Crock Pot Tropical Dump Cake

When I started dating my husband, I had never heard of dump cake…so when he mentioned it one time, I looked at him like he was crazy. I mean, dump cake? Who thinks that sounds good?

Now, 15 years later, it's me. I do. How did I go that long without knowing what dump cake was? It's just the best and easiest recipe ever!

What is a dump cake?

Dump cakes are similar to a cobbler or a crisp, but I think they're easier to make. They involve a process of layering a filling (apple or cherry pie filling is often used) with dry cake mix and butter (some use melted butter, I prefer unmelted). When you bake it, everything kind of cooks together for this great combination of almost crunchy cake and warm, gooey filling.

There are as many flavor combinations as you can imagine. I've seen peach dump cake, apple dump cake (with apple pie filling and pecans, so yummy), blueberry dump cake, and even strawberry dump cake. If you can think of it, you can make it!

You'll typically see this done with just a basic pie filling and yellow cake mix. However, for this recipe, I wanted to switch it up a little to something I had never heard of.

The original version of this tropical dump cake recipe is one of the oldest on my blog and has been super popular over the years. However, I noticed not long ago that several of the ingredients I used in the old recipe weren't really readily available anymore. (Who knew orange cake mix and canned tropical fruit weren't that common now?) So, I rewrote this recipe a little bit to fit some of the more common flavors available now...and I think it might actually be better!

Crock Pot Dump Cakes

I also added in the element of cooking the dump cake in your Crock Pot slow cooker. Why cook a dump cake in the crock pot? Simplicity! This trick really simplified the preparation process - now it's as simple as dumping and pushing a few buttons.

Let's take a look at this easy dump cake recipe that I think y'all will love.

Ingredients

• 20 oz can of cubed pineapple, mostly drained (crushed pineapple would work too)
• 15 oz can of peaches, mostly drained
• 8 oz jar of maraschino cherries, mostly drained
• 2 tablespoon corn starch
• 2 tablespoon sugar
• 1 package (18.25 oz) lemon cake mix
• 1.5 sticks of butter
• ½ cup instant oatmeal

Step 1: Add fruits

First, drain most (maybe 80%) of the juice from the pineapple, peaches, and cherries. Dump all three canned fruits in a Crock Pot slow cooker.

Sprinkle corn starch and sugar over the fruit. Mix in until there are no lumps.

Step 2: Add cake mix

Pour the cake mix over the fruit. (Don't stir.) Pour the oatmeal over the cake mix and lightly mix it in to the cake mix with your fingers.

Step 3: Add butter

Slice the butter into ½" pats and place evenly over the top of the cake mix. (This is where the "trust the process" part of this recipe comes in...it works, I promise!)

Step 4: Set Crock Pot

Set your slow cooker to low, 4 hours. Cake will be finished when ends are cooked and fruit filling is slightly bubbling out. (Note: can be cooked in the oven if needed at 350 degrees for 50 minutes to an hour. Just used a baking dish instead and bake until golden brown.)

How to Serve

I love serving this dump cake with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's the perfect complement to the dessert! It would also be great topped with whipped cream.

I think this dessert is best served warm (not hot). If needed, you can reheat in the microwave before serving. My kids actually prefer it cold though, so try it both ways!

Video

More Summer Desserts

Hope you enjoy this tasty summer treat! Love easy summer desserts? You might like the following recipes...

• ​Shortcut Tres Leches Cake​
• ​Lemon Cream Cheese Bars​
• ​Easy Sherbet Punch Recipe​

To see more of my easy dessert recipes, click here.