Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake

Name: Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 2 cans cherry pie filling ((two 20-ounce cans)); 1 box chocolate cake mix ((one 15.25-ounce box)); 1 cup butter, (melted)

This simple chocolate cherry dump cake recipe is easy enough to be made for a weekday dessert, but it's also impressive enough to be part of your holiday feast or family gathering.

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Table of Contents

Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
How To Serve This Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe
When To Serve This Recipe
Storing This Cherry Chocolate Dump Cake
Why We Love This Recipe
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE
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This chocolate cherry dump cake is so simple to make: just pour your cherry pie filling into a casserole dish, top it with chocolate cake mix and butter, and you’re ready for baking. It’s just a few minutes of work and three ingredients, but it tastes so good.

Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Ingredients

If you’re in the mood for something sweet and indulgent, look no further than chocolate cherry dump cake.

This decadent dessert is the ultimate blend of two flavors that just belong together.

Imagine a warm, gooey chocolate cake studded with juicy, sweet cherries and topped with a crisp, buttery crust.

You’ll need:

2 (20-ounce) cans of cherry pie filling
1 (15.25-ounce) box of chocolate cake mix (choose a rich chocolate flavor like Devil’s Food cake)
1 cup of butter, melted

PRO TIP:

When buying the cake mix, it is best to pick one that doesn’t have pudding mix in it; check the label to make sure.

Substitutions And Additions

TOPPINGS: Chopped candy, chocolate chips, nuts, toffee chips, or other types of baking chips would also be great sprinkled on top.

Drizzle caramel sauce or chocolate sauce on top for an even more gooey flavor.

CAKE MIX: You could use either a plain chocolate cake mix or a Devil’s Food cake mix for this recipe for an even richer chocolate flavor.

Brownie mix would also make your chocolate dessert extra fudgy.

CHERRY PIE FILLING: While cherry pie filling is a classic choice for this dump cake, you can experiment with different fruit pie fillings for a unique flavor.

Try using blueberry, peach, or raspberry pie filling to create a tasty variation.

Keep in mind that the sweetness level may vary with different fruit fillings, so adjust the sugar if needed.

BUTTER: If you’re looking for a dairy-free option or simply want to reduce the fat content, you can use vegan butter or margarine as a substitute.

Just ensure it’s a suitable replacement for baking to maintain the desired texture and flavor.

How To Make This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

This might just be the easiest recipe to make. Here’s how it comes together.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

You’ll want to use a 9×13-inch pan so that the texture and consistency are right.

I’ve used an 11×7-inch pan before and it turned out a little too thick, which changed the delicious texture of the dump cake.

STEP TWO: Pour two cans of cherry pie filling evenly along the bottom of the pan.

PRO TIP:

Sometimes a pit sneaks into your canned cherry filling. I suggest taking a quick glance when pouring your cherries out to be sure there isn’t a pit inside.

cherry pie filling spread at the bottom of a baking dish

STEP THREE: Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over the top of the cherry pie filling.

cake mix sprinkled on top of the cherry pie filling in the baking dish

STEP FOUR: Pour melted butter evenly across the whole dish.

melted butter poured on top of the cake mix in the baking dish

STEP FIVE: Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes until the fruit is bubbly and the cake is cooked through.

PRO TIP:

Because dump cakes are so gooey and moist, it can be hard to determine if they’re done.

It’s normal to see some wet spots and some spots that are more crisp and done.

The fruit mixture should be bubbly around the edges of the pan when it’s finished baking.

Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake after being baked in a baking dish

STEP SIX: Serve warm. You can top it off with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if you’d like.

How To Serve This Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe

Make this cherry chocolate dump cake even more indulgent by serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of hot fudge sauce, and maraschino cherries

If you’re feeling adventurous, try drizzling some caramel sauce or chocolate ganache to take this dessert to the next level.

Transform your dump cake into a parfait by layering it with whipped cream and fresh berries in individual glasses.

If you’re a coffee lover, pair your chocolate cherry dump cake with a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

Looking for more easy dessert ideas? We love our cherry dump cake and cherry pineapple dump cake recipes.

When To Serve This Recipe

WEEKNIGHT DESSERT: Whip up this cake on a regular weeknight when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

FAMILY GATHERINGS: Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a larger gathering, this dump cake is a crowd-pleaser.

POTLUCKS: When you’re invited to a potluck, or you’re hosting one, this cake is a great choice.

