Cherry Dump Cake

This Cherry Dump Cake is an easy dessert made with cherry pie filling, yellow cake mix, butter, and a hint of almond extract. A simple dump cake recipe that requires minimal prep, it bakes into a golden, buttery topping over a rich cherry filling for a classic homemade dessert.

Ingredients

• 2 (21 oz) cans cherry pie filling
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• ½ cup salted butter (1 stick), melted
• 1 tsp almond extract (divided, optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Stir the almond extract evenly into the cherry pie filling, dividing it between both cans if using.
3. Pour the cherry pie filling into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
4. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the cherry layer. Do not mix.
5. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the entire surface, covering as much of the cake mix as possible.
   • Alternatively, slice cold butter into thin pieces and distribute them across the top.
6. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
7. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Minimal ingredients and very easy preparation
• Perfect for last-minute desserts
• Sweet cherry filling with a buttery cake topping
• Great for gatherings, potlucks, and family desserts

Tips

• Try to cover most of the cake mix with butter to avoid dry spots
• Let it cool for at least 10–15 minutes before serving for better texture
• Use a glass baking dish to monitor browning on the bottom
• Add almond extract for a deeper cherry flavor

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap cherry pie filling for blueberry, peach, or apple
• Use spice cake mix or white cake mix instead of yellow
• Add chopped nuts like almonds or pecans for crunch
• Replace butter with thinly sliced cold butter for more even coverage
• Mix in a handful of chocolate chips for extra richness

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, bake it in advance and reheat before serving for best texture.

Do I need to mix the layers?
No, the “dump” method works by layering ingredients without stirring.

Can I use fresh cherries?
Yes, but you’ll need to cook them with sugar and thickener first.

Serving

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a classic dessert pairing.

Suggestions

• Add a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce on top
• Serve in small bowls for parties or buffet-style desserts
• Pair with coffee or tea for a simple sweet treat
• Sprinkle powdered sugar before serving for presentation

Cherry Dump Cake

Recipe by 50Krecipes

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

Adjust servings

+

–

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Ingredients

• 2 2 cans cherry pie filling

• 1 1 box yellow cake mix

• ½ cup salted butter (1 stick), melted

• 1 tsp 1 almond extract (divided, optional)

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
• Stir the almond extract evenly into the cherry pie filling, dividing it between both cans if using.
• Pour the cherry pie filling into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
• Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the cherry layer. Do not mix.
• Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the entire surface, covering as much of the cake mix as possible.
• Alternatively, slice cold butter into thin pieces and distribute them across the top.
• Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
• Allow to cool slightly before serving.