In truth, goalkeeper Derek Soutar gifted Young his three goals with a nervous performance which ensured the scoreline flattered the home side.
Dunfermline – who had only scored four goals in their previous nine matches – managed four before half-time.
It was a splendid start for caretaker manager Jim Leishman, who has been handed the task of steering Dunfermline to safety after the dismissal of Davie Hay after the previous week's defeat at Livingston.
Dunfermline opened the scoring after less than two minutes when Soutar failed to hold a close-in header from Andy Tod and Derek Young slipped the ball into the net from five yards.
Lee Makel then came close with a 25-yard free-kick which was just a foot too high with Soutar floundering.
Neither defence looked particularly impressive and Bobby Mann should have done better then send a header skywards from a Steven Robb cross.
Then, after 23 minutes, Derek Stillie had to leap across his goal to keep out another Mann header after a great cross from Iain Anderson.
But six minutes later, Dunfermline made it 2-0 when Soutar failed to deal with a long free-kick from Stillie and the ball broke invitingly for Derek Young to score his second with another simple chance.
Worse was to follow for Dundee. Before they had time to recover, a harmless looking shot across goal from Darren Young after 32 minutes was turned into his own net by Callum McDonald.
Dundee could scarcely believe it, but only had themselves to blame for some shocking defending.
Their frustrations were obvious when striker Steve Lovell was booked following an altercation with Pars substitute Noel Hunt behind the goal before a corner kick. Hunt was not blameless for his part and had the dubious distinction of being booked even though he was not on the field.
Andrius Skerla made it 4-0 six minutes from half-time when he powered in a header from a Makel free-kick.
Dundee tried to get something back before half-time and a stunning 30-yard volley from Anderson struck the top of the crossbar.
Dundee had the wind at their backs in the second half, but for all their possession, failed to trouble Stillie.
It was Dunfermline who were always more direct and it took a brilliant save from Soutar – his one bright spot in the match – to tip over a 25-yard strike from Makel.
But the respite was only brief. From the resultant corner, Dundee failed to clear and Young outjumped Soutar at the loose ball to head the ball home.
Soutar was spared further blushes moments later when he spilled another cross and Derek Young hooked the ball into the net, but referee Alan Freeland adjudged the Dunfermline player had fouled the goalkeeper.