Cherry Dump Cake: Your Shortcut to Dessert Bliss

Imagine taking just a few ingredients, tossing them together, and pulling a warm, bubbly, golden dessert out of the oven that tastes like you spent hours baking it. Say hello to the Cherry Dump Cake, also affectionately called a lazy baker’s dream dessert! With its gooey layers of cherry pie filling and buttery cake topping, this is one of those desserts that’s as satisfying to make as it is to eat. The best part? NO mixing bowls required! 🙌

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My Cherry Dump Cake Origin Story 🍒

I stumbled upon this recipe during one of those frantic, oh-no-I-forgot-to-make-dessert kind of moments. (You’ve been there, haven’t you?) Hosting a BBQ with friends and scrambling in the pantry, I spotted a can of cherry pie filling and a box of yellow cake mix. From the depths of last-minute panic, the Cherry Dump Cake was born—and let me tell you, it instantly became the HIT of the night. Crunchy on top, gooey in the middle, it’s basically effortless dessert magic.

Ever since that summer evening, this recipe has been my go-to for family gatherings, potlucks, and whenever I need a little sweet pick-me-up. Plus, I love how flexible it is—sometimes I throw in pineapple, other times I top it with cream cheese swirls (yes, it’s delicious). It’s like a warm hug in dessert form, and trust me, you’ll be sneaking seconds (and thirds!).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

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• 🍒 Fool-Proof & Stress-Free: It’s called a dump cake for a reason—you literally “dump” everything in the pan and call it a day. Minimal effort, maximum satisfaction!
• 😍 Budget-Friendly & Pantry-Ready: With just a few inexpensive ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, this is the ultimate easy dump cake recipe.
• ✨ Customizable Dessert Magic: Think cherry cobbler meets pineapple cake, with endless ways to make it your own. Want to add nuts? Go ahead. Feel like switching out cherry pie filling for blueberry or apple? YES, you can do that too!
• 🥰 Family Approved: From picky eaters to dessert enthusiasts, everyone falls head-over-heels for this gooey goodness. It’s perfect for family dinners, holidays, picnics—you name it.

Ingredients You’ll Need

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Here are the stars of this easy cherry dump cake recipe:

1. Cherry Pie Filling (store-bought or homemade!)
2. Yellow Cake Mix (or white cake mix—both work wonderfully!)
3. Butter, melted (for that golden topping)
4. Optional Add-Ins: Crushed Pineapple, Cream Cheese, Chopped Nuts (hello, extra texture!) 👌

Substitutions Made Simple

✋ Quick Note: You’ll find the exact amounts and full instructions in the recipe card below! 😉

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

How to Make Cherry Dump Cake (Step-by-Step) 🍰

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Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab your trusty 9×13 baking dish and give it a light spritz of cooking spray (or a rub with butter) to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Layer the cherry pie filling across the bottom of the dish. Want it extra sweet? Sprinkle a bit of sugar or cinnamon over the filling for some pizzazz.

👉 Pro Tip: If you’re adding crushed pineapple, layer it on top of the cherries to pack in extra juicy flavor! Keep it even for the best texture.

Step 3: Dump the yellow cake mix evenly right over the fruit mixture. Do NOT stir—promise me, okay? The magic happens when it bakes as-is.

Step 4: Drizzle melted butter evenly over the cake mix. Try to cover as much surface area as possible to get that golden, crunchy crust. Optional: Sprinkle with chopped nuts or shredded coconut for a yummy topping.

👉 Extra Pro Tip: Want a creamy twist? Dollop spoonfuls of softened cream cheese over the cake mix before topping with butter. It’s SO good.

Step 5: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. The fruit should be warm and gooey underneath.

