Directions:

1. Preheat the Oven: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure that it’s fully heated and ready to bake the cake as soon as you assemble the ingredients.
2. Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of butter. This will prevent the cake from sticking and help ensure the golden, crispy edges everyone loves.
3. Layer the Crushed Pineapple: Open the can of crushed pineapple (do not drain the juice) and spread it evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. The pineapple will provide the base of your dump cake, and its natural sweetness and moisture will make the cake incredibly tender and juicy.
4. Add the Shredded Coconut: Evenly sprinkle shredded coconut over the pineapple layer. This adds a delicious tropical flavor and texture to the cake, making each bite even more irresistible. Plus, the coconut will toast beautifully as it bakes, giving the cake a lovely golden color.

5. Top with the Cake Mix: Now comes the fun part dumping the cake mix! Sprinkle the entire box of yellow cake mix evenly over the coconut layer. Do not mix it with the other ingredients just let it sit on top. As it bakes, the cake mix will absorb the flavors of the pineapple and coconut, turning into a delightful, buttery cake topping.

6. Add Butter and Nuts: Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the cake mix. This helps the cake top become golden and crispy. If you’re using chopped nuts, sprinkle them evenly over the top for added crunch and flavor. Walnuts, pecans, or even almonds would be great choices.
7. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy. The cake should be bubbly around the edges, and you’ll notice a delicious aroma filling your kitchen as it bakes.
8. Cool Slightly and Serve: Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This gives the cake time to set and makes it easier to scoop out. Serve warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.