If you ask me, dump cakes are one of the best dessert shortcuts ever created.
This berry-filled treat combines the ease of a boxed cake mix with the natural sweetness of frozen fruit. The layers of berries and cake mix melt together as they bake, creating a dessert that’s both homey and satisfying.
It’s made by simply dumping frozen berries in a pan, sprinkling dry cake mix on top, and finishing with melted butter. The butter helps create a golden crust while the berries bubble underneath.
It’s a no-fuss dessert that feels like it took way more effort than it did, perfect for those busy days when you need something sweet.
Why You’ll Love This Berry Dump Cake
- Incredibly easy preparation – Just dump, layer, and bake – no mixing bowls, no complicated steps, and barely any cleanup required. It’s perfect for those days when you want homemade dessert without the fuss.
- Budget-friendly dessert – Using basic pantry staples and frozen berries, this cake is much more affordable than fancy bakery desserts, while still tasting like it came from a professional kitchen.
- Year-round availability – Since it uses frozen berries, you can make this cozy dessert any time of year, not just during berry season.
- Customizable recipe – You can use any combination of frozen berries you like or have on hand, making this recipe super flexible and always exciting.
What Kind of Frozen Berries Should I Use?
The beauty of this dump cake is that you can use pretty much any combination of frozen berries you like or have on hand. While the classic mix usually includes strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, you can adjust the ratio based on your preferences. Store-bought berry medley bags work perfectly here, saving you the trouble of buying separate packages. Just make sure your berries aren’t covered in frost or stuck together in one big clump – that’s usually a sign they’ve thawed and refrozen, which can affect their texture and taste. If you’re buying berries individually to mix yourself, I’d suggest using more strawberries and blueberries as your base since they tend to hold their shape better during baking, then adding raspberries and blackberries for extra flavor and color.
Options for Substitutions
This easy dump cake is super adaptable! Here are some simple swaps you can try:
- Frozen berries: Fresh berries work just as well as frozen ones. You can also try other fruits like peaches, cherries, or a mix of apple and cranberries. If using fresh fruit, add 2-3 tablespoons of water to provide the moisture that frozen fruit would release.
- Yellow cake mix: While yellow cake mix is classic, feel free to experiment with white, vanilla, or even spice cake mix. For a fun twist, try chocolate cake mix with cherries! Just avoid angel food cake mix as it won’t work the same way.
- Unsalted butter: Salted butter works fine – just skip any extra salt. You can also use coconut oil for a slight coconut flavor, though butter gives the best results for that classic crispy top.
- Vanilla essence: Try almond extract with cherries, or orange extract with mixed berries. You can also skip it completely – your cake will still taste great!
- White sugar: Brown sugar can add a nice caramel note, or you can use honey or maple syrup (about 1 tablespoon). If your fruit is sweet enough, you might not need any extra sweetener at all.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking
The biggest mistake when making a dump cake is stirring or mixing the ingredients together – this defeats the purpose of this easy dessert and can result in a gummy, dense texture instead of the desired crispy top and juicy bottom. Another common error is using butter that’s too hot or completely melted, which can make the cake mix clump up unevenly; instead, slice cold butter into thin pats and distribute them evenly across the top of the cake mix. To prevent a dry or patchy top layer, make sure the cake mix completely covers the frozen fruit, and if you notice any dry spots during baking, simply drizzle a little melted butter over those areas. For the best texture and flavor, let your dump cake rest for 15-20 minutes after baking – this allows the fruit layer to thicken and makes serving much easier.
What to Serve With Berry Dump Cake?
This warm, fruity dessert is perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts into all those sweet berry pockets! If you’re feeling fancy, try serving it with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or even a scoop of mascarpone for something different. I love to add a little extra fresh berries on the side – they make the plate look nice and add a fresh pop of flavor. For a cozy winter treat, serve it with a cup of hot coffee or tea, or in summer, try it with a glass of cold milk or even a small glass of dessert wine if you’re hosting friends.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Once your berry dump cake has cooled down, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for about 4-5 days, though the topping might lose some of its crispness over time. I actually think it tastes even better the next day when all the berry flavors have had time to mingle!
Freeze: This dump cake is perfect for freezing! Let it cool completely, then wrap it well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can freeze it whole or cut it into portions – whatever works best for your family.
Warm Up: To enjoy your dump cake again, just scoop out what you want and warm it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. If you’re reheating from frozen, let it thaw overnight in the fridge first. Add a fresh scoop of ice cream or whipped cream on top, and it’ll taste just like it’s fresh from the oven!
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 50-60 minutes |
| Total Time | 65-80 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1200-1300
- Protein: 10-15 g
- Fat: 40-50 g
- Carbohydrates: 180-200 g
Ingredients
- 4 cups assorted frozen berries (like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries)
- 1 package yellow cake mix (around 15.25 oz)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence (optional for more flavor)
- 2 tablespoons white sugar (optional for extra sweetness)
- Serve with ice cream or whipped cream (optional).
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
This temperature ensures that your cake will bake evenly.
While the oven heats up, lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
Greasing the dish prevents the cake from sticking and makes it much easier to serve.
Step 2: Layer the Berries
Next, layer the bottom of the prepared baking dish with frozen berries, spreading them out evenly.
If you’re opting for enhanced flavor and sweetness, mix the berries with a bit of vanilla extract and extra sugar before layering them in the dish.
Step 3: Add the Cake Mix
Take the dry cake mix and sprinkle it evenly over the berries.
Ensure that you cover all the berries completely with the cake mix, as this will form a delicious crust when baked.
Step 4: Drizzle with Melted Butter
Melt the butter and then drizzle it evenly over the dry cake mix.
If there are a few dry spots, don’t worry; the butter will spread as the cake bakes, blending everything together.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for about 50-60 minutes.
Watch for the top to turn a nice golden brown and for the berries to bubble around the edges, indicating that the cake is done.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once baked, allow the dump cake to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy it warm, and consider topping it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra special treat.