Cherry dump cake makes a delightful treat. It mixes cherry pie filling’s sweetness with a cake topping’s richness for the perfect dessert at any time. The best part? It takes little time uses few ingredients next to stays simple to prepare. If you want a simple yet rich dessert to please your sweet tooth, this recipe will surely win hearts.
Ingredients for the Original Cherry Dump Cake
This cherry dump cake recipe is incredibly simple, requiring only a few common ingredients. You can easily customize it to suit your tastes by adding different fruits, extracts, or toppings. Here’s what you’ll need for the original version:
Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
Cherry Pie Filling | 2 (21-ounce) cans | Choose a brand that you love, preferably with extra cherries for a more indulgent treat. |
Yellow Cake Mix | 1 box (approx. 15 ounces) | You can also use French Vanilla cake mix. |
Salted Butter | ½ cup (1 stick), melted | Melt the butter to pour over the cake mix. |
Almond Extract | 1 teaspoon (optional) | Almond extract pairs wonderfully with cherries, but this step is optional. |
Pecans or Sliced Almonds | ½ cup (optional) | For added crunch and texture. |
Optional Variations
- Pie filling alternatives: While cherry pie filling is the traditional choice, feel free to experiment with other pie fillings, such as peach, strawberry, blueberry, or apple.
- Butter alternative: If you’d prefer to cut back on butter, you can use a light butter or margarine, but the richness of real butter gives the best results.
- Crunchy toppings: In addition to the cake mix and butter, you can sprinkle chopped nuts (such as pecans or almonds) on top for a crunchy texture.
- Fruit combination: Add pineapple for a tart kick or a mix of berries for extra flavor.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Making Cherry Dump Cake
The charm of this recipe is in its simplicity. With just a few ingredients, you can make a crowd-pleasing dessert in no time. Follow these easy steps to create your original cherry dump cake:
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). This makes the cake bake evenly.
Prepare the baking dish: Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. This keeps the cake from sticking.
Mix almond extract with pie filling (optional): In a bowl, stir ½ teaspoon of almond extract into each can of cherry pie filling. This adds flavor and fits well with the cherries.
Assembling the Cake:
- Spread the cherry pie filling: Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the cake mix: Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the cherry pie filling. Don’t stir it—just let the cake mix sit on top.
- Add melted butter: Slowly pour the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix. The butter will soak into the cake mix and help form a golden, crispy topping.
Baking:
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling.
- Serve warm: Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving. It’s best enjoyed warm, especially when paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Nutrition Facts for Cherry Dump Cake
While cherry dump cake is undoubtedly a sweet treat, it’s important to be mindful of its nutritional value, especially if you’re watching your calorie intake. Here’s an estimated breakdown of the nutrition per serving:
Nutritional Information | Per Serving (1/12 of the cake) |
Calories | 333 kcal |
Total Fat | 11g |
Saturated Fat | 7g |
Carbohydrates | 57g |
Fiber | 2g |
Sugar | 31g |
Protein | 2g |
Sodium | 94mg |
Note: The nutritional values are based on the original recipe and may vary depending on the brand of ingredients used or portion size.
Reviews and Praise for the Cherry Dump Cake
The cherry dump cake recipe has received rave reviews from those who have tried it. Here’s what some people are saying:
- “So easy and delicious!” – Sarah K.
“I’ve made this recipe twice now, and both times it turned out amazing! The cherry pie filling gives it just the right amount of sweetness, and the cake mix topping is so buttery and delicious!”
- “Perfect for holidays!” – Lisa M.
“I made this for our Christmas dinner, and it was a huge hit. The bright red cherry filling looked beautiful on the table, and everyone loved it with ice cream.” - “A great base for other flavors!” – Tom R.
“I swapped the cherry pie filling for blueberry, and it was just as good! I love how versatile this recipe is. It’s a keeper!”
FAQ
Can you make Cherry Dump Cake in a slow cooker?
Yes! Cherry dump cake can also be made in a slow cooker. To do so:
- Cook on low for about 4 hours or on high for about 2 hours.
- The slow cooker method results in a slightly different texture, with a softer topping, but it’s just as delicious!
Can I use any pie filling flavor?
Absolutely! While cherry is the classic choice, you can swap out the pie filling for any flavor you love, such as:
- Peach
- Strawberry
- Blueberry
- Apple
What if I don’t want it to be too sweet?
If you’re concerned about the sweetness, consider adding pineapple to the mix. It provides a tart contrast that balances out the sweetness. Alternatively, you can reduce the sugar content by using a sugar-free cake mix or pie filling.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this cherry dump cake ahead of time! Simply prepare the recipe as directed, cover it, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, reheat it in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
Tips and Praise for Cherry Dump Cake
- The crunch: Shake some chopped nuts (pecans or sliced almonds) on the cake mix before baking, if you want something crunchy on your top layer. That is so nice texture contrast to the soft and gooey filling. Top with a scoop of ice cream: Cherry dump cake is best served hot and enjoy it with cones of vanilla ice cream The warm cake and ooey, gooey ice cream contrast beautifully with the cold ice Make it a “Black Forest” dump cake: For fun… make with chocolate cake mix and cherry pie filling For this one, you get the typical “Black Forest” flavor mix.
Conclusion
Cherry dump cake recipe is an original,so easy for everyone, even simple dessert which you can make it with only a few ingredients. Whether you plan to whip this up as an easy weeknight dessert or dinner party entry that everyone raves about, it delivers. The perfect food to warm your heart, rich and buttery on top caramel sweet bottom with fruity filling inside
One more thing that makes this recipe amazing versatile: You can swap cherry pie filling for other fruit pie filling or add different extract, even nuts on top.
Even better, and you can make this ahead of time or even do it in the slow cooker!