Introduction
I make this cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake whenever I need a dessert that looks and tastes genuinely impressive but takes about 5 minutes of actual work. The base is sweet crushed pineapple and cherry pie filling, the middle has a layer of cream cheese that melts into something almost cheesecake-like as it bakes, and the top is a golden, buttery cake mix crust that becomes wonderfully crispy around the edges and soft in the center. It’s the perfect combination of fruit cobbler, cheesecake, and cake all in one pan — and you don’t mix or measure anything beyond opening a few cans. This is perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, weeknight desserts, or any time you need a crowd-pleaser with minimal cleanup. If you love easy one-pan fruit desserts, you’ll also want to try our skillet peach crisp with vanilla ice cream for a fresh fruit version with the same effortless approach.
How to Make Cherry Pineapple Cheesecake Dump Cake (Quick Overview)
To make this cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake, spread undrained crushed pineapple in a 9×13 pan, pour cherry pie filling over the top, scatter cream cheese cubes over the fruit, sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over everything, and top with sliced butter. Do not stir. Bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes until golden and bubbling. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
About the Ingredients
Cherry Pie Filling
Cherry pie filling gives this cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake its deep, sweet-tart fruit flavor and beautiful dark red color that peeks through the golden cake crust as it bakes. Use a good quality cherry pie filling rather than the cheapest option — the difference in fruit content and flavor is significant. Regular or dark sweet cherry both work beautifully.
Crushed Pineapple
Undrained crushed pineapple spread across the bottom of the pan is the moisture layer that keeps this easy cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake recipe from drying out and creates the jammy, tropical fruit base that pairs so unexpectedly well with cherry. Do not drain it — the pineapple juice is essential for the texture and moisture of the finished cake.
Cream Cheese
Cubed or dolloped cream cheese scattered over the fruit layers before the cake mix goes on is what makes this cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake different from a standard dump cake — it melts during baking into creamy, tangy pockets throughout the fruit layer that genuinely taste like cheesecake. Use full-fat cream cheese softened to room temperature so it melts evenly and doesn’t leave lumps. According to Food Network’s dump cake recipe guide by Ree Drummond, the key to any dump cake is distributing the butter as evenly as possible over the dry cake mix so every part of the surface gets enough fat to toast to a golden, slightly crispy crust rather than leaving dry powdery patches.
Yellow Cake Mix
A box of dry yellow cake mix sprinkled straight from the box over the fruit and cream cheese layers is what creates the golden, buttery crust that makes this easy cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake recipe so satisfying. Use it completely dry — do not mix it with eggs or water. The juice from the pineapple and the melting butter hydrate it during baking.
Butter
Cold butter sliced into thin pats and laid evenly across the dry cake mix layer is the final ingredient that brings everything together in this 4 ingredient cherry pineapple dump cake with cream cheese. As it melts during baking it hydrates the cake mix and creates the golden, crispy top layer. Cover the cake mix as evenly as possible so there are no dry powdery spots in the finished cake.
Tips and Tricks
Distribute the butter slices as evenly as possible across the entire surface of the cake mix in this cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake — any spots not covered by butter will remain dry and powdery rather than toasting to a golden crust.
Do not stir any of the layers — the whole point of a dump cake is the distinct layers that create different textures and flavors in every bite of this easy cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake recipe.
Let the cake rest for 10-15 minutes before serving — the fruit layer is extremely hot and the cream cheese layer needs a moment to settle after coming out of the oven in this 4 ingredient cherry pineapple dump cake with cream cheese.
Pro Tips
For extra crispy edges on this cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake, sprinkle a tablespoon of granulated sugar over the butter layer right before it goes in the oven — the sugar caramelizes slightly and adds an irresistible crunch to the golden cake crust.
Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract drizzled over the cream cheese layer before adding the cake mix for a deeper, more bakery-like flavor in this easy cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake recipe.
Use a white cake mix instead of yellow for a more neutral base that lets the cherry and pineapple flavors come through more clearly, or try a butter pecan cake mix for an extra rich, nutty dimension in this 4 ingredient cherry pineapple dump cake with cream cheese.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking pan.
