Cover Image: Dump Cake Magic

Dump Cake Magic

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Member Reviews

This is one book this cook will be sure to own!
Thoroughly explains how to make delicious desserts either from a mix or from scratch. So many unique combinations that a cook will find at least a few to add to their repertoire. Plus since they’re made right in the pan, there’s less clean up! Thankful that the author included desserts that can be baked in a skillet or a 9” pan (as opposed to the usual 9x13”).
No matter what time of the year, you’re bound to find a recipe that’ll fit the occasion.

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Has some really great recipes! Love that they are are desserts & “one dish.” My favorites are the peppermint patty brownies & German chocolate cake.

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In the festive holiday season, looking forward to Christmas, I was in the mood for browsing for some easily made, quick desserts to make. I have to admit that after all, we've been travelling around family so much that I didn't get to actually make any of these cookies/sweets. I longingly went through this book, though.

First of all: I liked this book, but I have to tell I'm a tiny bit disappointed in it, too. I expected some quick recipes that one can make from scratch at home, even if there's only a couple of things left on the shelves. It's not completely like that. The recipes do seem to be easy to follow, but in most of the cases it's actually the recipe that's quick, and not making the cookie. Those can take almost an hour to bake! And they require a mix (of course) that you either buy in the stores (which is to me is not at all the same as making it...) or you have to make and store (freeze) them, so that when you decide to bake something, you can be fast and you have a dessert in no time.

Well, that's something I could figure out on my own. Not 'magic'.

For most of the cakes, you also need some/many ingredients beyond the couple basic ones that you probably always have in your house.

I think it's a very good book for beginners in the kitchen. To those who are more experienced it might be a bit of a disappointment. (I'm far from an experienced housewife, but most of the things written here I could've figure out on my own.) I still think this book can be very usable for ideas! You know when you'd like something sweet, but not in the creative mood. You can just flap this book and see what there's home and what you could make of it. I think I will use this book for that!

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*~.Book Analysis.~*
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader :)

Rating: 5 stars
Reading period: Dec. 22nd, 2018
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley - I have received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Release date: Oct. 08th, 2018

PROS
I wasn’t familiar with the concept of “dump cakes” and I admit I first read it as “dumb” cake, but the dumb one is me I found it simply amazing! By saving time at the mixing process, we are allowed to go further with decoration and flavors! I mean, I love cooking and baking, but it is tiring! Especially after a long day of work, be it for paying bills or cleaning after the house, we just don’t want to stand in the kitchen for too long, even if it means a delicious cake is in order. I’m definitely going to try some recipes this weekend!

CONS
I could kill for cake right now.

COVER ANALYSIS
Come on, it’s a chocolate cake full of dressings! Need I say more??

RECOMMENDED FOR
Baking lovers looking for something easy, different and delicious to cook!

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I love reading cookbooks, and this one was especially fun to read because of all the wonderful photos. It is going to be hard to decide which recipe I want to try first. The simplicity of dump cakes make them perfect for beginning bakers. In fact, the Whacky Cake I have made since I was a young girl is the perfect example of a dump cake. Thanks to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for the opportunity to review Dump Cake Magic.

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I was really looking forward to this book, but it just didn’t hit the spot for me. I did enjoy that each recipe had images and that they walked you through each step, but I didn’t care for the complete image of the featured recipe being at the end of the recipe. I guess I am used to the standard all images of the full recipe being at the beginning of the recipe.

The majority of the recipes you have to use store-bought cake and cookie mixes and with times being like that are now, I along with many others have quit buying all of the processed foods so I was again left disappointed.

When I review a cookbook or baking book I always at least make one or two recipes. I chose to make the Chocolate Mocha Cake and wasn’t impressed with the taste or texture.


I am sure this book is great for a lot of cooks out there, but it’s just not something I would keep on my cookbook shelf to grab every day.

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This book provides numerous types of dump cakes. The recipes are easy to follow and the photos provided with them look scrumcuous.

The luscious cake recipes in this book require common, easily obtained ingredients. You can pick up most of them from a grocery store or even a small quick pick up store. The items are layered or stirred together and the cakes are made quickly.

I highly recommend this book for easy desserts at home or quick dishes to take to the neighborhood potluck. I can’t wait to try them all.


I received an eBook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinions or ratings of this book.

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This whole book was magic, the recipes, the colorful pages and the pictures. Recipes are easy to prepare, take less time, have fewer ingredients and more taste.  The idea and recipe of homemade cake mix was great (I have made and stored one, by the way). For all messy bakers out there (including me), this is the answer. Not one dirty dish except the baking pan. Pictures made it so much better, especially the tips alongside them.  It is a perfect gift for new bakers.

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Dump Cake Magic is a great tool for new bakers. The cakes do not have to be perfect. The ingredients are easy to find, and the pictures in the book were helpful. I appreciated the layout of the cookbook and the many pictures.

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This is a fun and simple dessert cookbook. Dump cakes are simple mix-in-the-pan recipes using mostly convenience items. Most recipes call for a cake box mix, canned fruit, and sometimes another convenience food. I think this is important to know going into reading the book, because some people don't like using convenience items.

