In the world of desserts, the 3 ingredient blueberry dump cake recipe shines. It’s easy, using simple ingredients like a boxed cake mix and canned pie filling. This easy recipe creates what many call the best dessert. The best part? It’s all made in one dish. This means less mess and quick cleanup. For more simple dessert recipes, try this apple pie pull apart bread or white chocolate chex mix.
What Is Dump Cake?
Dump cake is a name that might initially conjure up images of something hastily thrown together, but in reality, represents one of the culinary world’s hidden gems. At its core, a dump cake typically requires a box of cake mix, a can of pie filling, and some butter. The name “dump” simply refers to the ease with which these ingredients are assembled – essentially dumped into a baking dish and baked to perfection.
For those in search of easy dump cake recipes, you’ll be pleased to know that variations abound. The blueberry version, for instance, combines the tartness of blueberries with the sweet crumble of the cake mix, resulting in a dessert that is both tangy and sweet. It’s not just the versatility that makes dump cakes standout, but their ability to deliver delectable flavors with minimal effort. In fact, they are often hailed as some of the easiest desserts to make.
With their straightforward preparation process and exquisite taste profile, dump cakes truly showcase that sometimes, the simplest methods yield the most delightful results. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, crafting a dump cake promises a delightful experience with every bite. For more ideas for baking with cake mixes check out these dessert recipes made with cake mix.
Why You’ll Love This
- Flavor: Sweet, fluffy blueberry cake
- Ease: Anyone can make this! You can’t mess it up! Not great at baking? No problem!
- Time: Prep time takes only 5 minutes!
- Equipment: All you need is a baking dish.
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten Free option
If you love blueberries try my blueberry pancake recipe. These pancakes are made from scratch with fresh blueberries and are delicious! They mix up quickly for a breakfast you can make any day of the week.
🫐 Ingredients
- pie filling: Canned pie filling makes this quick dessert recipe sweet and delicious!
- boxed cake mix: We used vanilla cake mix in this recipe. A dry cake mix is essential. Do not substitute for anything other than boxed cake mix. See the variations below for more cake mix options that will taste delicious with this dump cake recipe.
- melted butter: Butter is essential in this dessert recipe. Use a salted butter for the best flavor.
Full ingredient amounts and instructions for the 3 ingredient blueberry dump cake recipe are found below in the recipe card. Variations and substitutions can be found below.
Gluten Free Option
To make a dump cake gluten free use a gluten free cake mix and pie filling. We like Betty Crocker’s gluten free cake mix or King Arthur Baking Company’s gluten free cake mix. At the time of this post, Duncan Hines Comstock Blueberry Pie Filling is gluten free. Other brands may be as well.
Variations
Use this recipe to make other variations of an easy dump cake. Try one of these options:
Different Cake Mix Flavors: Substitute the vanilla cake mix for a yellow cake mix, lemon cake mix, chocolate cake mix or white cake mix. If you’re feeling fun try a funfetti or confetti cake mix. Any dry cake mix will work!
Pie Filling Flavors: Substitute the blueberry pie filling for your favorite fruit pie filling. Try apple pie filling, blackberry pie filling, cherry pie filling, peach pie filling, raspberry pie filling or strawberry pie filling. A lemon pie filling also sounds delicious!
5 Ingredient Blueberry Dump Cake: Add a little something extra to your blueberry dump cake. Sprinkle ½ cup quick oats and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon on top of the cake mix in the recipe before you add the melted butter.
Fresh Berries: Follow this blackberry dump cake recipe to learn how to make a dump cake with fresh berries.
🥣 Instructions
Full step-by-step instructions for this easy blueberry dump cake recipe are also in the recipe card below. You can print or save to Pinterest for later.
Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or grease with butter to prevent sticking.
Step 1: Spread the canned blueberry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan. Smooth with a spatula.
Step 2: Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over the canned pie filling. If you’re doing the 5 ingredient blueberry dump cake option, add the cinnamon and oats on top of the cake mix.
Step 3: Pour melted butter over the top of the vanilla cake mix. Gently shake the pan to help the ingredients settle together a little bit.
Step 4: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips For The Best Dump Cake
- Try to drizzle the butter equally over the entire cake.
- Once all the ingredients are in the baking dish, shake gently to allow ingredients to fall down into any openings. This will help prevent any unintentional bites of dry cake mix once the dump cake is cooked.
- Bake until the top is golden brown and the pie filling is bubbling.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Blueberry dump cake, with its sweet and tangy flavor profile, pairs delightfully with a variety of accompaniments. Enhancing both its texture and taste, here are some popular serving suggestions:
- Ice Cream: A big scoop of vanilla ice cream melting atop a warm serving of blueberry dump cake is a classic choice. The creaminess of the ice cream contrasts beautifully with the cake’s crumbly texture. For a twist, consider flavors like lemon, almond, or even cheesecake ice cream.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light, airy texture that complements the richness of the cake.
- Fresh Berries: Enhance the fruitiness by adding a handful of fresh blueberries or a mix of berries, such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries, on the side or atop the cake.
- Lemon Zest or Lemon Curd: The tanginess of lemon adds a zesty punch that pairs well with blueberries. Drizzling a bit of lemon curd or sprinkling some lemon zest can elevate the cake’s flavor profile.
- Yogurt: A spoonful of Greek or plain yogurt can offer a tangy contrast, especially if you prefer a less sweet accompaniment.
- Caramel or Chocolate Drizzle: For those with a sweet tooth, a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce can add a delightful richness.
