Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake is the ultimate no-fuss dessert that combines rich chocolate cake with sweet-tart cherries for a warm, comforting treat. Ready in under an hour with just four ingredients, it’s the perfect solution when you need something delicious but don’t have time for complicated baking. The contrast between the fudgy cake and juicy cherries creates an irresistible dessert that’s sure to become a family favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ridiculously Simple: Just layer, pour, and bake—no mixing bowls needed! This cake truly lives up to its “dump” name.
• Minimal Ingredients: With just four basic ingredients, this is a pantry-friendly dessert you can make anytime a sweet craving strikes.
• Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of chocolate and cherries is a classic that appeals to almost everyone, making it perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.
• Versatile: Easily customizable with different fillings and toppings to suit your taste preferences.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Cherry Pie Filling: The star of the show that provides sweet-tart flavor and creates a luscious base for the cake. The juice from the cherries will bubble up through the cake as it bakes, creating pockets of fruity goodness.
• Devil’s Food Cake Mix: This dry mix creates the perfect chocolate layer—rich and fudgy with minimal effort. The dry cake mix transforms magically during baking without any prior mixing.
• Butter: Melted butter is the secret ingredient that helps the cake mix transform into a crumbly, rich topping. It creates those wonderful crispy edges while keeping the inside moist.
• Whipped Topping or Vanilla Ice Cream: Optional but highly recommended! The cool, creamy contrast against the warm cake elevates this simple dessert to something truly special.

Variations

Different Fillings

• Berry Bonanza: Replace cherry pie filling with blueberry, strawberry, or mixed berry for a different fruit experience.
• Peach Perfection: Use peach pie filling for a summery twist on this classic dessert.
• Apple Cinnamon: Try apple pie filling with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a fall-inspired version.

Cake Mix Options

• White or Yellow Cake: For a lighter flavor profile that lets the fruit shine more.
• Spice Cake: Particularly delicious with apple or peach filling for a warm, cozy dessert.
• Chocolate Chip Cake Mix: For even more chocolate goodness.

Next-Level Add-Ins

• Nuts: Sprinkle chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds between the filling and cake mix.
• Chocolate Chips: Add a handful of chocolate chips over the cherry layer for extra decadence.
• Coconut: Sprinkle shredded coconut over the top before baking for a tropical touch.

How to Make Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Give your 13×9-inch baking dish a quick spray with cooking spray, focusing on the bottom to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Add the Cherry Layer

Spread both cans of cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. This creates the juicy, fruit base that will partially bubble up through the cake as it bakes.

Step 3: Add the Cake Layer

Sprinkle the dry devil’s food cake mix evenly over the cherry filling. Try to create an even layer without pressing down—we want those cherries to find their way up through the cake!

Step 4: Add the Butter

Pour the melted butter over the cake mix, tilting the pan as needed to cover as much of the cake mix as possible. Don’t worry if some spots stay dry—this creates a nice textural contrast in the finished cake.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 40-45 minutes until the edges are bubbly and the top has set. You’ll know it’s done when the cake has a slightly crackly top and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This gives the filling a chance to settle slightly while still serving the dessert warm. Top with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Butter Coverage: For more even butter distribution, cut the butter into thin slices and arrange them across the top of the cake mix instead of pouring melted butter.
• Check Early: Ovens vary, so start checking your cake around the 35-minute mark. The edges should be bubbling and the top should look set.
• Partial Mixing: If you prefer a more cake-like texture with fewer dry spots, you can gently shake the pan after adding the cake mix and butter to help them combine slightly.
• Quality Ingredients: Since this recipe has so few ingredients, using good quality pie filling and butter makes a noticeable difference in the final result.
• Even Layer: Use a spatula to spread the cherry filling into an even layer before adding the cake mix to ensure consistent baking throughout.

How to Serve

Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake is at its absolute best when served warm, about 10 minutes out of the oven. Here are my favorite serving suggestions:

Perfect Pairings:

• A generous scoop of vanilla ice cream that slowly melts into the warm cake
• Fresh whipped cream with a light dusting of cocoa powder
• A drizzle of chocolate sauce for chocolate lovers
• A sprinkle of chocolate shavings for an elegant touch

Serving Occasions:

• Casual family dessert after a weeknight dinner
• Potluck contribution that will disappear quickly
• Holiday dessert table offering a comforting alternative to traditional pies
• Dessert for unexpected guests (it comes together so quickly!)

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover dump cake covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The texture will change slightly as it sits—the cake portion will become more soft and pudding-like, which many people actually prefer!

Freezing

This cake freezes surprisingly well! Portion it into individual servings, place in freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. The texture may change slightly, becoming more dense after freezing.

Reheating

The microwave is your friend here! Heat individual portions for 30-45 seconds until warm. For a larger portion, reheat in a 300°F oven for about 15 minutes until heated through. Adding a fresh topping of ice cream or whipped cream to reheated portions revitalizes the dessert beautifully.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe with fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?
Fresh cherries won’t work as a direct substitute since they lack the thickness and sweetness of pie filling. If you want to use fresh cherries, you’d need to cook them down with sugar and cornstarch to create a similar consistency. For convenience and consistent results, canned pie filling is recommended.

Why did some parts of my cake mix stay powdery?
This happens when the melted butter doesn’t reach all areas of the dry cake mix. Next time, you can either use more butter, distribute the butter more carefully, or gently shake the pan to help the butter spread. Some people actually enjoy these slightly crispy, less-wet portions for textural contrast!

Can I mix the cake according to package directions instead of using it dry?
That would create a completely different dessert! The magic of dump cake comes from using the dry mix, which creates a unique texture somewhere between cake and cobbler. If you prepare the cake mix with eggs and oil as directed on the package, you’ll end up with a more traditional layer cake on top of cherries.

How do I know when my dump cake is done baking?
The cake is done when the edges are bubbling and the top has a set, slightly crackly appearance. The center should no longer look wet or powdery. If you insert a toothpick, it won’t come out clean like a traditional cake—remember, this is meant to be a gooey, cobbler-like dessert.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake is proof that sometimes the simplest recipes deliver the most satisfaction. Whether you’re a novice baker or just short on time, this dessert delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort. The contrast between rich chocolate cake and sweet-tart cherries creates a comforting dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, from casual family dinners to special celebrations. Give yourself permission to take this delicious shortcut—your taste buds (and grateful guests) will thank you!

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