Turn Boring White Cake Mix Into The Best Summer Treat With Just 3 Extra Ingredients

If you aren't already aware, there are endless creative ways to use boxed cake mix that go far beyond following the instructions on the back of the box. When it comes to white cake mix specifically, one easy way to use it up during summer is to mix it with other pantry ingredients, including butter and brown sugar, and seasonal fruit to create a Southern-inspired dump cake. 

There's a long history behind Southern dump cakes, but it comes down to being a dessert reminiscent of a cobbler. Boxed white cake mix will allow the fruit flavors to shine as the core of the dessert, while the butter and brown sugar simply bring it all together with sweetness and fat. 

Some seasonal fruits that are in peak season during summer months from June to August include blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. If berries aren't your go-to fruit, then other options available during these months that work well in dump cakes include peaches, plums, and pluots (a cross between a plum and an apricot). And again, we strongly recommend leaning into the season with fresh fruit — not canned.

To make a dump cake, you quite literally dump each ingredient in layers, as the name implies. Start with fresh fruit, which you should cut into smaller pieces if you're working with options like strawberries or peaches. There should be enough fruit to cover the bottom of your pan, so the amount depends on the size of the baking dish. Next, evenly sprinkle the cake mix directly on top of your fresh fruit, sprinkle your brown sugar, and slice your butter for the top layer — making sure not to mix anything. Depending on your oven, it should be ready in a little over a half-an-hour.

If you're a bonafide home baker and want to step up the dump cake a bit, there are some other ingredients you can add that don't overcomplicate it. For starters, you can toss the fruit in fresh lemon juice to balance the sweetness and prevent browning before you layer it in the pan. Another option is to sprinkle some chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts on top of the cake to add crunch to the top of each bite. When it's time to serve, pair it with a dollop of our honey whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream — and thank us later.