Fluffy Fruit Cocktail Dump Cake

Growing up, I thought dump cakes were just what happened when you messed up a regular cake recipe. My mom would laugh and tell me that’s not quite right – dump cakes are actually the easiest desserts you can make. She’d open a few cans of fruit cocktail, dump in a cake mix, add some butter, and that was it.

You know what? Mom was onto something there. This fruit cocktail dump cake is about as simple as baking gets – no mixing bowls to wash, no complicated steps to follow. Just grab your ingredients, layer them in a pan, and let the oven do all the work. It’s the kind of recipe that’s perfect for those days when you want something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

What Kind of Fruit Cocktail Should I Use?

When it comes to fruit cocktail for this dump cake, any brand from your grocery store will work just fine. Most canned fruit cocktails contain a mix of peaches, pears, grapes, pineapple, and cherries swimming in light syrup. While the name brand options like Del Monte or Dole are popular choices, store brands work equally well in this recipe. If you’re watching your sugar intake, look for fruit cocktail packed in juice rather than syrup – though keep in mind this might make your cake slightly less sweet. Just make sure to drain off some of the liquid before adding the fruit to your cake, as too much liquid can make the final result soggy.

Options for Substitutions

This super simple dump cake can be customized with several easy swaps:

• Fruit cocktail: Don’t have fruit cocktail? You can use any canned fruit like peaches, pears, or cherries – just make sure you have about 45-48 ounces total (including juice). Fresh fruit works too, but you’ll need to add about 1/2 cup of juice or water since canned fruit liquid helps create the right consistency.
• Cake mix: While yellow or butter cake mix works best, you can use white cake mix too. For a different spin, try vanilla, French vanilla, or even spice cake mix. Just avoid chocolate or other strongly flavored varieties that might clash with the fruit.
• Butter: If you only have salted butter, that’s fine – just use it as is. You can also substitute margarine, though the texture might be slightly different. Some people even use coconut oil, which adds a subtle tropical flavor to the cake.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making fruit cocktail dump cake is not draining the fruit properly – while you want some juice for moisture, too much liquid will make your cake soupy, so drain about half of the syrup from the cans.

Another common error is placing the butter unevenly or using melted butter – instead, slice cold butter into thin pats and distribute them evenly across the top of the cake mix to ensure consistent browning and prevent dry patches.

The temptation to stir all the layers together is strong, but resist it – layering the ingredients (fruit on bottom, dry cake mix in middle, butter on top) is what creates that perfect contrast between the moist fruit base and crispy buttery top.

For extra insurance against dry spots, gently press down any areas of exposed cake mix with a fork to make sure they come in contact with either fruit juice or butter.

What to Serve With Fruit Cocktail Dump Cake?

This sweet and fruity dessert is begging to be served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top – the way the ice cream melts into the warm cake is just perfect! If you’re not in the mood for ice cream, a dollop of freshly whipped cream or even Cool Whip works great too. Since this is such a sweet dessert, I like to serve it with a cup of black coffee or unsweetened tea to balance things out. For special occasions, you can dress it up by adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top or serving it alongside some fresh berries.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Once your fruit cocktail dump cake has cooled down, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. The fruit keeps this cake super moist, which is why refrigeration is best. Plus, it tastes amazing cold!

Freeze: Want to save some for later? Cut the cake into portions, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. It’ll stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months. This is perfect when you need a quick dessert on hand!

Serve Again: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen dump cake, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, pop individual portions in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, and it’ll taste just like it’s fresh from the oven!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	40-45 minutes
Total Time	50-60 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2200-2400
• Protein: 15-20 g
• Fat: 120-130 g
• Carbohydrates: 300-320 g

Ingredients

• 3 cans mixed fruit cocktail with cherries
• 1 package golden butter or yellow cake mix
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Fruit Cocktail

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.

While the oven is preheating, drain the syrup from the fruit cocktail mix and pour the fruit into an 8-inch square baking dish, spreading it out evenly across the bottom.

Step 2: Add the Cake Mix

Take your dry cake mix and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the fruit cocktail in the baking dish.

Make sure to cover the fruit completely with the cake mix, as this will form the base of your dessert’s crust.

Step 3: Melt and Pour the Butter

Melt one stick of butter and carefully pour it over the dry cake mix.

Aim to cover as much of the cake mix as possible with the melted butter.

It’s okay if some areas remain uncovered, as we’ll address this in the next step.

Step 4: Add Butter Pats

Take the remaining half stick of butter and cut it into small pats.

Place these pats over any dry spots on the surface of the cake mix to ensure even moisture and a rich, buttery flavor throughout.

Step 5: Bake the Dessert

Place the prepared baking dish in the preheated oven.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top crust is a beautiful golden brown.

The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye out for the right color and doneness.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.

You can serve the dessert warm, showcasing its gooey, comforting texture, or chilled for a firmer, refreshing treat.

Enjoy your effortlessly delightful fruit cocktail dessert!