As a bonus for those who love everything from scratch, we also included the topping from scratch so you don't have to use a cake mix if you don't want to!
The 1960s version uses canned pie filling, and everything is dumped in the pan, the cake mix is sprinkled on top then melted butter and baked.
We love our seasonal fruits and this semi-homemade version is super delicious and not sickeningly sweet like the old-fashioned versions.
Still easy to make and the syrup is made in less than 5 minutes just to make a little thickening to it on the stovetop.
Any combinations of fruits can be used in this recipe or cake mix except chocolate.
We have tried yellow, white, lemon, butter pecan, and even strawberry depending on the fruit you choose.
Tropical fruits work terrific with this recipe also we will give you more suggestions below.
So if you are looking for that American dessert by just dumping it into the pan, this is similar but not it.
We also like to add cinnamon and nuts to our version, especially when using apples for that fall treat!
Scroll down to our printable recipe card and make this just the way your family likes it using any of our easy options for dump cake!
Step By Step
- preheat the oven and lightly oil spray a 13 x 9 baking pan
- combine the fruit with cornstarch, sugar, and salt
- sprinkle with cake mix or homemade topping
- drizzle with butter
- bake for 45 minutes
Ingredients You Will Need
(see below for exact measurements on the printable recipe card)
- cake mix or homemade version see the recipe card
- melted butter
- sugar
- cornstarch
- pure vanilla extract
- frozen or fresh fruit that you like
Other Fruit Suggestions
- Blueberries
- Chopped fresh cherries
- Diced Mango
- Chopped Peaches
- Any kind of pie fillings
- Apples diced
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Pears
- Bing pitted cherries
- Fresh chopped figs
Tips
- If you use fresh berries be gentle when mixing
- Any using two cans of pie filling can be used with this recipe if you're in a hurry and want the 1960s version of dump cake
- Always use self-rising flour
- Grated fresh citrus like orange or lemon can be substituted for vanilla
- Extracts can be added for a different flavor in the syrup around 1 teaspoon
- fall fruits or hearty fruits should be tossed in a little lemon juice to prevent browning after dicing like apples, pears etc
- For a festive 4th of July, Memorial or Veterans Day dessert, use blueberries, and red raspberries and top your whipped cream with blueberries for fun
More Recipes We Love
Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Shortcake
Chocolate Skillet Cookie
Hot Milk Cake
Easy Raspberry Oatmeal Bars
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All Year Round Desserts
This recipe is great all year round with any fruits it's sweet, fresh with a delicious cake topping, and the perfect ending to a cookout or picnic lunch.
The recipe is versatile enough to use any kind of fruit frozen so use your favorite in season.
A quick and easy dessert to add to your recipe collection.
Yield: 15
Homemade Easy Dump Cake
Typically dump cake uses canned pie fillings however our version is a Semi Homemade Dump Cake with ingredients that have all fresh fruits not pie filling but still using a cake mix on top.
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 45 MinTotal time: 50 Min
Ingredients
- Semi-Homemade Cake Mix Version:
- 1 cup butter melted
- 3 pounds of fruits fresh (around 4 apples or for berries and diced 3 1//2 cups)
- Note: do not thaw frozen fruits if using
- 1 cup fresh berries or any fresh or frozen berries of your choice (I used fresh blueberries)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- pinch of salt
- Optional 1/2 cup additional pecans chopped see fruit options under notes
- any store-bought cake mix (any flavor except chocolate)
- Homemade Topping Cake Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Topping:
- 3/4 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Oil spray a 13 x 9 baking pan lightly.
- Note: Add the sugar more or less to taste start out with 1/4 cup for more tart fruits add more up to 1/2 cup.
- In a large bowl combine the fruit, sugar cornstarch, and pinch of salt to then add to the baking dish.
- Note: (if you decided to use frozen fruits do not thaw.).
- Sprinkle cake mix on top and pecans if using.
- .Add the melted butter drizzling evenly over the cake mix top.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until browned and crisp on top.
- Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- HOMEMADE DIRECTIONS:
- In a medium-sized bowl combine the flour, sugar, and baking powder with salt.
- As in the cake mix method, sprinkle this over the top of the fruit using and then drizzle with the butter.
- Baking time is the same as using the cake mix.
- Refrigerate any leftovers covered, this can be reheated in the microwave for one minute for serving warm.
- Garnish with ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Tips
- If you use fresh berries be gentle when mixing
- Any using two cans of pie filling can be used with this recipe if you're in a hurry and want the 1960s version of dump cake
- a combination of fruits can be used
- Grated fresh citrus like orange or lemon can be substituted for vanilla
- Extracts can be added for a different flavor in the syrup around 1 teaspoon
- fall fruits or hearty fruits should be tossed in a little lemon juice to prevent browning after dicing like apples, pears, etc
- For a festive 4th of July, Memorial or Veterans Day dessert, use blueberries, and red raspberries and top your whipped cream with blueberries for fun
- store leftovers in the refrigerator covered
Other Fruit Suggestions
- Blueberries
- Chopped fresh cherries
- Diced Mango
- Chopped Peaches
- Any kind of pie fillings
- Apples diced
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Pears
- Bing pitted cherries
- Fresh chopped figs
Nutrition Facts
Calories
371.25Fat (grams)
21.76Sat. Fat (grams)
13.64Carbs (grams)
44.95Fiber (grams)
2.2Net carbs
42.75Sugar (grams)
32.09Protein (grams)
1.85Sodium (milligrams)
242.88Cholesterol (grams)
56.94
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