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Close-up of a scoop of Cherry Dump Cake served with vanilla ice cream on a white plate.

Cherry Dump Cake

Cherry Dump Cake is an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert made with cherry pie filling, yellow cake mix, and butter. Simply layer the ingredients in a baking dish, no mixing required, and bake until golden and bubbly. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream for the ultimate treat!
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can 21 ounces cherry pie filling (or 4 cups of homemade cherry pie filling)
  • 1 box 15.25 ounces yellow or white cake mix
  • ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
  • 20 oz. crushed pineapples undrained optional
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped optional
  • 1 cup coconut optional

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  3. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. If you’re using fresh cherries, mix them with a bit of sugar before adding them.
  4. Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the cherry filling. Do not stir; let it sit on top.
  5. Pour the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix. Make sure to cover as much of the cake mix as possible for even baking.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and bubbly. The edges may be slightly crisp, which is perfect!
  7. Let the dump cake cool for a few minutes. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.
  8. Enjoy your Cherry Dump Cake!

Notes

Add-In's
  • Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg over the cherries before adding the cake mix for a warm, spiced twist.
  • Crushed Pineapple (20oz, undrained): Spread the crushed pineapple evenly in the bottom of your baking dish as the first layer. Then, add the cherry pie filling on top. This creates a juicy base with a fruity twist.
  • Shredded Coconut (1 cup): Sprinkle the coconut over the cake mix before drizzling the butter. It adds a sweet, chewy texture to the topping.
  • Chopped Pecans (1 cup): Scatter the pecans over the cake mix along with the coconut (if using) for a delightful nutty crunch.
  • Brown Sugar (1/2 cup): Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the dry cake mix before the melted butter. It melts during baking, giving the topping a subtle caramel-like sweetness.
  • Mix a handful of white chocolate chips into the cake mix for creamy bursts of sweetness.
Customize your Cherry Dump Cake however you like—this recipe is as versatile as you want it to be!