Our old fashioned Rhubarb Dump cake recipe is an easy one dish dessert that's tangy and sweet in each bite. This delectable, easy-to-make dessert is perfect for showcasing the tartness of fresh rhubarb.
With only five ingredients, this rustic delight could be on your table tonight!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This foolproof Rhubarb Dump Cake recipe features tangy rhubarb nestled in layers of crumbly cake and buttery streusel - all you need to do is dump the ingredients into your pan and let your oven do the work for an irresistible homemade treat.
This old fashioned recipe is super simple to make, even on a busy weeknight.
- Super easy. Simply layer the rhubarb, cake mix, butter, and water in a baking dish and bake. No mixing or stirring required!
- Versatile. You can use fresh or frozen rhubarb, and you can also add other fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. Canned pie filling works great too (my ex husband's family calls it Cherry Glop when canned pie filling is used)!
- Delectable. The tart rhubarb is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the cake mix and the buttery topping.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Rhubarb Dump Cake Ingredients
- What Is A Dump Cake?
- How to Make Rhubarb Dump Cake
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions and Variations
- Equipment
- Storage and Reheating
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- 📖 Recipe
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
Rhubarb Dump Cake Ingredients
With only five ingredients and just a few minutes, this rustic delight could be on your table tonight! Read on to find step by step instructions for making this delicious creation that will be sure to wow your family and friends.
- Rhubarb - Fresh preferably, but frozen works also!
- Strawberry Jello - Or, any small 3 oz box of any red gelatin dessert.
- Sugar
- Butter - Melted.
- Water - Use cold water.
What Is A 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.
Dump cakes are a quick and easy dessert that is perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks. They are also a great way to use up leftover fruit.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Rhubarb Dump Cake
Rhubarb Dump Cake is a delicious dessert that is perfect for spring and summer. Made with fresh or frozen rhubarb, cake mix, butter, and water, this cake is simple to throw together and always a crowd-pleaser.
Prepare The Rhubarb
- Preheat the oven to 350℉, and spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish with non stick cooking spray.
- Wash and trim the ends off the fresh rhubarb. Cut into 1" pieces and spread in the bottom of the casserole dish.
Layer The Ingredients
If you're using frozen rhubarb or other fruit, be sure to thaw it first. You can just dump the frozen fruit into the baking dish and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle the Strawberry Jello over the cut rhubarb first, then sprinkle the sugar over the Jello.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the sugar and Jello covered rhubarb.
Add Butter and Water
- Drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix topped fruit mixture, then carefully pour the water over the everything.
Bake and Cool
- Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for about 20 minutes before serving. Serve alone or with ice cream or whipped cream.
Serving Suggestions
Rhubarb Dump Cake is a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that is perfect for spring and summer. The tart rhubarb is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the cake mix and the buttery topping.
Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream. I hope this cake is as much a hit with your family as it was with mine!
Some additional easy desserts:
- Angus Barn Chocolate Chess Pie
- Orange Fluff
- Cinnamon Stewed Pears
- TikTok Cinnamon Rolls
- Pecan Upside Down Cake
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few variations using this rhubarb dump cake recipe as a base:
- Use yellow cake mix instead of white cake mix.
- Add other fruits to the cake, such as strawberries, blueberries, or peaches.
- Top the cake with ice cream, whipped cream, or your favorite toppings.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this rhubarb dump cake recipe.
Storage and Reheating
- Rhubarb dump cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- It can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, thaw the cake overnight in the refrigerator and then bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- You can also reheat in the microwave, but be careful, as the rhubarb mixture get very hot, quickly!
Tips for Success
- Use fresh rhubarb if possible. Fresh rhubarb will have a brighter flavor than frozen rhubarb.
- If you are using frozen rhubarb, thaw it completely before using.
- If you don't have rhubarb available, strawberries work just as well!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can add other fruits to this recipe. Some popular choices include strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
Once the cake is cool, you can wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Yes, you can use frozen rhubarb. Just make sure to thaw it completely before using.
The cake is done when the top is golden brown and the rhubarb is tender. You can also insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
📖 Recipe
Rhubarb Dump Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb rhubarb fresh, cut into 1" chunks
- 1 pkg strawberry gelatin dessert 3 oz box
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 pkg White cake mix or yellow cake mix
- ½ cup butter 1 stick
- 2 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉, and spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish with non stick cooking spray.
- Wash and trim the ends off the fresh rhubarb. Cut into 1" pieces and spread in the bottom of the casserole dish.1 lb rhubarb
- Sprinkle the Strawberry Jello over the cut rhubarb first, then sprinkle the sugar over the Jello.1 pkg strawberry gelatin dessert, ¾ cup sugar
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the sugar and Jello covered rhubarb, making sure to evenly distribute it.1 pkg White cake mix
- Drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix topped fruit mixture, then carefully pour the water over the everything.½ cup butter, 2 cup water
- Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for about 20 minutes before serving. Serve alone or with ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- Use fresh rhubarb if possible. Fresh rhubarb will have a brighter flavor than frozen rhubarb.
- If you are using frozen rhubarb, thaw it completely before using.
- If you don't have rhubarb available, strawberries work just as well!
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