A dump cake, also known as a dump dessert, is a type of dessert made by dumping ingredients into a pan and baking. Some key features of a dump cake include:
- Very simple to make, with no mixing or blending required
- Typically uses canned fruits, cake mix, and butter or margarine
- Ingredients are layered on top of each other in a pan
- Requires very little prep work compared to other desserts
So why is it called a “dump” cake? There are a few different theories behind the terminology:
Theory 1: Dumping in the ingredients
The most straightforward explanation is that it’s called a dump cake because you dump the ingredients into a pan. Rather than creaming butter and sugar, mixing a batter, or rolling out dough, dump cakes simply involve dumping in canned pie filling, dry cake mix, butter slices, and any other ingredients.
Dumping the ingredients is quicker, easier, and requires less effort compared to mixing and prepping a traditional cake. So the descriptive name refers to the assembly method.
Theory 2: Using leftover ingredients
Another idea is that dump cakes were traditionally made using leftovers and ingredients you had on hand. Home bakers would dump the remaining bits of fruit, nuts, cake mix, etc. into a pan to avoid waste and make a quick and easy dessert.
The dumped or thrown together ingredients were likely not measured precisely. So the name may indicate its origin as an informal cake made from whatever you needed to dump or use up in your pantry.
Theory 3: Cowboy desserts
There is a theory that dump cakes first became popular in the American West among cowboys and settlers. On cattle drives or at the end of the day, cowboys needed something simple, fast and portable.
Dumping canned fruit, biscuit dough, and sweetener into Dutch ovens fit the bill. The terminology may reference how cowboys carelessly “dumped” in the ingredients to make an easy cobbler or cake.
Theory 4: French Appalachian roots
Some trace dump cakes back to French Appalachian influences. French settlers in states like Kentucky and Tennessee reportedly crafted simple desserts with foraged berries and leftover breadcrumbs or dough.
These primitive layered desserts were the origin of modern dump cakes. The “dumping” description evolved from the French word “tompe,” which meant to fall or dump. So the name may have French roots that morphed into “dump cake” over time.
Theory 5: African American origins
There are indications that dump cakes have origins in African American kitchens during slavery. Enslaved people had to cook with castoff ingredients and couldn’t waste food.
Dumping surplus flour, plantation milk or cream, molasses, and berries or fruit into pans resulted in simple cakes. The rudimentary layering technique and use of available ingredients led to them becoming known as dump cakes.
Theory 6: Farmhouse desserts
Dump cakes are also said to have possible ties to thrifty farmhouse cooks. Pioneers and farming families had access to fresh dairy along with fruit preserves they canned themselves.
Rural bakers would take biscuit dough leftover from breakfast and dump milk, butter, and preserves on top to create an easy cake dessert without much fuss or preparation. The simple farmhouse method described how it was carelessly “dumped” together.
Theory 7: Lazy cake name
There is a possibility that dump cake has origins as a lazy cake. A lazy cake refers to a straightforward cake made with little effort.
Since dump cakes require no mixing and minimal prep work compared to most cakes, they became known as lazy cakes. The dumping method was seen as lazy or taking shortcuts. So some think “dump cake” evolved from “lazy cake” as an homage to its ease and speed.
Common dump cake ingredients
While specific recipes can vary, here are some of the most common ingredients found in dump cakes:
- Canned fruit (e.g. pineapple, cherry, apple, etc.)
- Cake mix (yellow, white, or spice cake)
- Butter or margarine
- Pineapple juice or milk
- Sugar, brown sugar, or cinnamon
- Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds)
The basic formula often includes dumping canned fruit on the bottom, then cake mix, and sliced butter or margarine on top before baking to create a cobbler-like cake. But ingredients can be layered in any order, and extras like spices, sugars, juices or extract are optional.
Popular dump cake recipes
While any fruit and cake mix combination will work, here are some of the most popular dump cake recipes:
Cherry dump cake
- Can of cherry pie filling
- Yellow or white cake mix
- Melted butter
- Chopped almonds (optional)
Blueberry dump cake
- Fresh or frozen blueberries
- Lemon cake mix
- Butter
- Sprinkle of cinnamon
Apple dump cake
- Apples, peeled and chopped
- Spice cake mix
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
Pineapple upside down dump cake
- Pineapple slices
- Maraschino cherries
- Yellow cake mix
- Butter
- Brown sugar
Peach cobbler dump cake
- Peach pie filling
- Yellow cake mix
- Butter
- Ground cinnamon
- Chopped pecans
The combinations are endless! Use your favorite fruits, nuts, juices or extracts to customize your own dump cake recipe.
Tips for making the perfect dump cake
Follow these tips to ensure your dump cake turns out moist and delicious every time:
- Grease the baking pan – Lightly coat with butter or nonstick spray so the cake won’t stick.
- Evenly spread fruit – Get even coverage on the bottom.
