pear dump cake
Pear Dump Cake is a simple, comforting dessert that layers juicy fresh pears with yellow cake mix and butter, baking to a golden, bubbling delight. This easy recipe requires minimal preparation—just layer the ingredients and bake for a delicious, moist cake with warm cinnamon notes, perfect for quick gatherings or anytime you crave a cozy fruit dessert.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 to 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 to 60 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Adaptable (Gluten Free if using GF cake mix)
Fruit
- 4 to 5 ripe but firm fresh pears, washed, peeled, and thinly sliced
Cake Mix & Sweeteners
- 1 box (about 15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Fat
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, sliced thinly
- Prepare the Pears: Wash, peel, and thinly slice the pears into even pieces to ensure consistent cooking and easy layering. Use enough slices to cover the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish evenly.
- Layer the Pears: Spread the sliced pears evenly across the greased baking dish. Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar lightly over the top to enhance the natural sweetness and bring depth of flavor. Optionally, drizzle vanilla extract over the pears for extra aroma.
- Add the Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the pear layer, covering all the fruit completely. Do not stir or mix; simply dump and spread the mix gently.
- Top with Butter: Slice cold unsalted butter thinly and distribute the slices evenly over the cake mix. This will melt during baking to create a golden crust and moist texture.
- Bake Until Golden and Bubbling: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled cake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbles appear around the edges. Remove from oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes to allow juices to thicken slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use firm pears to prevent a mushy texture during baking.
- Don’t skip the butter slices, as they create an even, golden crust.
- Let the cake rest for 10 minutes after baking to thicken juices.
- Use a glass baking dish so you can watch the bubbling edges and check for doneness.
- Experiment with additional warm spices like nutmeg or ginger to customize flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/10 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: pear dump cake, easy pear dessert, fruit dessert, quick cake, dump cake recipe, simple baking, cinnamon pear cake