3 Ingredient Dump Cake Recipe
When you need a homemade dessert without a long ingredient list, this 3 Ingredient Dump Cake Recipe is exactly the kind of recipe to keep nearby. It takes just three ingredients, comes together in minutes, and doesn’t require mixing up a traditional cake batter.
The finished cake is wonderfully soft and buttery, with golden, slightly crisp edges and a tender center. The fruit filling bubbles underneath the cake mix, giving every spoonful a mix of sweet fruit and buttery cake.
It’s especially handy when you’re short on time or need an easy dessert for a family dinner. I also like it for casual gatherings because it can go straight from the oven to the table with very little fuss.
Why It Works
A dump cake is about as forgiving as a dessert gets. There’s no creaming butter, measuring out several dry ingredients, or worrying about whether you’ve mixed the batter just right.
The fruit filling provides moisture and sweetness while the dry cake mix creates the cakey topping. Melted butter is poured over everything to help the cake mix bake into a golden, buttery crust.
The key is resisting the urge to stir the layers together. Keeping the ingredients separate as you assemble the cake is what gives you those distinct fruity and cakey layers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Canned Fruit Pie Filling
You’ll need two cans of fruit pie filling, such as cherry, apple, peach, or blueberry. Use regular pie filling rather than plain canned fruit, since the thickened filling provides the right amount of moisture and sweetness.
Yellow Cake Mix
One standard box of yellow cake mix works perfectly here. You don’t need to prepare the cake mix according to the box directions—just use it dry, straight from the package.
Unsalted Butter
Melt one cup of unsalted butter and drizzle it evenly over the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the surface as possible so the cake mix doesn’t have large dry patches after baking.
How To Make 3 Ingredient Dump Cake
1. Prepare The Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. Add The Fruit Filling
Spread the two cans of pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish. Use the back of a spoon or spatula to smooth it into an even layer.
3. Add The Cake Mix
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the fruit. Don’t stir it into the filling. Gently spread the mix around if needed so the fruit is covered from edge to edge.
4. Pour Over The Butter
Drizzle the melted butter slowly over the entire surface. Aim for an even coating, but don’t worry if a few small areas of cake mix remain uncovered.
5. Bake Until Golden
Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the fruit filling is visibly bubbling around the edges.
The center should look set rather than wet, while the edges will usually be a little darker and crispier. Let the cake rest for about 10–15 minutes before serving so the fruit filling can thicken slightly.
FAQs
Can I Use A Different Flavor Of Cake Mix?
Yes. Yellow cake mix is a classic choice, but white, vanilla, butter pecan, or spice cake mix can also work well depending on the fruit you’re using.
Do I Need To Mix The Cake Batter First?
No. That’s the beauty of a dump cake. The cake mix is used dry and sprinkled directly over the fruit filling.
Why Is My Cake Mix Still Dry In Some Spots?
This usually happens when the melted butter doesn’t reach every area of the cake mix. Drizzle it as evenly as possible across the surface. A few small dry spots aren’t unusual, but large patches can remain powdery after baking.
Can I Use Fresh Fruit Instead Of Pie Filling?
You can, but the recipe won’t behave exactly the same way. Canned pie filling already contains the sweetness and thickening needed for the dessert, so substituting fresh fruit usually requires additional sugar and thickener.
Can I Make This In A Smaller Dish?
Yes, but you’ll need to adjust the quantities and baking time. A smaller batch works well in an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch dish, provided the ingredients aren’t packed in too deeply.
How Do I Know When It’s Done?
Look for a golden-brown top and bubbling fruit around the edges. The cake portion should no longer look wet or powdery. If the top is browning too quickly while the center still looks underbaked, loosely cover it with foil and continue baking.
Recipe Variations
Cherry Dump Cake
Use cherry pie filling with yellow or white cake mix. A little almond extract can complement the cherries if you don’t mind adding a fourth ingredient.
Peach Dump Cake
Peach pie filling paired with yellow cake mix makes a particularly cozy combination. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream.
Apple Cinnamon Version
Use apple pie filling and spice cake mix for a simple fall-inspired variation. A sprinkle of cinnamon over the fruit is another easy option.
Blueberry Dump Cake
Blueberry pie filling works beautifully with white or yellow cake mix. The berries create a juicy layer underneath the buttery topping.
Pineapple Coconut Version
For a tropical variation, use pineapple pie filling if available and pair it with white cake mix. Shredded coconut can be added over the top, although this technically makes it more than three ingredients.
Storage
Cover leftover dump cake and refrigerate it for up to 4 days. Because of the fruit filling, it’s best not to leave leftovers at room temperature for an extended period.
For a warm serving, microwave an individual portion for about 20–30 seconds, checking and adding more time if needed. The topping will soften slightly after refrigeration, but the dessert will still be delicious.
What To Serve With 3 Ingredient Dump Cake
This cake is lovely served warm on its own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream is hard to beat when the fruit filling is still slightly warm. Whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a spoonful of lightly sweetened whipped mascarpone would also work nicely, especially with apple or peach versions. For a simpler dessert, serve it with a cup of coffee or tea and let the buttery fruit-and-cake combination speak for itself.
The most important trick with this recipe is to spread the cake mix evenly and distribute the butter as well as you can. Don’t stir the layers together, even if the dry mix looks tempting to mix in.
Letting the cake rest for a few minutes after baking also makes it easier to serve. The fruit filling will settle slightly, while the topping stays pleasantly crisp around the edges.
This 3 Ingredient Dump Cake Recipe is the easiest dessert for busy days! With just three simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a warm, buttery, fruity cake ready to enjoy. It’s simple, comforting, and perfect for a quick weeknight treat or last-minute dessert.
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Prep Time:
5 minutes
Cook Time:
45 minutes
Total Time:
50 minutes
Servings:
12
Ingredients
- 1 can 21 ounces fruit pie filling, such as cherry, apple, peach, or blueberry
- 1 box 15.25 ounces yellow or white cake mix, dry
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add the pie filling to the bottom of the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the fruit. Do not mix the cake mix with the filling.
- Drizzle the melted butter slowly over the entire surface, trying to cover as much of the dry cake mix as possible.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool for 10–15 minutes before serving. The cake will continue to set slightly as it cools.
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