Cherry Dump Cake – Only 4 Ingredients!

If you need a super easy dessert recipe, Cherry Dump Cake is it! I explain all about what a “dump” cake is in the FAQ section, so don’t let the name scare you away. This was the first time my husband ever tried this delicious treat and after one bite, he was in love! I kept catching him sneaking bites from the dish after we were done eating the recipe.

Dump cakes are perfect to serve to your family and friends for any holiday gathering because the recipe makes 12 servings and everyone loves it! I’ll definitely be making this dessert again and again.

I made this and loved it! So easy and delicious! Will definitely make again!

— Kate

Why you should make this recipe

• Perfect for serving a crowd. This cherry dump cake recipe makes 12 servings, so it’s a wonderful dessert for holiday gatherings, summer dinner parties, BBQs, and celebrations or an easy weeknight treat.
• So delicious. If you love cherry pie and cherry cobbler, you will love this dessert too! It’s SO good on its own, but it’s next level delicious paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
• Quick & easy. Whipping this up is absolutely effortless. All you need is 4 ingredients and about 10 minutes hands-on time.
• Totally customizable. Not a cherry fan? You can use any fruit filling you want. Feel free to mix up the flavor of the cake mix too.

Ingredients needed

With just four ingredients, there’s absolutely nothing complicated about making this dessert! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Canned cherry pie filling. I’m a huge fan of cherries and I love the cherry and almond extract combination, but feel free to use other fruit fillings. How perfect would apple pie filling with a spice cake topping be for Thanksgiving?!
• Almond or vanilla extract. This ingredient is totally optional, but we love the boost of flavor it gives this dump cake recipe.
• Cake mix. For this particular recipe, I use a yellow cake mix or white boxed cake mix. However, if you love chocolate, a chocolate cake mix would be fabulous! We like Betty Crocker Super Moist cake mix best.
• Melted butter. Gives this cake buttery flavor and makes the cake part bake up just like the crust on a cobbler!

How to make this recipe

Okay, here’s where the name dump cake comes in – we’re going to dump all of the ingredients into the dish! Here’s a quick rundown of the process, but for full instructions, reference the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Prep. Preheat oven and prepare your baking dish. Now, grab all of the ingredients. Your butter will need to be melted.
2. Add almond extract. If using, almond (or vanilla) extract, stir 1/2 of it into each can of cherry pie filling.
3. Add pie filling to pan. Pour both cans of filling into the baking dish and spread it out, so it’s even.
4. Add cake mix. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the top of the cherry filling.

5. Pour the melted butter. Slowly drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix.
6. Bake. Place in the oven and bake until the top is golden brown and the cherries are bubbly.
7. Serve. Remove from oven and enjoy with a big dollop of whipped cream or even better a scoop of ice cream!

Expert tips

• Consistency. Once fully cooked, this should be gooey (like a cobbler) but not runny. If needed, place it back in the oven until the top is golden brown. Since there aren’t eggs in this, we don’t have to worry about the ingredients cooking through. Rather, how “done” you want your cake. Keep in mind it will continue to cook and set up as it cools.
• Gluten free. To make a gluten-free dump cake, simply use your favorite gluten-free cake mix. Be sure to check all labels before using, including the fruit filling.
• Make ahead. This is a great dessert to make ahead of time! You can prepare and bake it earlier in the day and let it sit out until guests arrive. To reheat, microwave portions separately or warm in the oven. If you’re worried about the top getting too brown, loosely place foil on top.

Frequently asked questions

Serving suggestions

A juicy, warm cherry dump cake recipe is amazing on its own, but topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even crème fraîche, dump cake becomes a dinner party-worthy dessert. We even love it cold, for a slightly indulgent breakfast as an addition to yogurt. Yum!

I’ve also used it as a topping for buttermilk pancakes. It was every bit as amazing as what you might imagine!

Variations

There are many slightly different types of dump cake recipes out there. You can easily change up the fruit, use another flavor of cake mix or even add some chopped nuts to the top. Here are some fun ideas:

• Nuts. Add slivered almonds, chopped pecans or walnuts over the top at the end of the baking time.
• Spices. If you’d like you can stir in a couple of teaspoons cinnamon or nutmeg to the pie filling.
• Cake mix. Feel free to use any flavor of dry cake mix you’re craving! Chocolate, strawberry, spice, lemon, cherry chip… the options are endless!
• Fruit. Any canned fruit filling works great. Blueberry or peaches would be delicious and you could even use one can cherry with one can crushed pineapple to make a cherry pineapple dump cake. Pumpkin dump cake is another option.
• Shredded coconut. A little shredded coconut sprinkled over the top at the end of the baking time would be delicious.

Storing & reheating

Cooked fruit desserts usually last just 2-3 days. If you are going to eat the dump cake within a day of making it, you do not need to refrigerate it. Simply cover it with plastic wrap and leave it at room temperature. After 24 hours, cover it and place it in the fridge.

• To reheat in the microwave. Scoop out an individual portion and place in a microwave safe bowl. Cover and reheat for 30-45 seconds or until dessert is heated through.
• To reheat in the oven. Remove the dessert from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake at 350ºF for about 20 minutes or until heated through.

Freezing tips

Dump cakes, just like cobblers can be frozen up to about 1 month. Use freezer and oven safe containers to avoid extra dishes!

To freeze: For best results, wrap the dump cake in plastic wrap and then wrap in foil to keep moisture out and place it in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw and reheat using one of the methods above.

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves this recipe as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.