Easy Cherry Dump Cake Recipe (3-Ingredient) + Video
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Cherry Dump Cake is the easiest dessert ever! An easy dump and bake cake that’s made with cake mix, make this recipe for a sweet treat! Dump cake recipes make a simple tasty dessert! All you need are a few simple ingredients to make this delicious cherry dump cake! The recipe card below gives all the taste tips!
Using a boxed cake mix seriously makes for a simple dessert.
Once you add everything to the bottom of a baking dish, you’re well on your way to being almost done with this easy recipe!
What I love about this easy dessert recipe is that you only need a handful of ingredients and a little bit of time.
It’s the perfect recipe for anyone who wants to make a dessert, but not spend all day in the kitchen!
Everyone can find that in a day, right? You can make dessert recipes like this for a special occasion or save this delicious recipe for yourself.
It’s literally one of the easiest desserts – ever!
Table of Contents
Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Did you know you can bake with soda? Believe it or not, you can!
Cola is the start of fantastic desserts like Dr. Pepper cake, or use 7-Up to make your dessert taste like cherry limeade.
For something a little more elegant, try my Chocolate Cherry Tiramisu. It’s perfect for holidays or dinner parties and only takes 15 minutes to put together.
On the topic of cherry dump cakes, you’ll love my sweet and tender Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake!
Nobody really knows the exact origin of the cherry pie filling dump cake, but it probably gets its name from the fact that everything is basically dumped into a pan before baking.
How To Make Cherry Dump Cake
- Combine Ingredients. Grease a baking dish liberally with butter, then spread the cherry pie filling along the bottom with a spatula.
Sprinkle the box of cake mix over the top before drizzling with melted butter.
- Bake. Shake the pan a bit to evenly distribute the ingredients, then bake until set and golden brown on top.
- Serve. Add a scoop of the dump cake with cherry pie filling to a bowl with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or any other flavor of ice cream that sounds delicious!
Tips for Making Dump Cake With Cherry Pie Filling
- Adjust the amount of filling. I like my cherry dump cake bursting with cherries, so I use two full cans. You could easily use a smaller amount if you’d prefer.
- Use fresh fruit. Swap out the canned filling for pitted whole cherries. Blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries would also taste delicious.
Since raspberries are more delicate, I recommend using preserves for that flavor. - Want a different flavor? Try swapping out the yellow mix for chocolate or replace one of the cans of cherries with crushed pineapple instead.
Since it’s just cake mix and pie filling, another variety of fruit like apple or peach would work just as well.
- Add a topping for extra texture. Combine brown sugar and chopped almonds in a bowl, then sprinkle the mixture on before baking.
Shredded coconut with pecans is another tasty combination. - Tip for a hands-off approach: You can make this dump cake with cherry pie filling in a slow cooker as well!
Just follow the same process and cook it on High for 2 hours or on Low for 4 hours.
Dump Cake Cherry Recipe FAQ
Dump cake with cherry pie filling will be fine at room temperature for 3 to 4 days.
But go ahead and pop it in the fridge if you’ll be keeping it longer than that. Cover with foil or plastic so it doesn’t dry out, and use within 1 week.
Not at all! Just layer them as directed, or you may end up with raw bits of dough along the bottom of the pan.
Then, bake the cherry pie filling dump cake and devour! I told you this was an easy dump cake recipe!
This dump cake cherry dessert is done when all of the ingredients are hot and the cake is golden brown.
The cherry dump cake recipe doesn’t have any raw ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about eating raw eggs or anything. Once it reaches the desired texture, it’s ready.
That’s the thing about this quick dessert. You can use a box of vanilla cake mix or white cake mix, chocolate cake mix, spice cake mix, devil’s food cake mix, lemon cake mix, or any other box of dry cake mix that you want. A box of yellow cake mix works well, too!
Then you can add the can of pie filling or fruit filling of your cravings. A cherry pineapple dump cake sounds so good – and follows the same easy steps. Apple pie filling is also an easy peasy recipe for your first dump cake, and a great flavor for busy moms to feed the family.
One of the best things about making this homemade dessert is that you can change the flavor each time that you make it! This is what makes it one of my favorite desserts!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Dump Cake Recipes
Easy Cherry Dump Cake (3 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 2 21 ounce cans cherry pie filling (42 ounces total)
- 1 15.25 ounce box yellow cake mix
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for greasing the baking dish
Optional toppings:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Maraschino cherries
Instructions
- PREP OVEN AND PAN: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or nonstick spray.
- ADD FILLING: Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the prepared baking dish. Use a rubber spatula to spread the filling evenly into the corners.
- ADD CAKE MIX: Sprinkle the entire box of cake mix evenly over the cherry filling. Gently shake the pan to level the dry mix. Do not stir.
- ADD BUTTER: Drizzle 10 tablespoons melted unsalted butter evenly over the cake mix. Try to cover as much of the dry mix as possible. Lightly shake the pan again to help distribute the butter.
- BAKE: Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges. Start checking at 40 minutes.
- COOL: Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- SERVE: Scoop into bowls and top with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or maraschino cherries if desired. Serve warm.
Video
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published February 2019, updated and republished February 2025
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We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
I add the crushed pineapple but I also add coconut and it’s wonderful !!! Try it !!!
I haven't ever tried coconut… Sounds good! I've added pineapple and pecans… wonderful!
Is this just dry cake mix, no liquid or eggs?
The melted butter is your liquid on top comes out great but be sure to cover the cake mix so as not to have dry spots
I mix the melted butter into the cake mix and make a "crumble" out of it. Eliminates any dry spots.
I wish I’d read that sooner.
If you take the time to read the directions, some have to read and re read like 20 X’s but if that’s what tricks your trigger then please, by all means do it!
This was so easy! And also very tasty!
I really like to eat Cherry Dump Cake.it's look so yummy & delicious.today i learn about how to make perfect cherry dump cake.
thanks for sharing
I have a question, Can I use an 8X8 pan instead?
I did. Just half the ingred.
Pats of butter on top work well too 🙂
Very Yummy…
This is great with a chocolate cake mix.
I am a diabetic so I used two 20 oz cans of cherry filling, no sugar added, and a box of KETO yellow cake mix (almond flour). It turned out very good and I didn’t have to feel guilty afterwards!
That’s fantastic, Jorge!
TSRI Team member,
Becca
I have frozen pitted cherries can I use them if I make pie filling out of them?
I also have frozen pitted cherries don’t k now what to do with them how would I make thi see dump cake with these cherries!
This is heavenly! A little ice cream with it and I could not resist seconds!
I make this about once every two weeks. It’s really good and goes fast.
In the oven right now! 😋 too late reading about dry spots. I tried really hard to cover. If it doesn’t come outright…will eat it and try again. LOL
I’m definitely trying this
Easy peasy! Made this cherry dump cake for a family gathering and it was a HIT! Thanks Donna and Chad!
Hi Annabelle!
We’re so glad that you enjoyed!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
So easy and delicious! I added a sprinkle of cinnamon to the cake mix for extra flavor. Thanks, Donna!
Hi Zoey!
Glad you enjoyed!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
Can this be frozen?
Hi Susan!
It sure can! Once cooled, wrap the cake in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving. Hope this helps.
TSRI Team Member,
Holli