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–+ servings
Easy Spread Cake
Easy Spread Cake is a classic mid-century American dessert designed for convenience and crowd appeal. Popular during the era of pantry baking, this recipe relies on canned fruit and boxed cake mix layered directly in the pan, eliminating the need for mixing bowls or complicated steps. The crushed pineapple provides moisture and tang, while cherry pie filling adds sweetness and color. Butter slices melt into the dry cake mix as it bakes, creating a rich, cobbler-like topping with crisp golden edges. Finished with chopped nuts for texture, this cake was often brought to potlucks, church suppers, and family gatherings because it was dependable, affordable, and easy to assemble. Its charm lies in the contrast of gooey fruit, tender cake, and buttery crunch.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 410 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Nonstick cooking spray or butter (for greasing pan)
  • 20 oz crushed pineapple (undrained)
  • 21 oz cherry pie filling
  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • ¾ cup pecans (chopped, or walnuts)
  • ¾ cup butter (thinly sliced (1 ½ stick))

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

  • Grease a 9 × 13-inch baking pan evenly.

Step 2: Add Pineapple Layer

  • Spread the crushed pineapple with its juice evenly over the bottom of the pan.

Step 3: Add Cherry Filling

  • Spoon the cherry pie filling over the pineapple and spread gently.

Step 4: Add Cake Mix

  • Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the fruit layers.

Step 5: Add Nuts

  • Scatter the chopped pecans or walnuts evenly over the cake mix.

Step 6: Add Butter

  • Arrange the thin slices of butter evenly across the top.

Step 7: Bake

  • Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45–60 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.

Tips

  • Use butter straight from the fridge for easier slicing
  • Try pineapple pie filling for extra thickness
  • Substitute white or spice cake mix
  • Use all pecans or all walnuts for a uniform flavor
  • Add shredded coconut for texture
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream
  • Let cool slightly for cleaner slices

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 4gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 360mgPotassium: 190mgFiber: 2gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 520IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 1.6mg
Keyword comfort food, dump cake, easy dessert, fruit dessert, potluck favorite, retro recipe, vintage baking
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