Knowing that, I liked this book and I found the recipes fun and easy. Some recipes were very simple and called for very little steps or ingredients and others were more complicated (but still very simple). I really liked that each recipe had a picture of the finished dessert and often pictures of the steps along the way. I always think that a cookbook should have as many pictures as possible! I will definitely try some of these recipes, they look good for a dessert with the family or informal group. I would recommend this book for people looking for casual and easy dessert recipes. It would be easy for teens and younger children (with supervision) to use as well.

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For a quick make dessert or cake recipe book, it is very good. Easy to follow, quick with great photos and reasonably health. These recipes rely on premixed dry ingredients, either home prepared or purchased commercially. All can be made with the use of one utensil, and most have a healthy fruit element. They look great and everyone will love them. All in all, a great book for our busy lives. .

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Dump Cake Magic is a good collection of Dump Cake recipes. I received an arc from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review review.

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#DumpCakeMagic #NetGalley

Yum!! This book is filled with mouth watering, simple recipes. Some extravagant, some common, but everyone is a small list of ingrediants, easy directions and a minimum of dirt dishes, which in this day and age is something to write home about! Pick it up and wow everyone for any holiday!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Fox Chapel Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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I wasn't completely sure what a dump cake was, but this book gave so many yummy-sounding recipes! I can't wait to try some. There were lots of hints given and the pictures were very nicely done, too.

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Okay, full disclosure...this book is GENIOUS! I love dump cakes. They're not only easy to do, but moist and tasty and yummy. This cook book contains so many recipes on flavor combinations I've never thought of dump cake'ing; Apple Pie Snickerdoodle Bars as a dump cake? Sign me in!

One of the best things about this book, is the recipes for making your own pre-made cake mix. I'm not from the US, where you seem to have every flavor of cake mix known to mankind, and with this I'll be able to make my own in bulk, and do the dump cakes whenever I want or need one.

I highly recommend this to anyone looking for awesome cakes!

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I loved this book!! The recipes are delicious, quick and won't break the bank. There's an amazing variety of desserts from Cherry Pineapple Deluxe (my favorite) to Skillet Sugar Cookie to Sweet Potato Cake. There's something for everyone, and anyone can create these delectable desserts. The book is filled with great tips and gorgeous photos of the dishes. I can't recommend it enough!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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Just in time for the holidays, and some time for me to try some of these desserts on my family and friends! I love dump cakes for their simplicity. There are so quick and easy to make, even kids can make some of them with adult supervision! This book is loaded with yummyness! I plan on trying Raspberry Fizz and Black Forest Brownies for the holidays. I bet this book is going to tempt folks off their diets with the wonderful photos! They'll look even better in color in the book!

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Dump cake is a popular topic, as these short-cut desserts are a big help for busy moms! With no dirty bowls and no tedious mixing time, you can toss together a delicious dessert in just minutes. No wonder dump cakes have skyrocketed in popularity lately—they're perfect for busy bakers!

Each recipe is accompanied by full-color photos and simple instructions that mostly use full cans of ingredients so you can leave your clean measuring cups in the cupboard. Layer upon delightful layer, desserts have never been easier. And clean-up? It's a snap!

I love these recipes! They were easy to follow and there was a wide variety of delicious deserts. Rhubarb Betty and Cherry Cola Cake were my favorite.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of #DumpCakeMagic
Pub Date: 08 Oct 2018

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Dump Cake Magic is a collection of one-pan dessert recipes by Anne Schaeffer. Released 8th Oct 2018 by Fox Chapel, it's 128 pages and available in paperback format.

I grew up in the southeastern part of the USA, where every church function and family reunion is guaranteed to have at least one 'dump' cake. In my experience, dump cake was the cherry pie filling + yellow cake mix topped with sliced butter and chopped pecans version. It's simple and delicious and guaranteed to be a no-leftovers favorite.

This collection takes that time-saving idea one step further with a wide variety of tempting desserts. There are (by my count) 60 recipes for variations on the no-bowl one-pan dessert method. Each of the recipes is photographed finished, and a number of the recipes also include process photos. Many of the recipes include serving or preparation tips.

I moved from the USA to Europe years ago, and shocking as it seems, it's very difficult to source 'ready made' boxed cake mixes here. The included recipe for DIY cake mix was literally worth the price of the book for me! What a life saver!

The three trial-review recipes we tested out were all really delicious as they were and needed no tweaking. We fully intend to try out all of the included recipes. In the meantime, my family can fully vouch for: Key Lime Cake (p. 18), Very Berry Cheesecake Squares (p. 68), and German Chocolate Cake (p. 108 (note: this one does require an actual boxed German chocolate cake mix)).

The recipes are simple and delicious and made with easily sourced ingredients, appealingly kid/family friendly. There's also a handy index at the back of the book.

Five stars. Well done!

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I was provided a digital copy of this book by NetGallery in exchange for an honest and fair review.

While I normally avoid any book with the word "DUMP" in it, this one was a surprise. I would guess that about 40-50% of the recipes held some appeal for me and will be served as a simple dessert at my dinner table soon.

The photography in this volume was very appealing and made the recipes look very appetizing.

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