Description
This White Chocolate Cranberry Dump Cake is a simple yet delicious dessert combining tart cranberry sauce, sweet vanilla cake mix, and creamy white chocolate chips. Richly textured with optional nuts and served warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, it’s an effortless treat perfect for holidays and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz) can whole cranberry sauce
- 1 (15.25 oz) box vanilla cake mix
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional; add more or omit as desired)
- 1 cup chopped pecans, macadamia nuts, or almonds (optional)
Serving Suggestions
- Whipped cream (optional, for serving)
- Vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking.
- Prepare the base layer: Spread the entire can of whole cranberry sauce evenly at the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish to form a flavorful, tangy base.
- Add the cake mix: Evenly sprinkle the vanilla cake mix over the cranberry sauce, making sure to cover the sauce completely without mixing the layers together.
- Drizzle with butter: Pour the melted unsalted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix layer to moisten it and help it bake into a golden crust.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle the white chocolate chips and chopped nuts, if using, over the buttered cake mix to add extra texture and flavor.
- Bake the cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the cake’s surface is golden brown and the cranberry sauce is bubbly.
- Cool slightly: Allow the dump cake to cool for a few minutes after baking to set slightly and make it easier to serve.
- Serve: Serve the dump cake warm, topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream as desired. Dust with powdered sugar for a pretty finishing touch if you like.
Notes
- This recipe is extremely flexible—you can omit nuts or white chocolate chips if preferred or replace with other dried fruit or chocolate pieces.
- Make sure not to stir the layers once assembled, as the cake mix bakes over the cranberry sauce to create a layered effect.
- Let the cake rest after baking for better slicing and serving.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Use a good quality vanilla cake mix for best flavor results.
