Dump cake facts for kids

A yummy piece of blackberry dump cake with whipped cream.

A dump cake is a super easy American dessert. It's a bit like a fruit cobbler but has a cake-like topping. People call it a "dump cake" because you simply "dump" all the ingredients into a pan. You don't even need to mix them! This usually includes canned fruit or pie filling and a box of cake mix.

The History of Dump Cakes

When Did Dump Cakes Become Popular?

The exact start of the dump cake isn't fully clear. But, many people think these cakes became popular in the 1950s. This was after World War II, when ready-made cake mixes started appearing in stores.

Some old cookbooks and magazines from the 1960s and 1970s already used the name "dump cake." One of the first recipes was shared by a reader in a newspaper in 1964. By 1968, an article said dump cakes were very popular in the middle of the United States.

Dump cakes are sometimes compared to "wacky cakes." Wacky cakes are another simple American cake from the 1900s that don't use eggs. Both cakes are known for being very easy to make.

How to Make a Dump Cake

Simple Steps to Bake a Dump Cake

Making a dump cake is super simple! Here are the basic steps:

• First, you take one or more cans of fruit or pie filling. You "dump" these into a shallow baking dish.
• Next, you spread a box of cake mix evenly over the fruit. You don't mix it in!
• Then, you add butter or margarine on top of the cake mix. You can use small pieces of solid butter or pour melted butter over it.
• Finally, you bake it in the oven.

Adding Your Own Touch

You can also get creative with dump cakes!

• Instead of a boxed cake mix, some people use their own mix of dry ingredients.
• You can also use fresh or frozen fruit instead of canned fruit.
• Some recipes suggest adding other yummy toppings. These might include nuts or shredded coconut for extra flavor and crunch.

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  A prepared cake mix is spread on top of canned pumpkin pie filling in a rectangular baking dish.

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  Melted butter is poured over the cake mix before baking. Some recipes use solid pieces of butter instead.