- Spread the undrained crushed pineapple in an even layer across the bottom of the pan.
- Pour the cherry pie filling over the pineapple and spread evenly.
- Cut or cube the softened cream cheese into small pieces and scatter evenly over the fruit layers.
- Open the dry cake mix and sprinkle it evenly over the fruit and cream cheese layers, covering the entire surface.
- Slice the cold butter into thin pats and lay them evenly across the entire surface of the cake mix — try to cover as much of the surface as possible.
- Do not stir or mix anything.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until the top is deep golden brown around the edges, the butter has melted through, and the fruit is visibly bubbling around the sides of the pan.
- Let rest for 10-15 minutes before scooping and serving warm.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Variations
For a cherry pineapple coconut dump cake, scatter a cup of sweetened shredded coconut over the cream cheese layer before adding the cake mix for a tropical, nutty element in this cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake.
If you want a pecan version, scatter ½ cup of roughly chopped pecans over the butter layer before baking for a crunchy, nutty topping that adds a great textural contrast in this easy cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake recipe.
For a chocolate twist, use a chocolate cake mix instead of yellow for a chocolate-cherry-pineapple combination that’s surprisingly incredible and perfect for chocolate lovers.
Swap the cherry pie filling for blueberry or strawberry for a completely different fruit combination using the same cream cheese dump cake method in this 4 ingredient cherry pineapple dump cake with cream cheese.
For a holiday version, use spice cake mix and swap the pineapple for apple pie filling for a warming, autumnal dump cake that works beautifully for Thanksgiving dessert.
How to Store
Store leftover cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake covered in the fridge for up to 4 days — the cream cheese layer means it needs refrigeration. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.
The cake can be served cold straight from the fridge — the cream cheese layer firms up slightly when cold, giving it an even more cheesecake-like quality.
This cake doesn’t freeze well — the cream cheese and fruit layers separate and become watery after thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I drain the pineapple?
No — the juice from the undrained pineapple is essential for keeping this cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake moist and hydrating the cake mix layer during baking.
Do I mix the layers?
Never — do not stir or mix anything in this easy cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake recipe. The layered structure creates the distinct textures that make dump cake so satisfying.
What does the cream cheese do in this cake?
The cream cheese melts into the fruit layer during baking and creates creamy, tangy cheesecake-like pockets throughout the bottom of this 4 ingredient cherry pineapple dump cake with cream cheese — it’s what sets this version apart from a standard dump cake.
Why are there dry spots on top?
The butter wasn’t evenly distributed. Lay the butter slices close together covering as much of the cake mix surface as possible in this cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake.
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes, white, butter pecan, or chocolate cake mix all create delicious variations in this easy cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake recipe — each gives a distinctly different but equally satisfying result.
How do I know when it’s done?
The top should be deep golden brown with crispy edges and the fruit filling should be visibly and actively bubbling around the sides of the pan in this 4 ingredient cherry pineapple dump cake with cream cheese.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, bake and cool completely then refrigerate — this cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake tastes great cold or reheated the next day and the cream cheese layer firms up into an even more defined cheesecake-like layer overnight.
What can I serve alongside this for a complete dessert spread?
This cherry pineapple cheesecake dump cake pairs beautifully alongside our no-bake Oreo cheesecake for a complete dessert table that covers both a fruit-forward baked option and a rich creamy no-bake cheesecake.
Cherry Pineapple Cheesecake Dump Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking pan.
- Spread the undrained crushed pineapple in an even layer across the bottom of the pan.
- Pour the cherry pie filling over the pineapple and spread evenly.
- Cut the softened cream cheese into small cubes and scatter evenly over the fruit layers.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the fruit and cream cheese layers, covering the entire surface.
- Slice the cold butter into thin pats and lay them evenly across the entire cake mix surface. Do not stir.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until the top is deep golden brown and the fruit is bubbling around the sides.
- Let rest for 10-15 minutes, then scoop and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.