4-Ingredient Blueberry Cobbler Dump Cake
A few days ago I wouldn’t have wanted to give you an update on our huge move. I struggled to find my place in Raleigh over the past three years and spent a lot of time pleading with God to open a door or turn me around or throw me a rope or . . . something. But year after year there were clear indications that I was in process right where I needed to be. Wait. Wait. Wait.
But then I found out the school of my dreams for the past decade had a graduate school, and then I got accepted into that graduate school. A graduate school that just so happened to be located in one of my favorite cities in the world. Every tiny door that hadn’t opened for me was suddenly forgotten as God opened a more amazing door than I’d imagined possible. Grateful, humbled, I committed to walking through that door. But then (fellow believers out there may know what comes next) the last couple of months have been one solid, scary trial.
I shouldn’t be surprised. This is always how growth has gone for me: panic, a white-knuckled desperate faith, and then finally clarity, gratitude, worship. But I found myself more terrified these past couple of months than ever before. Mike hadn’t found a job yet, we hadn’t found an apartment yet, we hadn’t figured out how to get our things or pets to California. Byrd started having all sorts of scary and expensive health problems. Our budget is tiny and the apartments in San Diego are all at least 1 1/2 times our current rent.
Mike and I were at each other’s throats and I was staying up until 2 A.M. every night scouring apartments. At first we wanted a dishwasher, a washer/dryer in our unit, good parking, proximity to downtown San Diego. By the end of our apartment search I found myself questioning whether cockroaches are really that bad or if they’re just misunderstood.
Even when I finally climbed into bed in the wee hours of each morning, I would lie awake trying to forget our move so that I could sleep. I baked dump cakes over and over in my head, all different combinations of dump cakes. One after another after another just to forget. First the can of fruit pie filling, then maybe some nuts, maybe some coconut, maybe another fruit. Then the cake mix, maybe yellow cake or spice cake or lemon cake. Then the melted butter drizzled evenly, maybe a quick tip of the spatula to spread it over some dry parts. Then the oven. Then into the bowl. Then the perfect round scoop of ice cream. And repeat.
Maybe God was siphoning off our time like Gideon’s soldiers, dismantling my best laid plans until nothing was left but two weeks and His grace.
Then suddenly like dominoes, things fell into place: an email pinged into my inbox with the words, “Congratulations! Welcome to your new home!” and the floorplan of our tiny new studio apartment. A lovely couple on Airbnb opened their home to us for the better part of a month until our apartment is ready. A friend messaged me and offered her home as a stop on our cross-country drive. My brother and sister-in-law said we were welcome to stay at their place as well. The shipping company confirmed the pickup days for our shipment of furniture. Mike got an interview. Two days. Just like that. God’s voice: “I’m here. I’m here.”
In their song, “Sowing Season,” Brand New sings, Nothing gets so bad, / a whisper from your Father couldn’t fix it. / He whispers like a bridge, it’s a river spanned.
This time it’s a country spanned.
Over the course of the next few posts, I’ll share some of the easy, simple, delicious cakes that have kept me company in the middle of the night lately.
One year ago: Chile Baked Salmon with Lime Butter
Two years ago: Hot Raspberry Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream
Three years ago: Strawberry Lemonade Cheesecake Bars with a Shortbread Crust
Four years ago: Shredded Wheat (or Weetabix) Breakfast Scramble
Five years ago: Chocolate Pistachio Cupcakes
Six years ago: Angelic Cherry Mousse Cloud Cake with Mascarpone Whipped Cream
Seven years ago: Chocolate Chickie Cake Balls
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 1/2 (21-ounce) cans blueberry pie filling
- 1 (15.25-ounce) package spice cake mix
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
- ice cream for serving, optional
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray 9 x 13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. On a baking sheet lined with foil, toast the pecans for 6-8 minutes or until fragrant, tossing frequently.
- Mix the blueberry pie filling and about half of the toasted pecans together in the prepared glass baking dish. Sprinkle the cake mix over top and then pour the butter evenly over the cake mix. Bake for 35-38 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle on the rest of the toasted pecans and serve immediately with ice cream.
Catherine
July 19, 2016 at 10:19 am (8 years ago)Dear Julie, I am so happy to hear after months of searching you finally found a place. I cannot wait to see all your tasty creations but this four ingredient treat is right up my alley! xo, Catherine
Heather Kinnaird
July 19, 2016 at 1:19 pm (8 years ago)I am so happy to her things are working out for you. moving cross country is scary, but in the end things always seem to come together. and this dump cake could not get any easier
Allison - Celebrating Sweets
July 19, 2016 at 2:39 pm (8 years ago)I love spice cake! This looks divine. I’m glad that you’re getting settled. Enjoy CA!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
July 19, 2016 at 8:54 pm (8 years ago)San Diego (all of CA, really) is beautiful but it’s so gosh darn pricey to live here. Ridiculous, really. I’m just glad you’ll be on my coast! And this dump cake. A month of dump. I WANT TO LIVE WITH YOU.
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
July 19, 2016 at 9:37 pm (8 years ago)That looks positively divine! I love the bit of crunchy nuts on top too! Love your pics!
Jane S
July 20, 2016 at 4:48 pm (8 years ago)I can’t imagine how stressful it must be to try to get so many arrangements in order for such a big move! I’m so glad it is all falling into place for you, Julie. What an exciting time for you both! And lucky us… we get to benefit from all those late, sleepless nights… This dump cake looks delish! 😉
Lisa Roszler
July 20, 2016 at 9:42 pm (8 years ago)California from North Carolina? Man, that’s huge! Congratulations on it all, and a big shout out to God for pulling it all together. I have had my “chess board” times, when God had me parked until all the other pieces were lined up in just the right places, and Whooosh!- I skated along like a Queen piece on the open board!
Or like a dump cake. Throw it all in there and it finds its place through some sort of culinary alchemy.
But the waiting… ugh. And ugh.
Luella Langdon
July 28, 2016 at 4:49 pm (8 years ago)I made this cobbler for a group. Had to bake it 60 min or more because soogie center. My oven is hot at 425.It was good with ice cream but a bit on the dry side.
Julie Ruble
July 28, 2016 at 5:29 pm (8 years ago)Glad you enjoyed it, Luella! Sounds like it might have been overbaked–the center will remain a little gooey because of the hot fruit filling but it sets more as it cools.
lanette
September 21, 2016 at 2:54 pm (8 years ago)i want o make your recipe for the 4 ingredient blueberry cobbler dump cake but would like to substitute the butter for applesauce. am i able to do that? i do not want o use any oils/butter.
Julie Ruble
September 22, 2016 at 3:14 am (8 years ago)I don’t think that’ll work for this recipe, but I haven’t tried it.
lanette
September 21, 2016 at 9:47 pm (8 years ago)whats the best way to store cake when done? refrigerator, kitchen counter?
Julie Ruble
September 22, 2016 at 3:14 am (8 years ago)Covered and refrigerated.
lanette
September 22, 2016 at 10:47 am (8 years ago)can i use coconut oil in place of the butter? I’m trying to stay away from oils/butter. what do u think is the healthiest alternative?
lanette
September 29, 2016 at 12:11 pm (8 years ago)can i use frozen blueberries? do i have to thaw out first or just use frozen?
Julie Ruble
September 29, 2016 at 12:14 pm (8 years ago)Blueberry pie filling has liquid that makes it perfect in this recipe. I’m not sure if frozen blueberries, even thawed, would have enough liquid, and if they did, the liquid wouldn’t have thickeners to give it a nice texture. If you try it, I would thaw the berries and expect a looser texture. Enjoy!