Step 6: Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving…if you can wait that long! 🥰

Pro Tips for Perfect Cherry Dump Cake

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• 👩‍🍳 Use Canned Filling Carefully: If you prefer making homemade cherry pie filling, go for it! It’ll taste fresher, but the canned stuff works just as well.
• 🍍 Go Pineapple Crazy: Pineapple adds tanginess that complements the cherries perfectly. Always drain the canned pineapple to avoid a soggy cake.
• 🥶 Keep Some for Later: This freezes incredibly well! Make an extra batch and wrap it up—future you will be SO grateful.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

Once your cherry dump cake has cooled slightly, the fun begins. Here are a few tips to savor every bite:

• 🍦 Serve It Warm: Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for peak deliciousness.
• 💕 Add Garnishes: Sprinkle over powdered sugar or drizzle with caramel sauce for extra flair.

Storage Tips:

• To Refrigerate: Cover leftovers with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• To Freeze: Portion leftovers into airtight containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Simply thaw and reheat in the oven for best results.

Easy Cherry Dump Cake

A delightful dessert that comes together with minimal effort, this Easy Cherry Dump Cake is perfect for gatherings or a sweet treat at home. Layered with cherry pie filling and topped with a buttery cake mix, it’s a foolproof recipe that brings joy to any occasion!

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Equipment

• 9×13 Baking Dish Ideal for perfect layering of ingredients.
• Can opener Necessary for opening cherry pie filling and any fruit cans.
• Spatula or Spoon Used for spreading ingredients in the baking dish.
• Oven mitts Protect your hands while handling the hot baking dish.
• Cooling rack Essential for allowing the dessert to cool before serving.

Ingredients

  

• 1 can Cherry Pie Filling 21 oz
• 1 box Yellow Cake Mix 15.25 oz
• 1/2 cup Butter melted

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1 can Crushed Pineapple 15 oz, drained
• 1/2 cup Chopped Nuts optional for texture
• 1/2 cup Cream Cheese softened, for a creamy twist

Instructions

 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

Layer the Filling:

• Spread the cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the baking dish. If desired, sprinkle a bit of sugar or cinnamon for added sweetness.
• If using, layer the crushed pineapple on top of the cherries.

Add Cake Mix:

• Evenly sprinkle the yellow cake mix over the cherry and pineapple layers. Do not mix; the magic happens during baking!

Drizzle Butter:

• Pour the melted butter evenly over the cake mix, covering as much surface area as possible. Optional: Add chopped nuts or shredded coconut on top if you like.

Bake:

• Place in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Cool:

• Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Serve:

• Enjoy warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, if desired!

Video

Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Customizations: Feel free to substitute different pie fillings (like blueberry or apple) and try adding your favorite nuts or spices for variety.
Make-Ahead: This dessert can be made ahead of time; just reheat before serving. Enjoy!

Nutritional Breakdown

🍒 Bonus: Cherries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, making this indulgent dessert a (slightly) health-conscious choice!

👉 Don’t forget to save this recipe AND pin it to your favorite Pinterest dessert board for later!

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Related Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re drooling over this easy cherry dump cake, you’ll definitely want to check out these:

• Peach Cobbler Dump Cake: A light, summery twist with peaches and spice cake mix.
• Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars: Another gooey, fruity delight you’ll fall in love with!
• Caramel Apple Dump Cake: Fall vibes on a plate!

Essential Tools for Cherry Dump Cake

Here are my personal faves when it comes to dump cake baking:

FAQ: Your Cherry Dump Cake Questions, Answered 🍒

Q1: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Bake it earlier and store it in the fridge—just reheat before serving.

Q2: Can I use fresh cherries?
Sure! Pit and cook them into a jam-like consistency first for the same effect.

Q3: Is this recipe gluten-free?
Swap the cake mix for a gluten-free alternative, and voilà!

Q4: What’s the difference between a dump cake and a cobbler?
A dump cake uses cake mix, while cobbler typically uses biscuit dough on top of the fruit.

Q5: Can I make this dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use a dairy-free butter substitute and confirm the cake mix is dairy-free.

Time to Treat Yourself! 💕

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There you have it—your new favorite easy dessert. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself (because why not?), this Cherry Dump Cake Recipe has you covered. It’s simple, fun, and oh-so-impressive. I’d love to see your creations, so don’t forget to leave a comment below and share your photos on Pinterest.

🍒 Happy Baking, Friends! Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later!

Click here to join me on Pinterest. 😊