Banana Split Dump Cake

The smell of maraschino cherries always takes me back to my grandmother's kitchen, where she kept a jar on the counter for special occasions. This dump cake recipe captures that nostalgic sweetness with almost zero effort. I discovered it during a summer potluck when my friend Sarah brought it, and honestly, I couldn't stop eating it.

Last summer my neighbor's kids were swimming in our backyard when I remembered this recipe tucked away in my phone. They went absolutely wild for it, standing around the counter watching the oven door like hawks. Now they request it every single pool day, and honestly, I don't mind one bit.

Ingredients

• 3 large ripe bananas, sliced: Use bananas with lots of brown spots for maximum sweetness and soft texture
• 1 can (20 oz / 565 g) crushed pineapple, drained: Press it through a sieve to remove excess liquid and prevent soggy layers
• 1 jar (10 oz / 280 g) maraschino cherries, drained and halved: These add pops of bright color and that classic ice cream shop flavor
• 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar: Helps the fruit release its juices and creates a syrupy base
• 1/2 cup (90 g) semisweet chocolate chips: Melts into rich puddles throughout the cake
• 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) yellow cake mix: The foundation that transforms into buttery crumble topping
• 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, melted: Essential for turning dry cake mix into golden, crispy perfection

Instructions

Prep your baking dish:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch dish thoroughly

Build the fruit foundation:

Layer sliced bananas first, then spread drained pineapple evenly across the top

Add the cherries:

Scatter halved maraschino cherries over the pineapple for those bright red jewels

Sweeten the layers:

Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly across all the fruit to help everything get bubbly

Scatter chocolate chips:

Distribute them carefully so every bite gets some melted chocolate goodness

Add the cake mix:

Pour dry cake mix over everything and gently shake the pan to level it out

Drizzle melted butter:

Pour butter slowly back and forth to cover as much surface area as possible

Bake until golden:

Bake 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and edges are bubbling enthusiastically

Let it rest:

Wait at least 15 minutes before serving so those fruit juices settle slightly

Save

My sister made this for her daughter's birthday party and the kids were so quiet while eating it, you could hear forks scraping plates. One little boy asked if she could make it every single weekend, which might be the highest compliment a dessert can receive from a seven year old.

Make It Your Own

White chocolate chips create a completely different vibe, almost like a tropical creamsicle flavor profile. Milk chocolate makes it sweeter and more kid-friendly while dark chocolate adds sophistication for adult gatherings.

Serving Suggestions

Warm servings are absolutely non-negotiable for the full experience. A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into those fruit puddles creates the most incredible sauce you have ever tasted.

Storage And Make Ahead Tips

This actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days.

• Reheat individual portions for about 30 seconds in the microwave
• The buttery topping will soften in the fridge but crisps up again quickly under the broiler
• Freeze unbaked portions wrapped tightly for up to two months

Save

There is something so joyful about a dessert that brings people together around the oven door, waiting and watching. This recipe turns ordinary ingredients into extraordinary memories with almost no effort at all.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Fresh pineapple works well, though you'll want to crush it yourself. Canned crushed pineapple provides consistent texture and natural syrup that helps create the bubbly fruit layer.

→ Should I serve this warm or cold?

Warm is best for that gooey, comforting texture. The fruit layer stays thick and the buttery topping remains slightly crisp. Let it cool about 15 minutes after baking so the layers set slightly.

→ Can I make this ahead of time?

Assemble everything up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold. Leftovers reheat beautifully in the microwave.

→ What other fruits can I add?

Sliced strawberries or peaches work wonderfully. You can also add shredded coconut or swap the yellow cake mix for chocolate cake mix to intensify the cocoa flavor.

→ Why is it called a dump cake?

Because you literally dump each ingredient into the baking dish in layers—no mixing bowl required. The dry cake mix goes directly over the fruit, and melted butter gets drizzled on top. Simple as that.

→ Can I reduce the sugar?

You can cut the sugar in half since the fruit and cake mix already provide sweetness. The pineapple and cherries add natural sugars, and chocolate chips bring their own sweetness too.