If you love desserts that are easy to make but still deliver big on flavor, you’re going to adore this Cherry Dump Cake Recipe. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, tart cherry pie filling nestled beneath a buttery, golden crumb topping that practically melts in your mouth. What makes this recipe so delightful is its simplicity and minimal fuss—no mixing bowls full of batter to worry about, just layering and sprinkling that results in a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s ready in under an hour. Whether it’s a weeknight treat or your go-to potluck contribution, this Cherry Dump Cake Recipe will soon become a beloved classic in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of pantry staples come together in this recipe to create an irresistible dessert. Each ingredient plays an essential role: the cherry pie filling provides luscious fruitiness and juiciness, the cake mix creates that satisfyingly crumbly topping, and butter adds richness and helps the crumbs brown to perfection.
- Cherry pie filling (2 cans, 540 mL each): The star of the show, delivering sweet-tart cherry flavor and juices that bubble up delightfully as it bakes.
- Yellow or white cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): Acts as the base for the crumbly topping—choose your favorite flavor to subtly influence the cake’s sweetness and texture.
- Melted butter (1/2 cup): Binds the dry cake mix into coarse crumbs and ensures a golden, crispy crust that contrasts perfectly with the soft cherry layer.
- Non-stick cooking spray: Essential to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze while preserving that perfect crust on your cake.
How to Make Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Dish
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it warms up, spray a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray to ensure your cake releases easily after baking.
Step 2: Spread the Cherry Pie Filling
Open your cans of cherry pie filling and evenly pour both into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out gently to create an even, luscious fruit layer that will bake into the bottom of the cake.
Step 3: Create the Cake Mix Topping
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with the dry cake mix. Using your hands or a pastry blender, mix until you achieve a coarse crumbly texture. Don’t overwork—it’s okay to have some larger clumps as these add to the delightful texture of the topping.
Step 4: Sprinkle the Crumb Mixture
Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over the cherry pie filling, making sure to cover as much surface area as possible for uniform baking. This dry crumb layer will crisp up beautifully in the oven.
Step 5: Bake the Dump Cake
Place your dish in the oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Keep an eye out for the topping to turn golden brown and the cherry filling to start bubbling enticingly at the edges—this is when your dump cake is perfectly done.
Step 6: Cool and Get Ready to Serve
Once baked, allow the cake to cool slightly—this lets the filling set up enough to slice neatly while still being warm and comforting. This step is important so you don’t lose that wonderful oozy cherry filling when serving.
How to Serve Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate this homely dessert, try topping each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The cold creaminess perfectly balances the warm, slightly tart cherry filling and buttery crust. A sprinkle of toasted almonds or a light dusting of powdered sugar can add an extra fancy touch.
Side Dishes
This dump cake pairs wonderfully with light accompaniments like a simple fresh fruit salad or a cup of hot coffee or tea. Because the dessert itself is quite rich and sweet, keeping sides fresh and subtle lets the Cherry Dump Cake Recipe shine on its own.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming twist, serve individual portions in small ramekins or mason jars, topped with some fresh mint leaves or edible flowers. Layering it with some crushed graham crackers or adding a swirl of cream cheese frosting on top can add exciting texture and flavor upgrades.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover your leftover Cherry Dump Cake tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen with time, making leftovers just as delightful—or even better—the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze this dump cake by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or placing portions in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently before serving for that fresh-baked taste.
Reheating
Reheat slices in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds or in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. Adding a little scoop of ice cream or whipped cream after reheating helps restore the dessert’s delightful appeal.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?
Using fresh cherries is possible but will require additional steps like cooking them down with sugar and a thickener to replicate the consistency of pie filling. The canned version saves time and ensures the right texture for the Cherry Dump Cake Recipe.
Is it necessary to use yellow or white cake mix?
Yellow or white cake mixes work best because their flavor complements the cherry and buttery topping. Chocolate or spice mixes can overpower or clash with the cherry filling, but feel free to experiment if you’re feeling adventurous.
How can I make this dessert gluten-free?
Simply swap out the regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix variety. Make sure the pie filling you use does not contain gluten-containing additives, and you’ll have a gluten-free version of this fantastic Cherry Dump Cake Recipe.
What type of butter is recommended?
Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt balance in your cake topping, but salted butter works just fine if that’s what you have. Just melt it gently before mixing with the cake mix for an even crumb coating.
Can this cake be made in smaller portions?
Absolutely! You can halve the ingredients and use an 8×8-inch pan. Keep the baking time closer to 40 minutes but check the cake’s readiness by looking for golden crumbs and bubbling filling at the edges.
Final Thoughts
This Cherry Dump Cake Recipe is one of those wonderfully easy desserts that deliver so much joy with minimal effort. It’s quick to assemble, uses familiar ingredients, and bakes into something utterly delicious that everyone will love. If you’re looking for a dessert to impress without the fuss, give this recipe a try—you might just find your new favorite go-to sweet treat.
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Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
- Total Time: 60-65 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cherry Dump Cake is a delightfully easy and sweet dessert that combines luscious cherry pie filling with a buttery crumb topping made from cake mix. It requires minimal preparation and bakes into a warm, gooey treat perfect for any occasion. Serve it straight from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an irresistible dessert experience.
Ingredients
Fruit Filling
- 2 cans (540 mL each) cherry pie filling
Cake Topping
- 1 (15.25 oz) box of yellow or white cake mix
- 1/2 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for even baking once your cake is ready.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Spread Cherry Filling: Evenly pour and spread the two cans of cherry pie filling along the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a juicy base for your cake.
- Prepare Crumb Topping: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter with the dry cake mix. Mix thoroughly using your hands or a pastry blender until the mixture forms coarse crumbs, which will create a crisp topping after baking.
- Top the Filling: Evenly sprinkle the crumb mixture over the cherry pie filling, covering it completely to ensure a perfect balance of fruit and cake.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the cherry filling bubbles at the edges, signaling it’s done.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the dump cake to cool slightly before serving to let the filling set. Optionally, serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Notes
- You can substitute cherry pie filling with other fruit pie fillings like blueberry, apple, or peach for a different flavor variation.
- Using cold melted butter helps create the ideal crumb texture for the topping.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free cake mix but check the pie filling ingredients to ensure it’s gluten-free.
- Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
- To enhance flavor, you can add a teaspoon of almond extract to the pie filling before spreading it in the dish.
