Description
The Pineapple Upside Down Dump Cake is a charmingly simple yet flavorful dessert that combines sweet pineapple, buttery cake, and caramelized brown sugar with minimal effort. Perfect for last-minute hosting or an easy crowd-pleaser, this moist and buttery cake features a classic, balanced flavor with a delightful caramelized topping and optional festive cherries.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 can (20 oz) pineapple slices, drained
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
- Maraschino cherries (optional), about 8-10
Instructions
- Prepare Your Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to ensure the cake releases easily after baking and the pineapple topping stays intact.
- Layer the Pineapple and Brown Sugar: Drain the pineapple slices well and arrange them evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the pineapple for a perfect caramelized finish.
- Add the Cake Mix: Gently sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the brown sugar and pineapple, covering the fruit without mixing the layers. This preserves the distinct layers that bake together into a unified cake.
- Pour Melted Butter: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix to moisten it and help form a golden, crisp top and edges during baking.
- Add Optional Cherries: Place maraschino cherries spaced evenly on top of the batter for a festive and colorful decoration.
- Bake and Cool: Bake the cake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 minutes or until the edges bubble and turn golden. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes to let flavors meld and make slicing easier.
Notes
- Use room temperature melted butter for even distribution and to avoid clumping.
- Do not mix layers; keep the “dump” cake method intact to preserve contrasting textures and flavors.
- Check for doneness starting at 40 minutes to prevent overbaking, as ovens vary.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving for cleaner slices and more vibrant flavors.
- Serve warm to highlight buttery richness or at room temperature to enjoy the juicy pineapple best.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: pineapple upside down cake, dump cake, easy dessert, pineapple cake, caramelized dessert, last-minute dessert, crowd-pleaser