There are some desserts that feel fancy and impressive, and then there are desserts that feel like pure comfort. Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake belongs to the second kind. It feels easy, joyful, and a little nostalgic — the kind of dessert that makes women gather in the kitchen with coffee cups in hand, talking and laughing while something sweet bakes in the oven.
Hi, I’m INAYA, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. Cooking has been part of my life since I was a child, learning from my grandmother how to make traditional Greek dishes full of love and flavor. I believe food brings people together, especially women who want to share warmth and happiness through cooking.
I like to keep things simple but tasty, mixing classic recipes with a little creativity. Sometimes my kitchen gets messy, but that’s where the fun is! Whether you’re new to cooking or have some experience, I’m here to help you enjoy making delicious meals that feel like home.
Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.
When I first made Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake, I remember thinking how funny the name sounded. “Dump” cake? It didn’t sound elegant at all. But the moment I pulled it from the oven, golden on top and bubbling underneath, I understood its magic. This Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake smelled like sunshine. It looked like summer. And it tasted like happiness.
I love making Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake when I want something effortless but still impressive. The strawberries melt into the pineapple, creating this sweet, slightly tangy base. The cake mix on top turns buttery and crisp. Every spoonful feels warm, fruity, and comforting.
Let me show you how I make my Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake at home.
Why I Love Making This Recipe
I love Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake because it feels carefree. I don’t need mixers. I don’t need special skills. I simply layer, bake, and wait. That’s it.
As a woman who grew up cooking from scratch, I appreciate simple recipes. My grandmother taught me patience and technique, but she also taught me something more important — cook with love, not stress. Some days we roll phyllo dough by hand. Other days we open a can of pineapple and make something sweet and joyful.
Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake gives me:
- A dessert ready in minutes
- Minimal dishes to wash
- A tropical flavor that brightens any table
- A guaranteed smile from my family
When I serve this cake, I see comfort in everyone’s eyes. The fruity bottom becomes soft and jammy. The top becomes golden and slightly crisp. It reminds me that food doesn’t need to be complicated to be special.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
Here’s everything I use for my Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake:
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
- 1 can (21 oz) strawberry pie filling
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Now let me share my little secrets.
First, I never drain the pineapple. The juice helps create that soft, bubbling fruit layer. If I drain it, the cake turns dry underneath.
Second, I spread everything gently and evenly. I don’t mix the layers. I let them stay separate so they bake into beautiful textures.
Third, I use real butter. I melt half and slice the other half thinly. This trick helps cover more of the cake mix, so I don’t get dry powder spots.
If I want a little extra warmth, I sprinkle cinnamon on top. If I want crunch, I add pecans. Sometimes I even add shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
Simple ingredients. Big comfort.
How I Make It, Step by Step
I always start by preheating my oven to 175°C (350°F). I lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- I pour the crushed pineapple with all its juice into the bottom of the dish. I spread it evenly.
- I spoon the strawberry pie filling over the pineapple. I gently spread it without mixing.
- I sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the fruit layers. I make sure I cover everything completely.
- I melt one stick of butter and drizzle it slowly over the cake mix.
- I slice the second stick of butter thinly and place the slices across the top to cover dry spots.
- I sprinkle pecans and cinnamon if I use them.
- I bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the fruit bubbles around the edges.
When I pull the Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake from the oven, I let it rest for 15 minutes. The fruit thickens slightly as it cools.
The smell fills my kitchen with sweet strawberry and buttery warmth. That moment feels magical every time.
How I Serve It at Home
I love serving Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake warm. I scoop it with a big spoon instead of slicing it neatly. This dessert doesn’t need perfect edges. It needs generosity.
Sometimes I add:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Fresh whipped cream
- A few fresh strawberry slices
- A light dusting of powdered sugar
When my friends visit, we sit around the table with tea or coffee, and I bring the baking dish straight to the center. We talk, laugh, and take seconds without shame.
In summer, I serve it slightly cooled. In winter, I warm it gently and let the butter soften again. It feels different in each season, but it always feels comforting.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
If I have leftovers, I cover the dish tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, I place a portion in the microwave for about 25 seconds. If I reheat the whole dish, I warm it in a 150°C (300°F) oven until heated through.
I sometimes prepare Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake ahead of time for gatherings. I assemble everything in the dish, cover it, and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. When guests arrive, I bake it fresh. The house smells incredible, and everyone feels welcomed.
I don’t recommend freezing it, because the fruit texture changes too much.
100-Word Short Version
Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake is an easy, fruity dessert made by layering crushed pineapple, strawberry pie filling, dry cake mix, and butter in a baking dish. I bake it until golden and bubbling for a sweet, tropical treat that feels comforting and simple. I serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. This dump cake requires minimal effort but delivers big flavor with juicy fruit underneath and a buttery crisp topping. It’s perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or cozy evenings at home when you want something sweet without stress.
Recipe Card
⏱️ Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
- 1 can (21 oz) strawberry pie filling
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread crushed pineapple with juice evenly in the dish.
- Spoon strawberry pie filling over pineapple without mixing.
- Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over fruit.
- Drizzle melted butter over cake mix.
- Add thin slices of remaining butter across the top.
- Sprinkle pecans and cinnamon if desired.
- Bake 45–50 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Cool 15 minutes before serving.
📝 Notes
- Do not stir the layers.
- Use real butter for best flavor.
- Add coconut for extra tropical flavor.
- Store in refrigerator up to 4 days.
🍽️ Nutrition (per serving, approximate)
Calories: 320
Carbohydrates: 45g
Sugar: 28g
Fat: 15g
Protein: 3g
Sodium: 320mg
Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake is the easiest tropical-style dessert I make when I want big flavor with almost no effort. Sweet strawberry filling and juicy crushed pineapple bubble into a jammy layer while a buttery yellow cake topping turns golden and crisp. It’s perfect for potlucks, family dinners, and cozy weekends—especially served warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice (do not drain)
- 1 can (21 oz) strawberry pie filling
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 225 g) unsalted butter (1 stick melted + 1 stick thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- Pinch of salt (optional, helps balance sweetness)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pour the crushed pineapple with its juice into the dish and spread into an even layer.
- Spoon the strawberry pie filling over the pineapple and spread gently. Do not stir the layers.
- Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the fruit, covering the surface completely.
- Drizzle 1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter evenly over the cake mix.
- Slice the remaining 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter very thin and scatter the slices across the top to cover any dry spots.
- If using, sprinkle pecans and cinnamon over the top.
- Bake 45–50 minutes, until the top is deeply golden and the fruit is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool 15 minutes before serving so the filling thickens slightly.
Notes
Butter coverage is the secret—thin slices help prevent dry patches of cake mix. For a less-sweet version, use strawberry pie filling labeled “no sugar added” or swap in 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries tossed with 2–3 tbsp sugar and 1 tbsp cornstarch. Add shredded coconut for extra tropical flavor. Store leftovers covered in the fridge up to 4 days. Reheat single servings 20–30 seconds in the microwave or warm the dish in a 300°F (150°C) oven until heated through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: B
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Conclusion
Every time I bake Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake, I feel like I’m sharing a little sunshine from my kitchen. It doesn’t require perfection. It doesn’t demand skill. It only asks for simple ingredients and a little love.
I believe desserts like this bring women together. We don’t gather just to eat. We gather to talk, to laugh, to share our days. A warm spoonful of Strawberry Pineapple Dump Cake feels like comfort after a long week. It feels like celebration on an ordinary day.
If your kitchen gets messy while making it, smile. That means you’re creating memories. And that, to me, matters more than anything.
Come back anytime. My oven is always warm for you. 💛
