If you’re craving a dessert that’s fruity, warm, buttery, and delightfully simple to make, then this Cherry Dump Cake is the perfect solution. It’s the type of dessert that feels indulgent and homemade but comes together with minimal effort—ideal for weeknights, holidays, potlucks, and every moment in between.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of creating the perfect cherry dump cake, offer mouthwatering variations, provide troubleshooting tips, and give you a peek into the creative magic you can spark from a humble can of cherry pie filling.
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Dump Cake 🍒
- Minimal Prep: No mixing bowls, no electric mixers—just layer and bake.
- Pantry Staples: Made with cake mix and canned cherries, meaning you can make it anytime.
- Crowd Favorite: A guaranteed hit at gatherings, birthday parties, and holiday dinners.
- Versatile: So many delicious variations (more on that below!).
- Cozy Comfort Food: Best served warm with vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This dump cake recipe sticks to the basics, but don’t be fooled—every bite is packed with rich cherry flavor and buttery goodness.
Core Ingredients:
- 1 can (about 21 oz) cherry pie filling (or 4 cups homemade cherry pie filling)
- 1 box yellow or white cake mix (your preferred brand, such as Betty Crocker)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness and depth)
- 2 tablespoons carob fruit syrup or agave syrup (for caramel-like flavor and moisture)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but enhances flavor)
Optional Toppings:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Crushed nuts (pecans or almonds work well)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make the Perfect Cherry Dump Cake
1. Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to fully preheat before baking. This ensures even cooking.
2. Prepare Your Baking Dish
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. This helps prevent sticking and gives a crisp edge.
3. Add the Cherry Pie Filling
Spread the cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the dish. If the filling is slightly tart, stir in the brown sugar for added sweetness.
4. Sprinkle the Cake Mix
Without mixing, evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the cherry layer. It should cover all the filling completely.
5. Drizzle the Butter and Syrup
Pour the melted butter over the cake mix, ensuring it’s distributed as evenly as possible. Follow with the carob syrup or agave syrup—this enhances flavor and helps with browning.
6. Bake
Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly around the edges. The edges may look slightly crispy—this is perfect!
7. Cool Slightly and Serve
Allow the dessert to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the best experience.
Cherry Dump Cake Tips & Tricks
- Even Coverage: Try to drizzle the butter evenly so the cake bakes uniformly. Dry patches are the enemy!
- Add Nuts: Sprinkle crushed nuts over the top before baking for added texture.
- Test with a Spoon: You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are crisp, and a spoon comes out clean with gooey cherry goodness.
- Don’t Mix the Layers: Resisting the urge to stir is key to achieving the right texture.
Creative Variations to Try 🎂
Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Swap yellow cake mix for chocolate cake mix and add a few chocolate chips before baking. A rich Black Forest twist!
Cherry Cheesecake Dump Cake
Add small spoonfuls of cream cheese across the cherry layer before adding cake mix. It creates creamy, tangy pockets of cheesecake flavor.
Almond Cherry Dump Cake
Mix 1 tsp almond extract into the pie filling and top the cake with sliced almonds before baking.
Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake
Add a drained can of crushed pineapple to the cherry filling layer for a tropical sweetness.
Berry Medley Dump Cake
Combine cherry pie filling with blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a complex berry twist.
Cinnamon Apple-Cherry Dump Cake
Mix sliced apples with cherry pie filling and sprinkle cinnamon over the cake mix before baking.
Serving Suggestions 🍨
- Warm with Vanilla Ice Cream: Classic combo!
- With Coffee or Tea: Serve a small slice during afternoon tea.
- As a Holiday Dessert: Add red and green sprinkles or a dash of cinnamon for a festive touch.
- Chilled with Cream: Chill leftovers and top with whipped cream.
Storing & Reheating
- To Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30–45 seconds or in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.
- To Freeze: You can freeze cooled cherry dump cake in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make cherry dump cake ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble it and refrigerate before baking (up to 24 hours ahead), or bake it and reheat before serving.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned?
Absolutely. Just cook them down with sugar and a bit of cornstarch first to mimic the texture of pie filling.
Is dump cake the same as cobbler?
They’re similar, but dump cake uses dry cake mix, whereas cobblers often use biscuit or batter topping.
Can I use other cake mix flavors?
Yes—chocolate, spice, lemon, and even red velvet work wonderfully.
Why is it called a “dump cake”?
Because you literally dump the ingredients into the pan—no mixing bowls required!
Final Thoughts 💬
This Cherry Dump Cake is proof that delicious desserts don’t need to be complicated. With just a handful of pantry staples and less than an hour, you can create a dessert that’s warm, comforting, and full of old-fashioned flavor. Whether you stick to the classic or explore one of the variations, this is one recipe you’ll turn to again and again.
