Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake

Introduction & Inspiration

I’m always drawn to easy, comforting desserts, especially those that showcase seasonal fruits. This Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake, with its promise of a warm, bubbly fruit filling and a simple cake topping, immediately caught my attention! The combination of tart rhubarb and sweet strawberries, along with warm spices and a buttery cake mix crust, seemed like the perfect dessert for a cozy night in, a potluck, or any casual gathering.

My inspiration came from a love of fruit crisps and cobblers, and a desire to find a dessert that was incredibly easy to make, yet still delivered a delicious and satisfying result. The “dump cake” concept, where ingredients are simply layered in a pan and baked, is particularly appealing for its simplicity.

My goal was to explore a recipe that highlighted the unique flavor combination of strawberries and rhubarb, enhanced by warm spices and a buttery cake topping. This Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake seemed to achieve that perfectly: minimal prep time, readily available ingredients, and a straightforward baking process.

This dessert is perfect for potlucks!

Nostalgic Appeal

Dump cakes, while perhaps not as widely known as traditional cakes or pies, hold a certain nostalgic appeal for their simplicity and comforting flavors. They evoke memories of home baking, potlucks, and casual gatherings, where ease and deliciousness are prioritized.

The combination of strawberries and rhubarb is a classic and beloved pairing, often associated with spring and summer desserts, such as pies, crisps, and jams. The tartness of rhubarb perfectly complements the sweetness of strawberries.

The warm spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom – add a layer of warmth and familiarity, reminiscent of spice cakes, apple pies, and other comforting baked goods.

And the overall presentation of the dump cake, with its bubbly fruit filling and golden-brown topping, is reminiscent of home-style desserts, evoking a sense of warmth and nostalgia.

Homemade Focus

While this Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake utilizes a convenience ingredient (spice cake mix), the focus is still very much on the homemade flavors and satisfying process of creating a warm, comforting dessert from scratch. You’re preparing fresh fruit, mixing it with spices and orange liqueur (or juice), and assembling the cake in a simple, hands-on way.

I appreciate recipes that offer a balance between convenience and homemade touches, and this one does it perfectly. You’re saving time by using a cake mix, but you’re still creating a delicious and satisfying dessert with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

The use of fresh (or frozen) rhubarb and strawberries is a key element that elevates this dessert and ensures a vibrant and authentic fruit flavor.

And the act of assembling the dump cake, layering the fruit mixture, cake mix, and melted butter, is a simple yet satisfying process that connects you to your food and allows for a touch of personalization.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal of this Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake is a delightful balance of sweet and tart, with warm spice notes and a buttery, cakey topping. It’s a dessert that’s designed to be both comforting and flavorful, with a perfect harmony of textures.

The strawberry and rhubarb mixture, combined with orange liqueur (or juice), sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, creates a complex and flavorful filling that’s both sweet and tart, with warm spice undertones.

The spice cake mix, sprinkled over the fruit and topped with melted butter, provides a cakey, slightly crumbly topping that complements the fruit filling perfectly. The spices in the cake mix enhance the warm spice notes in the fruit.

The overall effect is a dessert that’s both warm and refreshing, with a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and spicy flavors, and a delightful combination of soft fruit and slightly crisp topping.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s examine the ingredients.

• Fresh or frozen rhubarb, chopped: Rhubarb provides a tart and tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the strawberries.
• Fresh strawberries, quartered: These provide sweetness, juiciness, and a beautiful color.
• Orange liqueur or orange juice:
• Sugar: Adds sweetness to the fruit filling.
• Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom:
• Butter, melted, divided: Some is drizzled over the fruit, and the rest is poured over the cake mix to create a buttery, slightly crisp topping.
• Spice cake mix: This provides the cakey topping and adds another layer of warm spice flavor. You could also use a yellow or white cake mix, but the spice cake mix complements the fruit and spices particularly well.
• Whipped cream, optional: For serving.

This a great list of ingredients.

Essential Equipment

You won’t need much. Here’s a list:

A 13×9-inch baking dish: This is the standard size for this dump cake.

A large bowl: For combining the fruit mixture.

Measuring cups and spoons.

This is a very short list.

