Looking for some simple dessert recipes made with simple ingredients? These easy dump cakes are an easy way to cure your sweet tooth!

I love the simplicity of dump cakes. There’s no mixing bowl is needed, just your ingredients and a casserole dish. If you have never tried a classic recipe for a dump cake before, you may be confused at what I am talking about.

What is a Classic Dump Cake Recipe?

A typical dump cake consists of all of your dessert ingredients “dumped” right into your baking dish. Traditionally, it’s your fruit pie filling, a dry cake mix and melted butter on the top of the cake. Preparation time is literally under 2 minutes. Some say that dump cakes are a form of cobblers. There are so many different variations of this easy dessert.

The first dump cake I made was a Cherry Dump Cake recipe made with cherry pie filling and a box of yellow cake mix. I was a critic at first that this would actually work. I couldn’t believe it when I took my cake out of the oven that it indeed worked and was delicious!

Generally, a canned fruit is used, but frozen or fresh fruit will work as well. Most well stocked pantries will have canned fruit and a cake mixes in them, so this really is a convenient go-to dessert.

You can top your dump cake with a complimentary ingredient like brown sugar, chopped nuts or coconut and spices like ginger, nutmeg or cinnamon. We like to top a spoonful of dump cake with a cool scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

You will love how quickly dump cakes are to get ready. I personally love to bring them to BBQ’s, parties or a Church Potluck because they’re such an easy, frugal dessert that goes a long way. If you are in need of last minute, quick dessert, these easy dump cake recipes are the way to go.

There are so many delicious dump cake recipes that I have tried and I am sharing them with you now. Some of our family favorites include: blueberry dump cake, pina colada dump cake, funfetti dump cake, caramel apple dump cake and a black forest dump cake.

In the summer, swap out the usual peach cobbler for a peach dump cake made with fresh peaches. In the fall, forget the apple pie and use fresh apples and a box of cake mix for a switch on your classic dessert. For something super decadent, make a chocolate dump cake out of chocolate cake mix and a scoop of ice cream.

Can I Substitute Different Pie Fillings in my Dump Cake Recipes?

Yes! Most simple dump cake recipes can be substituted for any of your family’s favorite flavors. Try fillings like blueberry, strawberry, peach, cherry. If find that your fruit of choice is too tart, mix in a little bit of crushed pineapple.

Can I make a Dump Cake in my Slow Cooker?

You can! Layer your cake the same way but in the crock of your slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.

What is the difference between a dump cake and a poke cake?

While both are a delicious dessert, a poke cake has the baker “poke” holes in the finished cake and then filled with a pudding mix to make a moist cake.