Quick and Easy Microwave Dump Cake Recipe

Need a last-minute dessert idea? This Microwave Dump Cake recipe is the perfect treat. It’s the same yummy Cherry Pineapple flavor as the original recipe. But this one cooks up in under 20 minutes!

A microwave cake recipe you’ll love

This small dump cake recipe uses the microwave to speed up the process and make just about a half-batch.

Dump cakes are such an awesome dessert idea for so many things (potlucks, parties, inexpensive ingredients, perfect for a crowd). But sometimes you don’t need a full pan.

Related: Microwave Bread Pudding for One

Making one in the microwave is a great hack! And won’t heat up your kitchen since you don’t have to use the oven!

Dump cakes (like the original Cherry Pineapple recipe) usually take about an hour to cook up in the oven, this microwave dump cake recipe is ready in about 20 minutes.

The crazy part is, that you are making basically the same amount as you do in a standard recipe, but you make this in a smaller pan. 

While I used cherry pie filling and crushed pineapple, you can basically make any flavor you want. (Browse my site – I have a ton of variations!)

Ingredients

• Yellow Cake Mix
• crushed pineapple (not drained)
• cherry pie filling
• butter, melted (1/2 cup)
• shredded coconut

The Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake is my all-time favorite. So, of course, I wanted to test out that recipe in the microwave. I’ve also tested them out as Dump Cake Cupcakes too.  

While I don’t add coconut to the top of my classic recipe, I decided to add it to make sure that there was texture in case it didn’t crisp up. 

I also went with one stick of butter instead of two due to the size of the dish. 

How to Make Microwave Cherry Dump Cake

Step 1

Spray a microwave-safe dish (I used a 9 x 9 glass baking dish) with cooking spray.

Step 2

Add cherry pie filling to the dish.

Step 3

Top with crushed pineapple.

Step 4

Sprinkle cake mix on top of the cherries and pineapple.

Step 5

Drizzle melted butter on top.

Step 6

Sprinkle coconut on top.

Step 7

Microwave for 15-20 minutes on high.

Turn halfway through if you don’t have a rotating plate.

Since you are using a smaller dish, this dessert becomes taller than usual. You can see the layers through the side of the dish in the photo above. 

I placed the baking dish on a plate (not pictured) in the microwave to catch any overflow while it was cooking. There was only a tiny bit. 

I’m lazy and like to think ahead to the possible clean-up situation. So you do you. You can absolutely skip the extra plate. 

The pan was very hot when it was done so you will need a kitchen mitt for each hand. Just have them ready.

I was worried that this Microwave Cherry Dump Cake wouldn’t have that same crunchy crust on top like when you bake it in the oven. 

But it was there! While the top didn’t get golden brown, it did get a nice crust. 

The flavor was all there although the ratio of fruit to crust is different. Not bad, just different than the original. 

I usually let my dump cakes speak for themselves but you can always serve them with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream or even Cool Whip. 

I love these easy treats because you can add or take away any ingredient that you don’t love. Hate coconut? Skip it! Want more texture? Add pecans! 

Swap in another flavor of pie filling to make a different flavor of quick-dump cake in the microwave.

This Microwave Cherry Dump Cake is so quick and easy you’ll be wondering if you can cook all your desserts this way! 

More easy dump cakes

Not interested in dump cake? Make a Pumpkin Mug Cake or a large but single-serving of Microwave Bread Pudding!

• You have to try this Eggnog Dump Cake at Christmas!
• You can make a Cherry Dump Cake in the Crockpot!
• You can’t go wrong with a Pumpkin Dump Cake no matter what time of year it is.
• Crockpot Apple Cherry Dump Cake is sweet and a fun twist on the classic recipe.
• This Peach Blueberry Dump Cake is a great summer party dessert.
• This Pineapple Dump Cake with Condensed Milk has a great texture and flavor!

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