- Completely cover fruit – Ensure cake mix layer is thorough with no gaps.
- Distribute butter slices – Place pats of butter over the top before baking.
- Don’t overmix – Just dump, no stirring! Let the layers stay separate.
- Check for doneness – Insert a toothpick to test, not just cooking time.
- Cool before serving – Let the cake rest for 30 minutes before cutting.
Following these simple tips will help you bake a picture-perfect dump cake every time.
Why are dump cakes so good?
Dump cakes have remained popular for decades, and for good reason. Here’s why they are so delicious:
- Simple – Nearly anyone can make a dump cake, even kids and beginners.
- Fast – Prepare and assemble a dump cake in just 10 minutes.
- Versatile – Endless flavor combinations suit any taste.
- Comforting – The simple goodness brings back childhood memories.
- Satisfying – Who doesn’t love fruit and cake together?
- Impressive – Looks and tastes gourmet with little effort.
- Shareable – Easy to transport and serve to a crowd.
Dump cakes have stood the test of time thanks to their crowd-pleasing deliciousness and sheer simplicity. It’s easy to see why they remain so popular today.
Dump cake variations
While the classic dump cake involves fruit, cake mix and butter, there are plenty of ways to customize and tweak the basic formula:
- Substitute juice, soda, milk or alcohol for some of the canned fruit juice
- Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger
- Use different extracts like almond, vanilla, lemon
- Top with crushed cookies, graham crackers or nuts
- Frost or glaze after baking for extra decadence
- Mix and match fruits like peaches and blueberries
- Swap out the cake mix for brownie mix or angel food
- Fold in chocolate chips, shredded coconut or marshmallows
Feel free to get creative and experiment with flavors. The great thing about dump cakes is that it’s nearly impossible to mess them up!
Dump cake cooking tips
| Tip | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Use fresh fruit when possible | Fresh fruit has the best flavor and texture |
| Toss fruit in flour | Keeps fruit from sinking to the bottom |
| Spread fruit evenly | Prevents dry pockets |
| Don’t overmix | Creates a soggy cake |
| Layer ingredients don’t stir | Helps distinct layers form |
| Let cake fully cool | Makes slicing easier |
Follow these tips when assembling and baking your dump cake to get ideal results in texture and flavor every time.
Dump cake pairing ideas
Dump cakes pair deliciously with lots of flavors. Some tasty combinations include:
- Vanilla ice cream – The cool creaminess complements warm cake.
- Whipped cream – Lightens up the richness.
- Caramel sauce – Adds a touch of sweetness.
- Milk – Tames sweeter fruits and brings out subtle flavors.
- Coffee – Cuts through richness.
- Tea – Herbal varieties like chamomile complement gentler fruits.
- Spiced rum – Brings warmth to spice cakes.
- Brandy – Elevates flavors in dried fruit cakes.
Experiment to find your favorite combinations that make the dump cake even more scrumptious.
Dump cake popularity
Dump cakes have maintained devoted fans for generations. Here are some reasons why they continue to be so popular:
- Quick and easy – Prep and bake a dump cake on a busy weeknight in under an hour.
- Budget-friendly – Inexpensive ingredients keep costs low.
- Kid-friendly – Fun to help assemble and customize.
- Satisfying – The symphony of flavors and textures hits the spot.
- Comforting – Evokes nostalgia and memories of childhood.
- Shareable – Easy to transport and serve a crowd.
- Endlessly variable – Open to any flavor combination you can dream up.
For those reasons and more, dump cakes have stood the test of time. They will likely continue satisfying sweet tooths for generations to come.
Dump cake storage
Dump cakes stay fresh covered at room temperature for 2-3 days. For longer storage:
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil.
- Refrigerate for 5-7 days.
- Freeze individual slices up to 3 months.
- Wrap sliced pieces in plastic then foil.
- Freeze unfrosted cakes up to 3 months.
- Double wrap cake layers first in plastic then foil.
- Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
With proper storage techniques, you can enjoy dump cake slices for up to several months.
Dump cake inspiration
Need a little dump cake inspiration? Here are creative flavor combinations to try:
- Lemon blueberry with lemon cake mix and zest
- Peach melba with raspberries and almond extract
- Apple pie using apple pie spice
- Tropical with pineapple, mango and coconut
- S’mores with marshmallows and chocolate chips
- Elvis – peanut butter, banana and bacon
- Snickerdoodle with cinnamon cake mix and sugar topping
- Neapolitan with strawberries, chocolate chips and vanilla
Let seasonal fruits, favorite flavors and creativity guide you to endless dump cake possibilities!
Conclusion
Dump cakes earn their humble name from the simple dumping technique used to assemble them. But their sweet layered flavors provide maximum taste with minimal effort. Just open a few cans, dump in ingredients, and let the oven do the rest. From fast weeknight treats to portable crowd-pleasers, dump cakes will always deserve a place at the dessert table.