Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe

Cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans combine into a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert in this Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake.

Cherry Dump Cake with Pineapple, Coconut, and Pecans

This Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake is a wonderfully simple dessert that marries tart cherry pie filling with bright, juicy crushed pineapple. A box of yellow cake mix becomes the crunchy topping, while sweetened coconut and toasted pecans add texture and a hint of nuttiness. It’s the kind of easy, comforting dessert that’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or any night you want something delicious without a long ingredient list or complicated steps.

There’s a time for elaborate recipes, and there’s also a time for a recipe you can put together in minutes and bake while you get on with other things. Dump cakes are one of those lifesavers: no mixing bowl, no frosting, and no fuss. This version combines flavors that work well together—cherry, pineapple, coconut, and pecans—for a tropical-tinged classic that feels festive and familiar at once.

The coconut and pecans toast in the oven, creating crisp, golden pockets atop the cake mix that are slightly chewy and very flavorful—almost reminiscent of coconut macaroons with the added crunch of pecans. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream and a few extra cherries for a simple finish that looks special.

How to Make Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

Below are the ingredients and straightforward assembly steps for this easy dump cake. No mixing required—just layer everything and bake.

• 1 can cherry pie filling (about 21 ounces) or an equivalent batch of homemade cherry filling
• 1 can crushed pineapple in juice (about 20 ounces), undrained
• 1 box yellow cake mix (about 15.25 ounces)
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

Assembly and baking:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Spread the cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of a 13×9-inch (33×23 cm) baking pan.
• Spoon the undrained crushed pineapple over the cherries so the fruit layers are even.
• Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the fruit to create a uniform layer.
• Evenly distribute the shredded coconut and chopped pecans on top of the cake mix.
• Drizzle the melted butter over the entire surface so it soaks through the cake mix.
• Bake for 45–60 minutes, until the top is golden and the fruit mixture bubbles at the edges.

Tips and variations:

• If you prefer less sweetness, choose unsweetened coconut or reduce the coconut to 1/2 cup.
• Swap the pecans for walnuts or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
• For a more pronounced tropical flavor, add a teaspoon of coconut extract to the melted butter before drizzling.
• Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and garnish with maraschino cherries for a festive touch.
• Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.

More Dump Cake Recipes to Try

If you enjoy this Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake, try other dump-cake variations that follow the same easy format: layer fruit, sprinkle cake mix, add mix-ins, and pour butter on top. Popular flavors include Apple Dump Cake, Banana Split Dump Cake, Pumpkin Crunch Cake, and Easy Peach Cobbler—each made with pantry-friendly ingredients and minimal prep.

Recipe Details

Recipe: Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
Prep time: about 10 minutes
Cook time: 45–60 minutes
Total time: about 1 hour
Servings: about 10

Ingredients

• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
• 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
• 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a 13×9-inch baking pan, spread the cherry pie filling in an even layer. Top with the undrained crushed pineapple.
3. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the fruit. Distribute the shredded coconut and chopped pecans across the top.
4. Drizzle the melted butter over the surface so the cake mix is moistened.
5. Bake 45–60 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition (approximate)

Calories: 575 kcal. Carbohydrates: 74 g. Protein: 4 g. Fat: 31 g. Sugar: 35 g. (Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline.)

If you try this Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake, serve it warm and enjoy the contrast of tart cherries, sweet pineapple, and toasty coconut and pecans. It’s an effortless dessert that looks and tastes like you spent much more time on it than you did.