Best Cherry Dump Cake

Introduction

Best Cherry Dump Cake is the ultimate easy dessert—sweet, buttery, and irresistibly comforting with almost no prep. Layers of juicy cherry pie filling and cake mix bake into a golden, cobbler-like treat with crisp edges and a soft, gooey center. No mixing bowls, no fuss—just “dump,” bake, and enjoy. Perfect for potlucks, last-minute guests, or weeknight cravings, this classic delivers big payoff for minimal effort.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Only 3 main ingredients
• No mixing or special skills required
• Ready in under an hour
• Crowd-pleasing comfort dessert
• Perfect with ice cream

Ingredients (serves 8–10)

• 2 (21 oz) cans cherry pie filling
• 1 box yellow cake mix

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted

Optional Add-Ins

• ½ tsp almond extract
• ¼ tsp cinnamon

• Sliced almonds or chopped pecans

Essential Tools and Equipment

• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Spoon or spatula
• Measuring cup

Step-by-step process (detailed)

1. Preheat the oven

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.

2. Add the cherry filling

Spread both cans of cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the baking dish. Use the back of a spoon to level it into a smooth layer.

3. Add optional flavor

If using almond extract or cinnamon, sprinkle it evenly over the cherry filling. Almond pairs especially well with cherries.

4. Sprinkle the cake mix

Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the cherries. Do not mix. Make sure the entire surface is covered for even baking.

5. Add the butter

Slowly drizzle melted butter evenly over the cake mix, covering as much of the surface as possible. Any dry patches will bake lighter and crunchier.

6. Add toppings (optional)

Sprinkle nuts over the top if desired for added crunch and texture.

7. Bake

Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.

8. Cool slightly

Let the dump cake cool 10–15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken slightly and makes serving easier.

9. Serve

Serve warm on its own or with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Mistakes to avoid

• Mixing the layers ruins the texture
• Uneven butter coverage — dry cake spots
• Overbaking — hard top
• Skipping rest time — runny filling

• Using low-fat butter substitutes — poor browning

Variations of Best Cherry Dump Cake

• Chocolate Cherry — use chocolate cake mix
• Cherry Pineapple — add a can of crushed pineapple (drained)
• Cherry Almond — add sliced almonds and almond extract
• Gluten-Free — use gluten-free cake mix

• Extra Crisp — add ½ cup oats on top

Tips for storage & make-ahead

• Store covered at room temperature up to 1 day
• Refrigerate up to 4 days
• Reheat in oven or microwave
• Best served warm

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called dump cake?
You simply dump the ingredients into the pan—no mixing required.

Can I use fresh cherries?
Yes, but cook them with sugar and cornstarch first.

Can I reduce the butter?
Butter is essential for texture; reducing it may cause dry spots.

What cake mix works best?
Yellow or white cake mix is classic.

Conclusion

Best Cherry Dump Cake proves that incredible desserts don’t need to be complicated. With juicy cherries, buttery cake topping, and minimal effort, this dessert is pure comfort baked into one pan. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or craving something sweet fast, this dump cake always delivers.