Cherry Pineapple Cabana Dump Cake: A Tropical Dessert Dream!

Craving a taste of the tropics without the fuss? Look no further than this incredibly easy and utterly delicious Cherry Pineapple Cabana Dump Cake! This recipe is a total game-changer for busy bakers and anyone who loves a sweet treat with minimal effort. It’s a dump cake, which means you literally ‘dump’ the ingredients into a pan, bake, and voila! You have a mouthwatering dessert that will impress your friends and family. The combination of sweet cherries, tangy pineapple, and coconut flakes creates a flavor explosion that will transport you to a sunny beach cabana with every bite.

This recipe is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or any occasion where you need a quick and crowd-pleasing dessert. It’s also incredibly customizable, so feel free to experiment with different fruit combinations and toppings to create your own unique version.

Let’s dive into the ingredients and the simple steps to make this delightful Cherry Pineapple Cabana Dump Cake!

**What is a Dump Cake?**

Before we start, let’s quickly define what a dump cake is. A dump cake is a type of cake where you literally ‘dump’ all the ingredients into a baking pan, usually without mixing them beforehand. The dry cake mix is typically sprinkled over canned fruit and then topped with melted butter. As it bakes, the butter melts into the cake mix and fruit, creating a moist and delicious dessert with a slightly crispy topping. Dump cakes are incredibly easy to make and require minimal cleanup, making them a favorite among busy bakers.

**Why You’ll Love This Recipe**

* **Easy to Make:** This recipe requires minimal effort and ingredients. It’s perfect for beginner bakers or anyone who wants a quick and easy dessert.
* **Delicious Flavor:** The combination of cherries, pineapple, and coconut creates a tropical flavor that is both refreshing and satisfying.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adapt this recipe to your liking by adding different fruits, nuts, or spices.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** This dump cake is always a hit at parties and potlucks.
* **Minimal Cleanup:** Since you’re just dumping the ingredients into a pan, there’s very little cleanup involved.

**Ingredients You’ll Need**

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need:

* **1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained:** Don’t drain the pineapple! The juice adds moisture to the cake and helps to create a delicious, syrupy texture.
* **1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling:** This provides the sweet cherry flavor and adds a beautiful color to the cake.
* **1 (18.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix:** You can use any brand of yellow cake mix you prefer. White cake mix will also work well, offering a slightly different, but equally delicious flavor profile.
* **¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, melted:** The melted butter adds richness and helps to create a crispy topping. You can also use salted butter; just omit any added salt in the recipe.
* **1 cup sweetened shredded coconut:** This adds a tropical flavor and a slightly chewy texture to the cake.
* **Optional Toppings:**
* Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream: For serving.
* Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts): For added crunch and flavor.
* Maraschino cherries: For garnish.
* A sprinkle of cinnamon: to add some warmth and depth to the flavour profile

**Equipment**

* **9×13 inch baking dish:** This is the perfect size for this recipe.
* **Measuring cups and spoons:** For accurate measuring of ingredients.
* **Mixing bowl (optional):** If you want to mix the dry cake mix before adding it to the pan.
* **Spatula or spoon:** For spreading the ingredients evenly.

**Step-by-Step Instructions**

Now for the fun part! Here’s how to make this Cherry Pineapple Cabana Dump Cake:

1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for ensuring that the cake bakes evenly.

2. **Prepare the Baking Dish:** Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. This will prevent the cake from sticking to the pan. You can also line the bottom of the dish with parchment paper for easier removal.

3. **Add the Fruit:** Pour the undrained crushed pineapple into the prepared baking dish. Spread it evenly over the bottom of the dish.

4. **Add the Cherry Pie Filling:** Spoon the cherry pie filling over the crushed pineapple. Spread it evenly so that it covers the pineapple. You want a nice, even distribution of the cherry filling for consistent flavor in every bite.

5. **Sprinkle the Cake Mix:** Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the cherry pie filling. Try to cover the entire surface of the fruit with the cake mix. You can use a fork or your fingers to break up any clumps in the cake mix and ensure an even layer. Don’t mix it in!

6. **Drizzle with Melted Butter:** Pour the melted butter evenly over the cake mix. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the cake mix with butter. This will help to create a crispy topping and moisten the cake mix. Try to drizzle as evenly as possible to avoid dry spots.

7. **Sprinkle with Coconut:** Sprinkle the sweetened shredded coconut over the melted butter. Again, try to distribute it evenly for a consistent coconut flavor throughout the cake.

8. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly. A toothpick inserted into the center of the cake (if you can find a spot without fruit) should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

9. **Cool:** Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. This will allow the cake to set up and prevent it from being too gooey.

10. **Serve:** Serve warm or at room temperature. You can top it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. Garnish with chopped nuts, maraschino cherries, or a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.

**Tips for Success**

* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaking can result in a dry cake. Keep an eye on the cake and remove it from the oven as soon as the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly.
* **Use Quality Ingredients:** Using high-quality ingredients will result in a better-tasting cake.
* **Don’t Skip the Butter:** The melted butter is essential for creating a crispy topping and moistening the cake mix.
* **Experiment with Flavors:** Feel free to experiment with different fruit combinations and toppings to create your own unique version of this dump cake.
* **Let it Cool:** Allowing the cake to cool slightly before serving will allow it to set up and prevent it from being too gooey.

