world's easiest cakes, The

Southern Living, May 2002 by Poellnitz, Vicki A, Powell, Loree Jean, Beales, Wiley R, Croy, Deborah, Et al

These delectable dump-and-stir desserts are as simple to make as their name implies.

When my children were younger and required a lot more supervision, I bound it very convenient to bring the packaged ingredients for a dump cake with me on our trips to the lake. There I would quickly assemble them, pop the batter in the oven, and remove a yummy treat ready to serve warm with homemade ice cream.

These versatile delights, especially Apple-Blueberry Crunch or CherryPineapple Dump Cake, can be made with almost any canned fruit and any flavor of cake mix. Add butter and your choice of chopped nuts to create your own version. (See facing page for a few of our suggestions.) You'll be ready to enjoy an old-fashioned dessert no matter where you choose to serve it. Just don't forget the ice cream-homemade or from the store. VICKI A. POELLNITZ

TROPICAL DUMP CAKE

MAKES 8 TO 10 SERVINGS

DRAIN 1 can crushed pineapple, and spread all of pineapple on bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan. Sprinkle cake mix over fruit. Dot evenly with butter; sprinkle with pecans. BAKE at 350 deg for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Serve with ice cream. Prep: 10 min., Bake: 50 min.

LOREE JEAN POWELL GLOUCESTER, VIRGINIA

CHERRY-PINEAPPLE DUMP CAKE

MAKES 8 TO 10 SERVINGS

SPREAD crushed pineapple on bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan. Top pineapple with cherry pie filling, and sprinkle cake mix evenly over fruit. Drizzle with melted butter, and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

SAKE at 350 deg for 50 to 60 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Serve with ice cream. Prep: 10 min., Bake: 1 hr.

WILEY R. BEALES ELIZABETH CITY, NORTH CAROLINA

BLACK FOREST CRISP

MAKES 8 TO 10 SERVINGS

LAYER cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, slivered almonds, chocolate morsels, and flaked coconut in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle cake mix over layers, and dot evenly with butter.

BAKE at 350 deg for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Serve with ice cream. Prep: 15 min., Bake: 50 min.

DEBORAH CROY BELTON, MISSOURI

APPLE-BLUEBERRY CRUNCH

MAKES 8 TO 10 SERVINGS

SPREAD apple pie filling on bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan.

Toss together frozen blueberries and 3/4 cup sugar, and spoon over apple pie filling. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over fruit, and drizzle with melted butter. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts and remaining 1/4 cup sugar.

BAKE at 350 deg for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Serve with ice cream. Prep: 10 min., Bake: 50 min.

BARBARA SHERRER BAY CITY, TEXAS

GERMAN CHOCOLATE SNACK CAKE

MAKES 18 SQUARES

This dessert requires a little more effort than the others, but it's worth it.

STIR together cake mix, 1 egg, pecans, and butter; press mixture into bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan. BEAT sugar, cream cheese, and remaining 3 eggs at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Spoon powdered sugar mixture over batter in pan. BAKE at 300 deg for 1 hour. Cool and cut into 2 1/2- to 3-inch squares. Serve with ice cream. Prep: 15 min., Bake: 1 hr.

PATRICIA BEAM FALLSTON, NORTH CAROLINA

GET CREATIVE WITH DUMP CAKES

Mix-and-match these ingredients according to the proportions used in our recipes for a wide variety of combinations. Or use this list to brainstorm even more possibilities.

Frozen fruit: blueberries, raspberries, sliced strawberries

Canned pie fillings: apple, cherry, peach, blueberry, strawberry

Cake mixes: yellow, white, chocolate, spice, strawberry

Toasted nuts (chopped or slivered):

pecans, walnuts, peanuts, almonds

Toppings:

milk chocolate morsels, semisweet chocolate morsels, white chocolate morsels, sweetened flaked coconut, cinnamon