Cherry Dump Cake
Looking for a dessert that’s ridiculously easy but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen? Let me introduce you to this yummy and oh-so-very-easy Cherry Dump Cake – this is your answer!
I make it with just a handful of ingredients – cherry pie filling, yellow cake mix, butter, and a touch of brown sugar and carob syrup – just like that, a warm, bubbly dessert comes together in minutes. It’s called a “dump cake” because you literally just dump everything into a pan and bake. No mixing bowls, no fancy techniques, just pure deliciousness – yes, please.
This specific cherry dump cake recipe is perfect for any occasion – I’ve had people rave about this cake at potlucks, summer barbecues, plus it’s often my go-to those nights when I need dessert fast. The sweet-tart cherries paired with the golden, buttery cake topping is absolutely irresistible. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and watch it disappear!
Ingredients
- 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling (or 4 cups homemade if you’re fancy)
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow or white cake mix
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons carob fruit syrup or agave syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Optional toppings: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
How to do it
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Turn your oven to 350°F. That’s 175°C if your oven does Celsius.
Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish
Grease up a 9×13-inch pan. I just use butter or cooking spray, whatever’s easier.
Step 3: Add Cherry Filling
Dump the cherry pie filling in the pan. Spread it around so it’s even on the bottom. If you’re using fresh cherries instead of the canned stuff, mix them with some sugar first before you put them in.
Step 4: Add Cake Mix
Now sprinkle all that dry cake mix on top of the cherries. Don’t mix it! Just leave it sitting there. I know it looks weird but that’s the whole point of dump cake.
Step 5: Drizzle Butter
Pour your melted butter all over the cake mix. The carob syrup goes on top too. Try to get it everywhere so the whole thing bakes evenly. Some spots might not get covered and that’s okay!
Step 6: Bake
Stick it in the oven for 45-55 minutes. You want it golden brown and bubbly. The edges get a little crispy which is actually the best part if you ask me!
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Let it cool down for a couple minutes. Serve it while it’s still warm! Whipped cream on top is really good. Ice cream works too if you want to go that route.
Cherry Dump Cake
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
- ½ cup brown sugar
- tbs carob fruit syrup or agave syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- Optional toppings: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- 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.
- Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the cherry filling. Do not stir; let it sit on top.
- Pour the melted butter evenly and carob syrup over the top of the cake mix. Make sure to cover as much of the cake mix as possible for even baking.
- 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!
- Let the dump cake cool for a few minutes. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.
- Enjoy your Cherry Dump Cake! It’s a simple yet satisfying dessert that is sure to please everyone.
