Learn how to make a dump cake with any box of cake mix and add-ins you have on hand. You’ll have a crowd-pleasing dessert with ingredients you have on hand and minimal prep time required!

strawberry dump cake serving.

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Dump cakes may be one of the easiest types of cake to make. You only need a few simple ingredients, a pan, and an oven, and they’re ready to eat in minutes!

Most recipes don’t even require you to mix the ingredients together. You just “dump” everything into a pan and bake. It almost seems too easy to be true. But I promise you, dump cakes are delicious and bake perfectly every time. 

What is a Dump Cake?

Dump cakes are very similar to cobblers. They have a thick, sweet filling on the bottom and a crumbly cake topping. The dessert gets its name because you dump all the ingredients into a pan and bake.

There is no measuring, no mixing, and no complicated cake-making techniques to worry about. Everyone can make a dump cake, even the most novice chefs! And once you know how to make a dump cake, you’ll want to make them all the time!

The best part is that dump cakes actually taste really good. They are rich and sweet and can be made in hundreds of different ways. There are so many different types of dump cakes you can try that you will surely find one that you love.

(If you’re looking for more easy cake recipes, try my Chocolate Pudding Cake, Easy Pumpkin Cake, and Pudding Poke Cake, too!)

Two cans of strawberry filling, a stick of butter, and a box of Betty Crocker mix.

What is a Dump Cake Made Of?

Dump cakes are made with very simple ingredients. Here is what you will need to make a very basic recipe:

  • Canned Fruit or Pie Filling – Most dump cakes start with a layer of canned fruit spread across the bottom of a casserole dish. Canned pie filling is the most common first ingredient. Nice and thick, it’s perfectly sweetened and ready to eat straight from the can. Any flavor of pie filling or fruit filling will work! I don’t recommend using fresh fruit as it is not as soft or sweet as pie filling. 
  • Pudding Mix – Pudding is another very common ingredient in dump cake. It’s nice and moist, so it helps soften the dry cake mix and is especially good for making chocolate dump cake recipes. Instant pudding is also really easy to make and takes just seconds to whisk together. This ensures your dump cakes will still be quick to whip up!
  • Cake Mix – Dry cake mix is a key ingredient in any dump cake. Cake mix makes the crumbly cake topping that covers every dump cake. You can use almost any type of dry mix, but chocolate and vanilla are the most common. 
  • Butter – Butter pieces are dotted across the surface of a dump cake before baking. The butter will help moisten the dry cake mix as it bakes. 
  • Nuts – Many dump cake recipes have nuts sprinkled over the cake. This gives the cakes a little extra crunch and a boost of flavor. 

Variations

Feel free to mix and match different ingredients and toppings to make this recipe your own! Here are a few of my favorite variations:

  • Stir a little vanilla extract or almond extract into the canned fruit to enhance the flavors. 
  • Swap out the cake mix in your recipe to switch up the dump cake. Use white cake mix in place of a box of yellow cake mix, or even try using funfetti! Chocolate cake mix can be replaced with peanut butter cake or even pumpkin cake mix. Get creative! 
  • Add toppings to your dump cake after it is baked. Caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream is always a good idea!
  • Sprinkle chocolate chips or white chocolate chips on top of the fruit layer. This is a nice easy way to add even more sweet flavor to the simple dessert. 

How to Make Dump Cakes in the Oven

Most dump cakes only take about 5 minutes to prepare before transferring them to the oven. This is why so many people love them!

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or the temperature required in the recipe if you’re using one. You can also grease your dump cake pan if needed.
  2. Add the first layer: Spread the first layer of dump cake into the prepared pan. This is usually the pie filling, canned fruit, pudding, or fruit puree.
  3. Add the dry cake mix: Next, sprinkle the cake mix across the entire pan. Make sure you sprinkle the cake mix evenly and try to break up any lumps. 
  4. Add the butter: Cut the butter into pieces, and dot it over the entire surface of the cake. You want to try to space out the butter well so that it coats all of the cake mix once it begins to melt. This keeps the cake moist!
  5. Add the toppings: If you are using chopped nuts or another crunchy topping, this will go on last. Once again, try to sprinkle your toppings evenly across the whole cake.
  6. Bake: The dump cake is ready to go into the oven! Just make sure your oven is nice and hot. Dump cakes are so easy to make, you may be done assembling before your oven is ready to bake!
Four images showing the process of making a strawberry dump cake.

How to Make a Dump Cake in the Slow Cooker

Making dump cake in a slow cooker is one of my favorite things to do and one of the easiest desserts ever. It makes this simple method of making cakes even easier! It also helps make the layers stay tender and cakey thanks to the steam inside the slow cooker

If you want a recipe that is more like a cake and less like a cobbler, this is the cooking method you should use.

  1. Assemble: Layer the ingredients inside the bowl of your slow cooker, layering the filling and cake mix and adding the butter on top.
  2. Cover and bake: Cover the bowl of the slow cooker, and cook on high heat for 2-3 hours. When the dump cake is done baking, the topping will be firm and slightly golden brown. 
  3. Enjoy!: Scoop the dump cake directly from the bowl of the slow cooker. I actually like to keep the crockpot set to ‘warm’ and let my guests serve themselves straight from the Crockpot!
piece of dump cake topped with fresh strawberry.

FAQs

How does a dump cake work?

Dump cakes are made by simply pouring a few ingredients into a pan and baking. They are typically made with pie filling, dry cake mix, and butter. The moisture of the pie filling layer helps soften the dry cake mix. The butter sprinkled over the top of the dry cake mix also helps tenderize and bake the cake mix. As the dessert bakes, the juicy bottom layer will bubble and cook while the butter melts into the cake. The result is a cobbler-like dessert that can be altered and customized in so many ways.

How can you tell if a dump cake is done?

The top will be golden brown, and the filling will be bubbling around the edges. Typically, you’ll need around 45-60 minutes to bake in an oven or two hours in a slow cooker.

How do you store dump cakes after baking?

Cover your cake with aluminum foil or transfer it to an airtight container. Leftovers will stay fresh in the fridge for up to one week. When you’re ready to serve, reheat in the microwave or oven just until heated through.

Easy Dump Cake Recipes

strawberry dump cake serving.

How to Make a Dump Cake

Learn how to make a dump cake with any box of cake mix and add-ins you have on hand. You'll have a crowd-pleasing dessert with ingredients you have on hand and minimal prep time required!
No ratings yet
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 9×13 baking dish

Ingredients  

  • 2 cans fruit filling
  • 1 box (~15.25 ounces) cake mix
  • 1 stick unsalted butter

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 baking dish, and set aside.
  • Spread the fruit filling in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly on top. Cut the butter into cubes, and arrange it on top of the cake mix. Add any additional toppings, if desired.
    2 cans fruit filling, 1 box (~15.25 ounces) cake mix, 1 stick unsalted butter
  • Bake 45-60 minutes or until the top of the cake is golden and the fruit filling is bubbly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 25mg | Potassium: 2mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

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