
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2016

Banana Split Dump Cake is the BEST DESSERT EVER! This easy dump cake recipe is thrown together in minutes with just 8 ingredients. A tasty banana split cake made with banana pudding, fresh fruit, and cake mix for an easy dessert. It’s sure to be an instant crowd pleaser!

Banana Split Dump Cake
Dump cakes are so easy and so delicious. This banana split cake recipe is one of my favorites, and I just know you’re going to love it!
Let’s be honest, how many of us have time to cook every single recipe from scratch? Sure, there are always those one-of-a-kind chocolate chip cookie , bundt cake , or pie crust recipes that HAVE to be followed word for word and passed down through generations, but sometimes simple recipes made quickly with store-bought ingredients are the perfect fix for your sweet tooth!
I have a soft spot for dump cakes, and this Banana Split Dump Cake recipe is my personal favorite! It is BEYOND easy, thrown together in minutes, and sure to please. It’s gobbled up at parties, family get-togethers, or even just a Wednesday night in with my husband. It doesn’t get easier or more delicious than this!
This is one of those recipes that’s hard to mess up, and it’s just as hard not to eat it all at once! Add this dessert to your summer favorites, add whipped cream or a little bit of ice cream, and enjoy!

What is a dump cake?
A dump cake is similar to a cobbler, where you have a layer of fruit or other filling, covered by a layer of cake. Essentially, you place the filling along the bottom of the baking pan, then dump cake mix on top of it, bake, and eat!
It’s like the easiest form of cake making there is, and it always tastes amazing! Kind of hard to go wrong with this.
Banana Split Cake
The secret ingredient to keeping this Banana Split Cake recipe super moist and delicious is Banana Cream instant pudding! The pudding is mixed with white cake mix, making the perfect flavor combo. It comes out not too sweet, not too bland, and most importantly, it’s SO EASY. What more could we ask for from a dessert?!
I crave this sweet, flavorful dump cake recipe year-round. Luckily for us, it only has 8 ingredients and has about 10 minutes of prep time. Win, win!
Banana Pudding Dump Cake Ingredients:
- White Cake Mix (just grab a box from the store and you’re good to go!)
- Instant Banana Cream Pudding Mix
- Chocolate Chips
- Skim Milk
- Fresh Strawberries
- Bananas
- Pineapple
- Sugar
And don’t forget the whipped cream for serving. And ice cream…banana split cake calls for a side of ice cream!

How to Make Dump Cake
The bottom layer of this banana split cake recipe is a mix of fresh strawberries, pineapple, and banana. Each bite tastes like a fun and fresh banana split, in cake form. Fun baking at its finest!
Let me show you how simple it is to make!
- Start by preheating the oven to 350°F and spraying your baking dish (use a 9 x 13 dish) with non-stick spray.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the banana pudding mix with skim milk. Then whisk in the cake mix until everything is fully combined (it will be pretty thick).
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- In a separate bowl, combine strawberries, bananas, pineapple (if you use canned pineapple, make sure to drain it first), and sugar. Let the mixture macerate for at least 5 minutes.
- To make the cake, pour the fruit mixture into the bottom of the baking dish in a thin layer. Then pour the cake and pudding mixture on top, spreading it into a smooth layer.
- Bake for 45-60 minutes at 350°F (use a toothpick to check for doneness; it should come out clean).
I love serving this cake warm, topped with whipped cream and extra slices of banana. But you can add ice cream, other fruit, or even serve it chilled.
How to store dump cake?
To store any leftovers, let the cake cool completely. The easiest way to store it is to cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and then refrigerate it. When ready to serve again, you can serve it cold, or pop it back in the oven to reheat. You could also reheat individual pieces in the microwave, and it tastes just as good (and it’s a lot easier).

I hope you enjoy this Banana Split Dump Cake recipe as much as we do! This is such a great dessert to take to a potluck, because you’ll look like a total star and people will eat it up immediately. You don’t have to tell them it’s made with cake mix! It can be our little secret.
If you like this recipe, try our other easy cake recipes:
- Pumpkin Dump Cake
- Peanut Butter Banana Bundt Cake
- Oreo Poke Cake
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
- Best Banana Cake with Kahlua Whipped Cream
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 3.4 ounces instant banana cream pudding mix 96 grams (1 small box)
- ▢ 1¾ cups skim milk 397 grams
- ▢ 15.25 ounces White Cake Mix 422 grams (1 box) - I used the Super Moist Deluxe White
- ▢ ½ cup milk chocolate chips 85 grams, best quality
- ▢ 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries 167 grams
- ▢ 2 bananas sliced
- ▢ 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple 170 grams
- ▢ ¼ cup granulated sugar 50 grams
- ▢ Whipped cream optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the pudding mix with the milk. Whisk until fully combined. Use a large spoon or whisk to add in the cake mix until fully incorporated and smooth. The mixture will be quite thick, which is fine. Stir in the chocolate chips. Set aside. 3.4 ounces instant banana cream pudding mix, 1¾ cups skim milk, 15.25 ounces White Cake Mix, ½ cup milk chocolate chips
- In another large bowl, mix together the strawberries, banana, pineapple, and sugar. Stir to combine and let macerate for at least 5 minutes. 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries, 2 bananas, 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple, ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Pour the macerated fruit into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, making a thin layer.
- Top with the cake mix/pudding mixture and spread with a spatula or spoon to create a smooth top.
- Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the cake is completely cooked through (when a toothpick inserted in comes out clean).
- Serve warm topped with fresh whipped cream, if desired. Whipped cream
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9x13 Baking Pan
Becky’s Tips
- You can use white, vanilla, or yellow cake mix.
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
- You can use frozen strawberries and/or pineapple. Be sure to thaw before using.
- You can use canned pineapple. Be sure to drain before using.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Banana Split Dump Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9x13 Baking Pan
Ingredients
- 3.4 ounces instant banana cream pudding mix 96 grams (1 small box)
- 1¾ cups skim milk 397 grams
- 15.25 ounces White Cake Mix 422 grams (1 box) - I used the Super Moist Deluxe White
- ½ cup milk chocolate chips 85 grams, best quality
- 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries 167 grams
- 2 bananas sliced
- 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple 170 grams
- ¼ cup granulated sugar 50 grams
- Whipped cream optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the pudding mix with the milk. Whisk until fully combined. Use a large spoon or whisk to add in the cake mix until fully incorporated and smooth. The mixture will be quite thick, which is fine. Stir in the chocolate chips. Set aside. 3.4 ounces instant banana cream pudding mix, 1¾ cups skim milk, 15.25 ounces White Cake Mix, ½ cup milk chocolate chips
- In another large bowl, mix together the strawberries, banana, pineapple, and sugar. Stir to combine and let macerate for at least 5 minutes. 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries, 2 bananas, 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple, ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Pour the macerated fruit into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, making a thin layer.
- Top with the cake mix/pudding mixture and spread with a spatula or spoon to create a smooth top.
- Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the cake is completely cooked through (when a toothpick inserted in comes out clean).
- Serve warm topped with fresh whipped cream, if desired. Whipped cream
Notes
- You can use white, vanilla, or yellow cake mix.
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
- You can use frozen strawberries and/or pineapple. Be sure to thaw before using.
- You can use canned pineapple. Be sure to drain before using.
Nutrition

By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017

This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.

Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!

Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!

Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On

Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)

Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen

Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen

Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use

26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them

What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?

Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)

How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)

Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