PICNICS: Pack a container of chocolate cherry dump cake for your next picnic adventure.

DATE NIGHT IN: Planning a cozy date night at home? Surprise your partner with a homemade chocolate cherry dump cake.

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Storing This Cherry Chocolate Dump Cake

Proper storage ensures that you can savor this treat over time without sacrificing its deliciousness.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning ahead for a special occasion or simply want to prep in advance, you can assemble the dump cake up to the point just before baking.

Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator.

When you’re ready to bake, simply pop it into the oven, following the original baking instructions.

IN THE FRIDGE: Once the dump cake has cooled, store it in the fridge covered tightly with plastic wrap for up to five days.

IN THE FREEZER: Store this chocolate cherry cake recipe in an airtight container for up to three months.

Let it thaw in the fridge overnight when you want to serve it, then bake at 350°F for 10 to 20 minutes until it’s warmed back through.

REHEATING: When it’s time to enjoy your refrigerated or frozen dump cake, there are a few methods you can use to reheat it:

OVEN: For the best results, reheat the cake in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover it with foil to prevent excessive browning and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until it’s heated through. If reheating from frozen, it may take a bit longer, so keep an eye on it.
MICROWAVE: While not the ideal method, the microwave can work for reheating smaller portions. Place an individual serving on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 20-30-second intervals, checking the consistency until it’s warmed to your liking.

Why We Love This Recipe

QUICK AND EASY: The “dump and bake” method means minimal prep work, making it perfect for busy days or last-minute dessert cravings.

DELICIOUS FLAVOR: The combination of chocolate cake mix and sweet-tart cherry pie filling creates plenty of flavor in every bite.

CROWD-PLEASER: Whether you’re serving it to family, friends, or guests at a potluck, this dessert is a guaranteed hit.

MINIMAL CLEANUP: Since you only need one baking dish, cleanup is a breeze. Plus, there’s no need for multiple mixing bowls or utensils.

This simple three-ingredient chocolate cherry dump cake recipe is moist and decadent. The chocolate is the perfect combination alongside the cherry flavors. This recipe is fantastic for any celebration or everyday dessert.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a dump cake?

A dump cake is an easy cake in which the recipe calls for the ingredients to be dumped into the baking pan and baked.

Usually, they use a boxed cake mix and a handful of additional ingredients.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free or vegan?

You can adapt this recipe to be gluten-free or vegan by using gluten-free cake mix and dairy-free butter substitutes.

Be sure to check the labels of your chosen ingredients to ensure they meet your dietary needs.

Can I serve this dessert cold?

While it’s traditionally served warm, you can certainly enjoy it cold if you prefer.

It will have a firmer texture when chilled, making it more like a cake bar.

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Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake

5 from 6 votes

This simple chocolate cherry dump cake recipe is easy enough to be made for a weekday dessert, but it's also impressive enough to be part of your holiday feast or family gathering.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 5

Servings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Ingredients

2 cans cherry pie filling (two 20-ounce cans)
1 box chocolate cake mix (one 15.25-ounce box)
1 cup butter, melted

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray.
Pour the 2 cans of cherry pie filling evenly along the bottom of the pan.
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top of the cherry filling.
Pour the melted butter evenly across the whole dish.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until the fruit is bubbly and the cake is cooked through.
Serve warm. You can top it off with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if you'd like.

Video

Notes

When buying the cake mix, it is best to pick one that doesn’t have pudding mix in it; check the label to make sure.
You’ll want to use a 9×13-inch pan so that the texture and consistency are right. I’ve used an 11×7-inch pan before and it turned out a little too thick, which changed the delicious texture of the dump cake.
Sometimes a pit sneaks into your canned cherry filling. I suggest taking a quick glance when pouring your cherries out to be sure there isn’t a pit inside.
Because dump cakes are so gooey and moist, it can be hard to determine if they’re done. It’s normal to see some wet spots and some spots that are more crisp and done. The fruit mixture should be bubbly around the edges of the pan when it’s finished baking.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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Layne Kangas Marketing
Rhadonda Sedgwick Creative Director
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Andra Willits Writer + Editor

Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake

Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Ingredients

Substitutions And Additions

How To Make This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

How To Serve This Chocolate Dump Cake Recipe

When To Serve This Recipe

Mayonnaise Cake

Crazy Cake

Storing This Cherry Chocolate Dump Cake

Why We Love This Recipe

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