your palate.
So be inventive and let your imagination fly. Try new cake mix flavors and jazz up pie fillings to make them your own.
Basic Dump Cake
Also known as a cobbler with cake mix, this effortless fruit dessert comes together quickly. This recipe is the classic, original dump cake.
Lemon Dump Cake
This version for lemon lovers is a bright change from the usual fruity ones. It's creamy and sweet, comes together in minutes and freezes well.
Peach Dump Cake
If you never made a peach dump cake you're in for a sweet surprise. It's one of the easiest crowd-pleasing desserts.
Strawberry Cheesecake
This strawberry cream cheese cobbler is the kind of dessert recipe you keep in your back pocket for when you need something quick but still crave a homemade touch.
Blackberry Dump Cake
This is a simple cobbler-like dessert with juicy blackberries and a buttery, cakey topping made from cake mix.
Cranberry Dump Cake
You layer the filling, sprinkle the dry cake mix over the top, drizzle the butter and let the oven do the rest. It's great for leftover cran sauce.
Strawberry Pineapple
The mix of flavors is wonderful, and you're in for a surprise. The dessert can be made ahead and is perfect eaten warm with ice cream.
Caramel Apple
This simple recipe combines favorite flavors: caramel, cinnamon, and apples. Fall baking at its best.
Berry Dump Cake
Sweet and easy, this vintage dessert allows you to adjust the mix of fruits to your preference.
Chocolate Cherry
Our take on the classic Black Forest dessert. The combination of flavors is wonderful and it's ready in an hour.
Blueberry Pineapple
This dump cake is one of the easiest desserts, with a fantastic combination of flavors. It's a sweet casserole dish made with canned pie filling and cake mix from a box.
Pumpkin Pecan
You might also know it as pumpkin pie cake or pumpkin crunch cake. It's a dessert or a crustless pie really.
Pineapple
An easy-to-make recipe that combines the sweetness of the pineapple with the buttery, cakey texture of the cake mix.
Strawberry
A quick, easy dessert with amazing flavors, this dump cake is a must-bake when strawberry season hits.
Fresh Cherry
It has a layer of cherry pie filling (homemade or store-bought) and a cobbler-like topping. A great way to take advantage of seasonal cherries.
Blueberry Dump Cake
A recipe to make often because it's so easy! A layer of juicy berries and a crisp topping make this a last-minute dessert that's sure to be a success.
Pineapple Cherry
It has a layer of pineapple chunks and cherry pie filling (homemade or store-bought). The mix of flavors is surprisingly good, and it freezes well.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my disclosure policy.
Wendy Novatt says
I find it so easy t make dumpcakes so i am grateful for your help
Jessie says
I'm so saving this post. I have many fond memories of dump cakes from potlucks growing up. Awesome! I'll have to show my kids! Thanks for sharing this bit of scrumptious nostalgia.
Paula Montenegro says
So great to know that Jessie! Happy baking!
Cindy says
Bake at what temp and for how long? Just follow instructions on the cake mix box?
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Cindy! When you click the link to each recipe (the cards are towards the end of this post) you have the ingredients and instructions for each dump cake recipe. Happy baking!