Southern Dump Cake Recipe
Cake Mix Recipe with a Homemade Flavor and a Cobbler Inspiration
Aug 31, 2008
Southern Dump Cake needs some public relations. The name is just not that appealing. True. Ingredients are dumped in the pan and baked. That, however, does not do justice to this tasty cake that looks much better than the name implies. The overall presentation is rather like a cobbler, so it’s not fancy baking. But, Southern Dump Cake does look like a delight and not a dump after it’s baked.
Southerners rather like funny names for cakes. There are ones like “Better Than Sex Cake” and “Sock it to Me Cake.” And, there’s “Dump Cake.”
Dump Cake is one of those doctor up a cake mix cakes, but instead of baking the mix as with many cake mix cake recipes, this one builds just on the dry powdered cake mix. The rest of the cake includes pantry items. The overall effect is a homemade tasting dessert that is a cross between a cake and a cobbler.
Southern Dump Cake Recipe
- 1 can pineapple crushed in heavy syrup (20 oz size)
- 1 can cherry pie filling (21 oz size)
- 1 yellow cake mix (general two layer cake size)
- 1 cup chopped pecans (can go a little more or less)
- 1 stick butter
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. This cake mixes up fast, so the oven should be about ready by the time the cake is ready to go in the oven.
- Spray a 9 x 13 (can go 9 x 11 but increase cooking time a bit) with Pam or lightly grease with Crisco.
- Pour the can of pineapple with syrup in the bottom of the baking pan and spread evenly.
- Spoon globs of cherry pie filling on top of pineapple. Don’t try to spread. This is a mess waiting to happen. Just evenly space globs of the cherries.
- Sprinkle the cake mix (not mixed up – just the dry mix) over the pineapples and cherries. This works best by hand. Pouring from the box makes it hard to get it even over the fruit.
- Sprinkle pecans on top of the cake mix. Again, go for a fairly even distribution.
- Cut the butter in thin slices and dab on top of the cake. There’s no real correct slice on the slices. Think of the packaged butter pats at restaurants and go close to that size. Divide the butter slices across the entire cake.
- Bake for around 50 minutes (350 degrees F). The corners should be set and the topped nicely golden brown. There will be fruit bubble spots on top.
Southern Dump Cake is especially good served right out of the oven and hot. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is good on top. It’s also fine at room temperature or cold.
Since Dump Cake includes fruit, do store leftovers in the refrigerator. The cobbler/cake will keep for a couple of days. Portions can be frozen and warmed up in the microwave or oven. The cake is crisper and better if warmed up in the oven after freezing.
Other favorite Southern cakes:
Southern Punch Bowl Strawberry Cake - This is another super easy cake. The base is a store bought angel food cake (though that can be made from scratch). Just layer the ingredients for a delighful and really pretty dessert that's a breeze to make.
Red Velvet Cake - This tasty cake graces many a Southern table at family gatherings. Make a real statement with this lovely cake that's just as pretty as it tastes.
Apple Butter Stack Cake - A mountain favorite, this cake is not seen often outside the Appalachians. Stack Cake does have fans though, so if you've been looking for the recipe, here is the one Grandma always made.
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