Dump cake

A dump cake is an American dessert similar to a cobbler but with a cake-like topping. It is so named because it is prepared by "dumping" ingredients (typically canned fruit or pie filling, followed by a boxed cake mix) into a cake pan without mixing.

A piece of blackberry dump cake served with whipped cream.

History

The origins of the dump cake are somewhat unclear.[1] It has been suggested that the name originated with a recipe published by Duncan Hines in 1980,[2][3][4] though the name is attested in a number of American community cookbooks and periodicals from the 1970s and 60s.[5][6][7][8]

Some sources have suggested the cakes became popular in the 1950s following the emergence of prepared cake mixes after World War II.[9]

Among the earliest published recipes was submitted by a reader ("Mrs. Tom A. (Velma) Harris") to the Sapulpa Daily Herald in September 1964.[10]

A 1968 article on dump cakes in Saskatoon's Star-Phoenix described the recipe as "going the rounds in the United States mid-west at the moment".[11]

It has been compared to the wacky cake, another 20th century American cake which does not use eggs and which has a simple method of preparation.[2]

Preparation

A prototypical dump cake recipe begins with adding one or more cans of fruit or pie filling to a shallow baking dish. A boxed cake mix is then spread on top. This is then topped with butter or margarine (in pieces or melted), and baked in the oven. Some recipes call for the addition of further toppings such as nuts or shredded coconut.[3][12]

In some variants, the cake mix may be replaced by a homemade combination of dry ingredients, and the canned fruit may be replaced or augmented with fresh or frozen fruit.[13][12][1]

  • A prepared cake mix is spread on top of canned pumpkin pie filling in a rectangular baking dish.
    A prepared cake mix is spread on top of canned pumpkin pie filling in a rectangular baking dish.
  • Melted butter is poured over the cake mix prior to baking. Some recipes call for solid pieces of butter instead.
    Melted butter is poured over the cake mix prior to baking. Some recipes call for solid pieces of butter instead.

Variations

In Hawaii, a popular variation of the "pumpkin dump cake" is called pumpkin crunch.[14] The earliest known published recipe for Hawaiian "pumpkin crunch cake" in 1996 identifies the dessert as a dump cake.[15] The recipes for pumpkin crunch and mainland pumpkin dump cake are nearly identical.[16] However, it is exclusively served as a dessert bar. After the cake is finished baking, it is chilled thoroughly before inverting the cake upside-down, with the crumb topping serving as a bottom crust and optionally topped with whipped cream.[17] Chef Sam Choy of Hawaii is credited for popularizing this recipe.[18]  

References
  1. Pellegrinelli, Carroll (17 June 2020). "15 Dump Cake Recipes".
  2. Blais, Joanne (27 November 2020). "Scrappy Chef- Simple Ingredients that Lead to a Delicious Cake!". The Rangeley Highlander.
  3. The Absolute Best Dump Cake Cookbook. Rockbridge Press. 2014. ISBN 9781623154929.
  4. "History of the Dump Cake". Just a Pinch. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  5. "Patrol Cooking". Scouting. September 1972. p. 63.
  6. Recipes and Reminiscences of New Orleans. Ursuline Academy Cooperative Club. 1971. p. 218. ISBN 9780960471805.
  7. "Noun: People, Places, Things". Noun: People, Places, Things. Paradise Project, Edmunds Junior High School. 1978. p. 23.
  8. "The Vintage Ford". The Vintage Ford. Model T Ford Club of America. 1965. p. 47.
  9. Arrington, Debbie (1 October 2014). "Here's her pitch for easy desserts". The Sacramento Bee. p. D1.
  10. "Recipes -- With Flavor". Sapulpa Daily Herald. 24 September 1964. p. 13.
  11. Gagen, Helen (23 January 1968). "Dump Cakes looks pretty, tastes good, despite name". Star-Phoenix. p. 7.
  12. Lee, Jennifer (2016). Dump Cakes from Scratch. Race Point Publishing. ISBN 9781631062551.
  13. Sacks, Katherine (2 November 2017). "How to Make a Dump Cake That's Fresher and Tastier".
  14. Dekneef, Matthew (24 November 2016). "How to Make Hawaii-Style Pumpkin Crunch, a Local Mom's Recipe". Hawaii Magazine. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  15. Enomoto, Catherine Kekoa (September 25, 1996). "Light Crunch Cake a pumpkin eater's delight". archives.starbulletin.com. Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  16. Busch, Carolyn (July 6, 2023). "Pumpkin Dump Cake". Allrecipes. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  17. "Here's the recipe for Sam Choy's Kitchen famous Pumpkin Crunch". Hawaii News Now. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  18. Hanson, Kait (September 28, 2020). "What Is Pumpkin Crunch? And Why Is It So Famous in Hawaii?". Allrecipes. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
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