Made with only SIX ingredients this is the best fruit cocktail dump cake recipe you'll ever make. This fruit cocktail cake without coconut is moist, rich, and comes together in a flash!
This recipe has been in my family for generations. It was passed down to me by my grandmother. Somehow knowing that it was a favorite of hers, makes it a favorite of mine too!
If you love easy cake recipes like this. try my upside down fruit cocktail cake with coconut and this chocolate cherry dump cake. My pecan pie dump cake is quite tasty too.
Serve any of these easy cakes up with a scoop of white chocolate raspberry ice cream and you've got one heck of a dessert.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This fruit cocktail cake is one of the easiest cake recipes you'll ever make. All you need to do is grab your ingredients, dump them in a bowl, and get baking!
- A dessert filled with fruit. It has a lovely texture and makes a great weeknight dessert.
- A simple fruit dessert perfect for any occasion! It's great for potlucks, family get togethers, and holidays with friends.
Ingredients
You'll only need a few basic ingredients to make this fruit cocktail cake. The main ingredients are here, but you'll find the complete ingredients along with amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Sugar: We use a combination of white and brown sugar. The brown sugar adds another layer of flavor to the topping of the cake.
- Flour and eggs: Basic ingredients for cakes that combine to give the cake its structure.
- Fruit cocktail: Choose your favorite brand!
- Nuts: Adds great texture to the cake. I love it with pecans or walnuts but you can use other nuts as well.
- Brown sugar: Adds a richer flavor and more moisture to the cake.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add Some Other Flavors: You can add a teaspoon of vanilla for some natural warming flavor or a touch of cinnamon which works nicely to give the cake more depth of flavor.
- Add a Topping: Drizzle honey over the top of the cake after baking or add a buttercream or cream cheese frosting over the top.
- More Fruit: Add a half cup of chopped apples or pears to the batter along with the fruit cocktail.
How to Make Fruit Cocktail Cake
As with any dump cake, you'll be in and out of the kitchen in no time. The highlights are here, but you'll find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Add the egg and fruit cocktail to the bowl and mix.
- Add the fruit cocktail cake batter to a prepared pan.
- Sprinkle with the brown sugar and nut mixture over the top.
- Bake in a preheated oven until the cake is done and the top is golden.
If you love recipes like this easy cake recipe, you may also enjoy this angel food cake trifle.
How to Store
- Refrigerator: This cake contains fruit and is best stored in the fridge. Wrap it up well and store for up to five days.
- Freezer: You can also freeze it for up to three months.
- Warm it up: In the oven or the microwave.
You're going to want to try my lemon cream cheese dump cake and this blackberry dump cake if you enjoy cakes like this. My blueberry cobbler with cake mix is another one you're going to want to try.
Tips
- Drain your fruit cocktail to remove the excess liquid. Too much liquid will make the cake batter too thin.
- Be sure to use the spray or grease the pan well to make serving the cake easier.
- Let your dump cake cool completely before cutting and serving. This ensures it holds its shape when served.
- For serving, it's great all on its own but even better with ice cream or whipped cream on top.
FAQ
The prep time for this cake is just a few minutes - 10 at the most. The longest part of the process is baking it for an hour and 20 minutes.
Feel free to frost this cake! Buttercream and cream cheese frosting both work very well with this cake.
You probably didn't use enough spray. When using cooking spray, you want a light but even coat that thoroughly covers the entire interior surface of the pan. A quick spritz won't do it.
Video: How to Make This Recipe
Have a look at the video below!
More Fruit Dessert Recipes You'll Love
Do you like fruit desserts? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Fruit Cocktail Cake (BEST Dump Cake EVER!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 can (14.5 oz) fruit cocktail, drained
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup pecans or walnuts, chopped `
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
- Prepare a 9x9 or 8x8 inch pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.
- Add egg and stir to combine.
- Add fruit cocktail and stir some more.
- Pour into your prepared pan.
- Mix brown sugar and nuts and sprinkle all over the top.
- Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- Serve warm with whipped cream. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published September 2017. It has been updated with new content and images.
Kendra says
I really like your recipe. I added more cinnamon because I love it and the cake tasted great. Thank you for sharing another keeper. You’re appreciated. 💕
Karin and Ken says
Thank you for your kind words. You just made my day. All the best. Karin
Carol says
I’ve made this cake several times now and it’s always a hit. Easy as ever. TFS
Karin and Ken says
You’re most welcome. We make it all the time. Take care. Karin
judi lundgren says
i really think you meant to say UNDRAINED with the fruit cocktail...just the dry ingredients and an egg will not make cake batter of any sort...however, once you add a can of UNdrained fruit cocktail it looks like something i'm anxious to have come out of the oven
Karin and Ken says
I apologize for my late reply. Three knee surgeries this year! Regardless. Have a look at the video just posted on the site. It will show you that you do have to drain the fruit salad. This cake is delicious. I really hope you give it a try. Take care and all the best. Karin
Hailey says
I use the whole can of juice and all the fruit plus i add 1/2can of peaches less the juice. Bakes up just fine. Yes it looks sloppy but it tastes great. Thanks for sharing.
Karin and Ken says
Sounds interesting! Might just try that myself! All the best. Karin
Anonymous says
Thanks for sharing this yummy fruit cocktail cake. It will rock in my coming party.
Karin and Ken says
You are welcome! It is delicious! Take care. Karin
Emily P. says
This recipe turned out beautifully! I added cinnamon and a bit of other "pumpkin pie" spices, and it turned out fantastic! My house smells great too. Sweet, moist, and paired well with ice cream. I specifically chose this recipe because I didnt have yellow cake mix, and yet this still came out Smashing! Thank you both for uploading!
Karin and Ken says
My grandma taught me how to make this cake. So happy you enjoyed it. You just made my day. All the best. Karin