List of Ingredients with Measurements

Here’s the complete list of ingredients, with precise measurements:

• 4 cups chopped fresh or frozen rhubarb
• 4 cups quartered fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur or orange juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 3/4 cup butter, melted and divided
• 1 package spice cake mix (regular size)
• Whipped cream, optional

These are perfect quantities.

Have all ingredients ready before you start.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s break down the process into easy-to-follow steps.

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Fruit Mixture. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine the chopped rhubarb, quartered strawberries, orange liqueur (or orange juice), sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.

Step 2: Transfer to Baking Dish. Transfer the fruit mixture to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish.

Step 3: Add Butter and Cake Mix. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of the melted butter over the fruit mixture. Sprinkle the dry spice cake mix evenly over the fruit.

Step 4: Top with Remaining Butter. Pour the remaining melted butter over the cake mix. This helps to moisten the cake mix and create a slightly crisp topping.

Step 5: Bake. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, 45-55 minutes.

Step 6: Serve. Serve warm. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

These instructions are very simple.

Troubleshooting

Let’s address some potential issues:

Problem: My fruit filling is too runny. Solution: If using frozen fruit, make sure to thaw it completely and drain any excess liquid before combining it with the other ingredients. You can also add a tablespoon or two of cornstarch to the fruit mixture to help thicken it.

Problem: My cake topping is dry. Solution: Make sure you drizzled the melted butter evenly over the cake mix.

Problem: My cake isn’t cooked through. Solution: Ensure to follow baking time.

These are useful tips!

Tips and Variations

Here are some great ideas.

Tip: For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe strawberries and rhubarb if they’re in season. Frozen fruit works well too, but make sure to thaw and drain it first.

Variation: Add a layer of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the top of the cake mix before adding the butter, for added crunch and flavor.

Tip: If you don’t have orange liqueur or orange juice, you can use apple juice or even water.

Variation: Use a different type of cake mix, such as yellow or white cake mix, instead of spice cake mix.

Tip: For a more intense spice flavor, add a pinch of ground cloves to the fruit mixture.

Variation: Serve the dump cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead of or in addition to whipped cream.

This recipe can easily be personalized.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake is a warm, comforting dessert.

Serving: Serve the dump cake warm.

Pairing:

• It’s perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or any casual occasion.
• Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Pair it with a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk.
• A glass of dessert wine or a fruity cocktail would also be a nice accompaniment for adults. Drink in moderation.

This is a very versatile dessert.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information is approximate due to variations in specific ingredients and serving sizes. A serving (assuming the dump cake is cut into 12-16 servings) may contain:

• Calories: 300-400 (depending on the cake mix used and whether whipped cream is added)
• Fat: 15-20 grams
• Saturated Fat: 8-12 grams
• Cholesterol: 50-80mg
• Sodium: 200-300mg
• Total Carbs.: 40-50 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 2-4 grams (mostly from the fruit)
• Sugars: 25-35 grams
• Protein: 3-5 grams

This Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake is a dessert and should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

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Recipe Summary and Q&A

Let’s conclude with a final summary and answer some frequently asked questions:

Recipe Summary:

Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake is an easy-to-make dessert featuring a warm, bubbly filling of strawberries and rhubarb, spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, and topped with a buttery, cakey crust made from a spice cake mix. It’s a comforting and flavorful dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.

Q&A:

Q: Can I make this dump cake ahead of time? A: Yes, you can assemble the dump cake ahead of time and store it, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to bake. You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time if baking from cold. You can also bake it ahead of time and reheat it before serving.

Q: How long will the dump cake keep in the refrigerator? A: Leftovers will keep for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, covered.

Q: Can I freeze this dump cake? A: Yes, you can freeze the baked dump cake. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat before serving.

Q: I don’t have rhubarb. Can I use all strawberries? A: Yes, you can substitute the rhubarb with an equal amount of strawberries, but the flavor will be different. Rhubarb adds a unique tartness that balances the sweetness of the strawberries.

Q: Can I skip the orange liqueur? A: yes

I hope this comprehensive guide has inspired you to make your own Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake! It’s a truly easy and delicious dessert that’s perfect for showcasing the flavors of spring and summer. Enjoy the process, and happy baking!