**Variations and Substitutions**

One of the best things about this recipe is how versatile it is. Here are some variations and substitutions you can try:

* **Different Fruits:** Try using other canned fruits, such as peaches, apples, blueberries, or cranberries. You can also use a combination of different fruits. For example, try a peach and blueberry dump cake or an apple and cranberry dump cake.
* **Different Cake Mixes:** Experiment with different flavors of cake mix, such as chocolate, spice, or lemon. A chocolate cake mix with cherry pie filling would be a delicious combination.
* **Nuts:** Add chopped nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds, to the cake mix or sprinkle them on top before baking.
* **Spices:** Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the cake mix for added flavor.
* **Extracts:** Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract, almond extract, or lemon extract to the cake mix for a more intense flavor.
* **Sugar-Free Version:** Use sugar-free cake mix and sugar-free fruit fillings for a healthier version of this dessert.
* **Dairy-Free Version:** Use dairy-free butter substitute and coconut milk ice cream or whipped cream for a dairy-free version.
* **Add a Crumble Topping:** For an extra crispy topping, mix together some flour, butter, and sugar and sprinkle it over the cake before baking. You can also add some oats or nuts to the crumble topping.

**Serving Suggestions**

This Cherry Pineapple Cabana Dump Cake is delicious on its own, but it’s even better when served with:

* **Whipped Cream:** A dollop of whipped cream adds a light and airy touch.
* **Vanilla Ice Cream:** Vanilla ice cream is a classic pairing with this cake.
* **Coconut Ice Cream:** For an extra tropical flavor, try serving it with coconut ice cream.
* **Chopped Nuts:** Sprinkle with chopped nuts for added crunch and flavor.
* **Maraschino Cherries:** Garnish with maraschino cherries for a festive touch.
* **A drizzle of Caramel Sauce:** Adds a rich and decadent touch.
* **Fresh Berries:** Adds a fresh and vibrant element, especially in the summer.

**Make Ahead and Storage Instructions**

* **Make Ahead:** You can assemble the dump cake ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap.
* **Storage:** Store leftover dump cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.

**Troubleshooting**

* **Cake is too dry:** Make sure you are using undrained canned fruit and enough melted butter. You can also try adding a tablespoon of water to the cake mix before baking.
* **Cake is too gooey:** Make sure you are not overbaking the cake. If the cake is still gooey in the center, bake it for a few more minutes.
* **Topping is not crispy:** Make sure you are using enough melted butter and that it is evenly distributed over the cake mix. You can also try broiling the cake for a minute or two at the end of baking to crisp up the topping.
* **Cake is sticking to the pan:** Make sure you are greasing the baking dish well before adding the ingredients. You can also line the bottom of the dish with parchment paper.

**Nutritional Information (Approximate)**

* Calories: 350-450 per serving (depending on toppings)
* Fat: 15-25g
* Saturated Fat: 10-15g
* Cholesterol: 50-70mg
* Sodium: 200-300mg
* Carbohydrates: 50-60g
* Sugar: 30-40g
* Protein: 3-5g

*Note: This is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients you use.*

**A Few More Tips**

* If you’re using a glass baking dish, reduce the oven temperature by 25°F (15°C) to prevent cracking.
* For a more intense coconut flavor, toast the shredded coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown before adding it to the cake.
* If you don’t have yellow cake mix, you can use white cake mix or even a different flavor like lemon or chocolate.
* Don’t be afraid to experiment with different extracts! A little almond extract or rum extract can add a delicious twist to the flavor profile.
* Get creative with your toppings! A drizzle of melted white chocolate or a sprinkle of rainbow sprinkles can add a fun and festive touch.
* This dump cake is also delicious served with a scoop of sorbet. Raspberry or mango sorbet would be a great complement to the tropical flavors.
* For an extra touch of elegance, dust the cake with powdered sugar before serving.
* Make sure your butter is fully melted before drizzling it over the cake mix. This will help to ensure an even distribution and prevent dry spots.
* If you’re making this cake for a party, consider cutting it into smaller squares or rectangles for easier serving.
* This recipe is a great way to use up any leftover canned fruit or cake mix you have on hand.
* Don’t be afraid to get the kids involved in making this cake! It’s a fun and easy recipe that they can help with.
* The beauty of this recipe is that it’s almost impossible to mess up. So relax, have fun, and enjoy the process!
* Consider adding a layer of cream cheese filling for an extra decadent treat. Simply mix together cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, and spread it over the fruit before adding the cake mix.
* If you’re a fan of streusel toppings, you can easily add one to this dump cake. Mix together flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon, and sprinkle it over the cake mix before baking.
* For a richer flavor, use brown butter instead of melted butter. To make brown butter, cook the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns golden brown and smells nutty.
* This dump cake is also delicious served cold. Simply refrigerate it for a few hours before serving.
* If you’re looking for a unique dessert to bring to a potluck or party, this Cherry Pineapple Cabana Dump Cake is sure to be a hit!

**Final Thoughts**

This Cherry Pineapple Cabana Dump Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration of simplicity and flavor. It’s a reminder that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create something truly delicious. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and bake up a little bit of tropical paradise today! Enjoy!