- Toasted Nuts: Sprinkling toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that complements the fruitiness of the blueberries.
- Mint Leaves: A few fresh mint leaves can add a refreshing touch and a pop of color.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: For a more refined presentation and a touch of added sweetness, a light dusting of powdered sugar can be an excellent finishing touch.
- Spices: A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg can add warmth and depth to the cake’s flavors, especially during cooler months.
When serving blueberry dump cake, the key is to balance textures and flavors. Whether you lean towards the creamy, crunchy, tangy, or rich side of pairings, there’s a complementing accompaniment to make every bite of the cake a delightful experience.
☀️ Storing
Storing a dump cake, especially when you’re dealing with this delicious blueberry dessert, requires a few steps to maintain its freshness and flavor. After a family gathering or an intimate dinner, it’s not uncommon to have leftover cake. So, how does one keep it palatable for the next serving?
Firstly, allow the cake to cool down to room temperature. This step is paramount in preventing condensation, which can make the cake soggy. Once cooled, wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to preserve its moistness and guard against external contaminants.
Second, blueberry dump cake, like most baked desserts, has a specific storage lifespan based on how and where it’s stored:
- At Room Temperature: You can store a blueberry dump cake safely at room temperature for up to 2 days if you cover it well to avoid drying. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. Use plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain its freshness.
- In the Refrigerator: Refrigerating your blueberry dump cake can extend its freshness. When stored in an airtight container, it can last for 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
- In the Freezer: If you want to store it for an extended period, freezing is the best option. When wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and then placed in an airtight container or freezer bag, a blueberry dump cake can be stored for up to 2-3 months. However, for the best flavor and texture, it’s advisable to consume it within the first month.
When you’re ready to eat the frozen dump cake, let it thaw in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature as it can make the cake become overly moist or potentially soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both dump cake and cobbler are popular, comforting desserts that feature delicious fruit fillings, but they differ primarily in their preparation methods and the texture of their toppings. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between a blueberry dump cake and a blueberry cobbler:
Preparation Method:
Dump Cake: As the name suggests, you make a dump cake by directly “dumping” ingredients into a baking dish. First, you pour a can of fruit or pie filling. Next, you spread a box of cake mix evenly over that fruit. Finally, you place pats of butter or drizzle melted butter on the cake mix before popping it into the oven. You don’t mix the ingredients; you just layer them.
Cobbler: For a cobbler, you start with a fruit filling at the dish’s base. Then, you add dollops of biscuit or a batter-like mix on top. As it bakes, this topping expands to cover the fruit, creating a “cobbled” look, which likely gave the dessert its name.
Topping Texture:
Dump Cake: The result of a dump cake is a crunchy, crumbly topping due to the dry cake mix becoming golden brown and crisping up as it bakes with the butter.
Cobbler: The topping for a cobbler is softer and more biscuit-like or cakey, depending on the specific recipe used.
Versatility:
Dump Cake: People love dump cakes for their simple and versatile nature, easily accommodating various fruit fillings and cake mix combinations.
Cobbler: Cobblers, while also versatile with the choice of fruit, have a more consistent style of topping that is distinct from dump cakes.
While both desserts are delightful in their own right, the choice between them often comes down to personal texture preferences and preparation convenience. Some might prefer the crispy topping of a dump cake, while others lean toward the soft, comforting texture of a cobbler.
Absolutely, a blueberry dump cake can be made ahead of time, which makes it convenient for events or gatherings where pre-preparation can ease the workload on the day of the event.
If you’re considering making your blueberry dump cake in advance, here are a few pointers:
Baking in Advance:
Bake the dump cake as per the recipe.
Once cooled to room temperature, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Before serving, reheat individual portions in the microwave or place the entire cake in the oven at a low temperature until it’s warmed through.
Prepping Without Baking:
You can also prepare the cake by layering the ingredients (fruit filling, cake mix, and butter) in the baking dish.
Cover the unbaked dump cake and store it in the refrigerator for a day.
When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes, then bake as per the recipe instructions. This ensures that the cake bakes evenly.
Freezing:
For longer storage, a fully baked blueberry dump cake can be frozen. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or store it in an airtight container.
It can last in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To serve, thaw it in the refrigerator and then reheat.
Making the blueberry dump cake ahead of time can save you the hassle and allow for more flexibility, especially when hosting or when your schedule is tight. Just ensure you store it properly to maintain its freshness and flavor.
Easy 3 Ingredient Blueberry Dump Cake Recipe
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 21 oz cans blueberry pie filling
- 1 box vanilla or white cake mix
- 1 cup salted butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Prepare a 9×13-inch casserole dish by spraying with non-stick cooking spray or greasing with butter.
- Add the blueberry pie filling evenly over the bottom of the baking dish.
- Open the cake mix and pour and even layer on top of the blueberry filling. Gently shake the pan to distribute the cake mix evenly.
- Pour the melted butter over the dry cake mix. Try to pour evenly, not leaving large dry patches.
- Place the baking dish into the oven and cook for 50-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the pie filling is hot and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Try to drizzle the butter equally over the entire cake.
- Once all the ingredients are in the baking dish, shake gently to allow ingredients to fall down into any openings. This will help prevent any unintentional bites of dry cake mix once the dump cake is cooked.
- Bake until the top is golden brown and the pie filling is bubbling.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Jeff says
This was so easy to make and turned out great. I only took a star off because I prefer a homemade pie filling though I guess that defeats the purpose of a dump cake.
Mara says
Could not be easier. I think I’ll try different variations next time. I like the suggestions you made.