If you’re craving an irresistibly rich and fruity dessert that comes together in no time, this Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe is your new best friend. It’s the perfect marriage of luscious cherry pie filling and deep, chocolatey cake mix, baked to bubbly perfection with buttery goodness melting through every bite. What makes this recipe a true winner is how effortlessly you “dump” the ingredients together and transform them into a dessert that tastes like it took hours of work – without the fuss. Whether you’re making it for a casual family dinner or a last-minute treat, this Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe never fails to impress and satisfy those sweet cravings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is a breeze and absolutely crucial to getting the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and chocolatey in your dump cake. Each component plays a special role, from the moist richness of the cake mix to the bright burst of cherry pie filling, and the butter that brings it all together with luscious texture and that golden finish.
- Chocolate fudge cake mix: This is the chocolatey backbone, providing a fudgy, rich cake layer that perfectly complements the cherries.
- Cherry pie filling (2 cans, 21 ounces each): The juicy, sweet-tart cherries create vibrant color and a luscious fruitiness that adds freshness to the dessert.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup/1 stick), sliced into thin pats: Butter melts throughout the cake mix, ensuring a moist crumb and that irresistible golden crust.
- Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon, optional): A hint of almond adds a lovely aromatic depth that highlights the cherry flavor beautifully.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance every flavor note.
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional): The perfect accompaniment that melts into warm cake, elevating each spoonful into pure bliss.
How to Make Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dish
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This ensures your dump cake won’t stick and will come out beautifully browned on the edges. A well-prepared baking dish is the foundation of any great dessert!
Step 2: Layer the Cherry Pie Filling
Spread both cans of cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the dish. This juicy layer creates the flavorful base of your cake and keeps it wonderfully moist. If you’re using almond extract, drizzle it over the cherries now to infuse its nutty aroma right into the filling.
Step 3: Sprinkle the Cake Mix
Next, sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix evenly on top of the cherry filling. This step is crucial — don’t stir the layers! Keeping the cake mix on top allows it to bake up with a soft, cakey texture that perfectly crowns the fruity layer beneath.
Step 4: Add the Butter
Top the cake mix with thin pats of unsalted butter, spacing them to cover as much surface as possible. As the butter melts in the oven, it soaks into the cake mix, creating that signature moist and buttery crumb with golden brown highlights.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake your dump cake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is bubbly and the cake mix is cooked through — look for golden edges and bubbling cherry filling peeking through. Once out of the oven, let it cool slightly. This resting time helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Garnishes
To really make this dessert pop, serve it warm with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fluffy whipped cream. These classic toppings add a cool contrast to the warm, rich cake and enhance its comforting flavors with a silky finish. For a special touch, sprinkle a few toasted almonds on top for added crunch and nutty flair.
Side Dishes
This dump cake shines on its own but pairs beautifully with simple accompaniments like a fresh green salad or a cup of coffee to balance the richness. For an extra indulgent treat, pair it with a small glass of dessert wine or a rich hot chocolate for a cozy, decadent dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to wow guests? Serve individual portions in pretty glass jars layered with extra cherries or whipped cream for a charming presentation. You can also cut squares and top with chocolate shavings or drizzle with warm caramel sauce for an elevated twist that still honors the classic Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe you love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Chocolate cherry dump cake keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Its rich flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Before storing, make sure the cake has completely cooled to preserve moisture and texture.
Freezing
You can freeze the dump cake wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then warm it in the oven to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven magic. Freezing is a fantastic way to have this delightful dessert ready whenever cravings strike.
Reheating
To reheat, place individual servings in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds or warm the whole dish in a preheated 350°F oven covered with foil for about 15 minutes. Adding a scoop of ice cream after reheating makes it taste like it was just baked for you.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pie filling in this Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe?
Absolutely! While cherry pie filling is classic, feel free to experiment with blueberry, raspberry, or mixed berry fillings. Each will bring its own unique twist, but the combination with chocolate works wonderfully with most berries.
Is there a way to make this dessert gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the chocolate cake mix for a gluten-free chocolate cake mix to accommodate gluten sensitivities. Just double-check the pie filling is gluten-free as well, and you’ll have a delicious alternative everyone can enjoy.
What can I do if I don’t have almond extract?
If you don’t have almond extract on hand, don’t worry! It’s optional and the cake will still taste amazing without it. For a flavor twist, you could try a splash of vanilla extract or just skip it altogether.
Can I add chocolate chips for extra richness?
Definitely! Adding about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips on top before baking is a popular upgrade that intensifies the chocolate flavor and gives you delightful melty pockets throughout the cake.
How do I know when the Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe is done baking?
You want to look for bubbling around the edges and a golden brown crust on top. The cake mix should be cooked through — a toothpick inserted into the cake layer coming out mostly clean is a good indicator.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about this Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe that makes it feel like a homemade treasure no matter how simple it is to prepare. Its wonderful marriage of chocolate and cherries creates a comforting dessert that’s quick, easy, and endlessly satisfying. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try soon and discover just how effortlessly delicious a dump cake can be!
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Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake is a quick and easy dessert made by simply layering cherry pie filling, chocolate cake mix, and butter, then baking until bubbly and golden. Served warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, it’s a perfect treat for chocolate and fruit lovers alike.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) chocolate fudge cake mix
- 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), sliced into thin pats
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer Cherry Filling: Spread the cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Drizzle the almond extract over the filling if you choose to use it for a subtle almond flavor.
- Add Cake Mix: Sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix evenly over the cherry filling. Be careful not to stir; the layers should remain distinct.
- Top with Butter: Arrange thin pats of unsalted butter evenly over the surface of the cake mix, covering as much area as possible to ensure moisture and richness.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is bubbly and the cake is cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the dump cake to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgence.
Notes
- For a richer chocolate flavor, sprinkle 1/2 cup of chocolate chips on top before baking.
- You can substitute cherry pie filling with any berry pie filling of your choice for variety.
- Optional almond extract enhances the fruit flavor but can be omitted if unavailable or undesired.
