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This Cherry Dump Cake is one of the easiest dessert recipes you can make with just a few simple ingredients. The sweet cherry filling, buttery cake topping, and crisp golden edges make this easy dessert perfect for potlucks, holidays, parties, and family gatherings.
“This cherry dump cake is so easy to make! It’s perfect for potlucks or when you need a last minute dessert.”
-Becky
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Dump Cake
This easy dessert is one of my favorite recipes for parties and holiday dinners because everyone always goes back for seconds. The buttery cake topping pairs perfectly with the warm cherry filling for a simple dessert that tastes homemade with very little effort.
If you need an easy crowd favorite dessert with minimal prep, this cherry dump cake recipe comes together in minutes and tastes amazing served warm with vanilla ice cream.
If you love easy dessert recipes, you may also enjoy this no bake Grasshopper Pie, easy Chocolate Poke Cake, 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars, this rich Chocolate Lava Cake, or this old fashioned Butter Cake.
Ingredients You Will Need
- cherry filling– cherry pie filling is perfect for the base of this cake!
- yellow dry cake mix– you can also use vanilla, or any flavor really, but yellow cake mix makes a delicious crust.
- almond extract-almond extract is going to add a little extra flavor to the cherries. It’s optional, but I highly recommend it to enhance the taste!
- Optional: Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for serving
A full list of ingredients is included in the recipe card below.
Variations
- Use different pie fillings – Blueberry, strawberry, peach, or apple pie filling all work great if you want to switch things up.
- Add crushed pineapple – For a cherry pineapple twist, layer 1–2 cups of crushed pineapple over the cherries.
- Swap the cake mix – Try white, red velvet, or chocolate cake mix instead of yellow for a new flavor.
- Add some crunch – Sprinkle chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds on top before baking.
- Mix in texture – Coconut flakes or mini chocolate chips add a fun twist and extra flavor.
- Go gluten-free – Just use your favorite gluten-free cake mix and follow the same steps.
How to Make a Cherry Dump Cake
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. While oven is preheating, lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Pour the cherry pie filling into the dish, and then stir in the teaspoon of almond extract. Once almond extract is mixed in, evenly spread the cherry pie filling across the bottom of the baking dish.
- Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the top of the cherries. Spread it across the top of all of the cherries, until they are completely covered.
- In a microwave safe dish, melt the butter. Then drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix. Try to cover as much as possible because this is what makes the crisp, buttery crust.
- Place the dish in the oven on the center rack, and bake for 50-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. Once the cake has cooled, cut into individual portions and serve. Feel free to top with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Expert Tips
- Don’t stir the layers – The “dump” method is the best part of this dessert. Just layer and bake.
- Want extra crisp on top? Add a sprinkle of sugar or crushed nuts over the top before baking.
- Let it rest before serving – This helps the filling set and the topping firm up slightly.
Having a party? You can also try fun party friendly snacks like these savory Pizza Cupcakes or sweet and refreshing Virgin Piña Colada and festive American Flag Fruit Cookie Pizza. Whether you’re hosting or heading to a get together, these simple recipes are always a hit.
Cherry Dump Cake FAQs
Nope! You can slice cold butter thinly and lay it evenly over the cake mix. It melts beautifully in the oven and creates that signature golden crust.
Yes, white, chocolate, or even spice cake mix can work. Each gives a unique flavor, so use what you have on hand or want to experiment with.
Cover with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Eat it cold, or reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.
Yes! Just swap the cake mix for your favorite gluten free yellow or white cake mix and follow the same steps.
More Easy Desserts
If you have tried this recipe or any others from Celebrating Simply, I’d love it if you would leave a ⭐ star rating and share your thoughts in the ✍️ comments below. Your feedback means a lot!
Cherry Dump Cake
Equipment
- 1 9×13 Casserole Dish
Ingredients
- 2 cans cherry pie filling, 21 ounces each
- 1 box yellow cake mix, 15.25 ounces
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- While oven is preheating, lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the cherry pie filling into the dish, and then stir in the teaspoon of almond extract.
- Once almond extract is mixed in, evenly spread the cherry pie filling across the bottom of the baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the top of the cherries. Use a spoon to spread it across the top of all of the cherries, until they are completely covered.
- In a microwave safe dish, melt the butter. Then drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix. Try to cover as much as possible because this is what makes a crisp, buttery crust on the dump cake.
- Place the dish in the oven on the center rack, and bake for 50-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
- Once the cake has cooled, cut into individual portions and serve. Feel free to top with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love me some Cherry dump cake. Great recipe (and I do recommend it being warm and with some ice cream) 👍👍👍