If you have a craving for an easy dessert that’s bursting with rich flavors and requires almost no fuss, this Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe is your new best friend. Imagine luscious cherry pie filling bubbling under a moist, devil’s food cake topping with melted butter weaving it all together to create a warm, chocolaty, and fruity delight that comes together in just under an hour. It’s the perfect treat to share on any occasion, whether it’s a casual weeknight or a festive gathering. Once you try this, it will become a staple in your recipe collection — trust me!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of a few key ingredients. Each one plays its part in delivering the dessert’s delightful contrast of textures and flavors, from the fruity pop of cherries to the rich chocolatey cake and buttery finish.
- Cherry pie filling (2 cans, 21 ounces each): The juicy foundation of the cake providing sweetness and tartness in every bite.
- Devil’s food cake mix (1 box): Brings that deep chocolate flavor and forms the cakey top layer that soaks up the cherry juices beautifully.
- Butter, melted (3/4 cup): Essential to moisten the cake mix and create the golden, crisp topping you’ll adore.
- Whipped topping: Optional but highly recommended for adding a light, creamy contrast when serving.
- Vanilla ice cream: A perfect cool complement to the warm cake, balancing flavors and temperatures for the ultimate indulgence.
How to Make Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). To ensure your cake doesn’t stick, give a generous spray of cooking oil or nonstick spray to the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish. This step guarantees easy serving and clean-up afterwards.
Step 2: Layer Cherry Filling
Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into your prepared pan, spreading them out evenly. This fruit base is packed with flavor and will keep the cake moist with its natural juices.
Step 3: Add Cake Mix
Next, sprinkle the dry devil’s food cake mix evenly over the cherry filling. Don’t worry about making it perfectly smooth — the rustic nature of a dump cake is part of its charm.
Step 4: Add Butter
Carefully drizzle the melted butter over the top of the cake mix, trying to cover as much surface as possible. You can tilt the pan gently to help distribute the butter. Some dry spots won’t hurt because they bake through beautifully, adding subtle texture variations.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Pop the cake into the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are bubbly with cherry juices and the top cake layer is set and lightly crisp. Your kitchen will be filled with an irresistible chocolate-cherry aroma.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes once it’s out of the oven. This brief rest helps the dessert set slightly for easier serving, though I always love it best when it’s warm. Add a dollop of whipped topping or a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side and enjoy every comforting bite.
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the experience, top your slices with fresh cherries or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a pretty finish. A swirl of whipped topping or a scoop of vanilla ice cream brings a creamy contrast that melts perfectly into the warm cake layers.
Side Dishes
This dessert pairs beautifully with a simple cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. For a grown-up twist, a splash of cherry liqueur or chocolate shavings on top can add an extra dimension of flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe in individual ramekins for an elegant presentation, or layer it in a trifle dish alternating with whipped cream for a show-stopping dessert centerpiece. No matter how you serve it, this dish wins hearts every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors just get better as they meld together, though you’ll want to warm them slightly before serving to bring back that fresh-baked feeling.
Freezing
You can freeze the cake once it has completely cooled. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or transfer to a freezer-safe container. It’s best enjoyed within 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, or reheat the entire dish covered with foil in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Serve with your favorite toppings for that freshly baked charm.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?
Fresh cherries work wonderfully but will need to be cooked down slightly with sugar and a thickener like cornstarch to mimic the texture of pie filling. Using canned filling saves time and gives a consistent result for this dump cake.
Is it necessary to melt the butter for this recipe?
Yes, melting the butter ensures it drizzles evenly over the cake mix, soaking and crisping the top layer perfectly. If the butter is not melted, you won’t achieve that irresistible crunchy finish.
Can I make this dessert gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the devil’s food cake mix with a gluten-free chocolate cake mix, and double-check the pie filling ingredients. The rest of the recipe stays the same and tastes just as delicious.
How do I know when the dump cake is done baking?
Look for bubbly edges where the cherry filling meets the cake topping and a fully set cake surface. The top will be slightly crisp and spring back lightly to the touch.
Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
You can double it, but use a larger baking dish and increase the baking time slightly. Keep an eye on the edges and center, using the bubbling and set topping as your guide for doneness.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe is one of those rare desserts that combines ease, comfort, and a wow factor all at once. It’s the perfect solution when you want something truly special without the stress. Give it a try — I promise it will become a beloved staple for your family or friends in no time!
Print
Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake is a simple and delicious dessert that combines cherry pie filling with devil’s food cake mix, baked to bubbly perfection and topped with melted butter. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe perfect for any occasion, served warm with whipped topping or vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
Fruit Layer
- 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling
Cake Topping
- 1 box devil’s food cake mix (about 15.25 ounces)
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
Serving Suggestions
- Whipped topping, for serving
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly spray the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent the dessert from sticking during baking.
- Layer Cherry Filling: Evenly spread the cherry pie filling across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring the base is fully covered.
- Add Cake Mix: Sprinkle the dry devil’s food cake mix uniformly over the top of the cherry pie filling so that it covers the entire surface evenly.
- Add Butter: Pour the melted butter evenly over the dry cake mix layer. Tilt the pan gently to help the butter cover as much of the surface as possible, although some dry patches are fine as they will bake through.
- Bake the Cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the edges of the cake start bubbling and the cake topping is set and firm to the touch.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes after baking. Serve warm, optionally topped with whipped topping or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Notes
- Use a 13×9-inch baking dish to ensure proper cooking and layering.
- Do not stir the layers; the dump cake relies on layering for texture contrast.
- Butter coverage does not need to be perfect; some dry spots will bake through and become moist.
- Feel free to substitute cherry pie filling with other fruit pie fillings like blueberry or apple for flavor variations.
- Serve the cake warm for the best taste and texture experience.
