No mixing bowl? No problem! With this cherry dump cake recipe, you'll still have dessert on the table in no time.
ⓘ
Cherry cobbler is an all-time favorite dessert. Nothing compares to juicy cherries paired with a tender cake topping. But even though it’s fairly simple to put together a cobbler, we love to take a shortcut to make dessert even faster. Hello, cherry dump cake!
This quick cake resembles a cherry cobbler, with a fruity base and a golden, buttery cake topping. It’s made with just five ingredients, but even better, there’s no mixing bowl required. The cherries, cake mix and melted butter are all dumped straight into a baking dish. You’ll have fewer dishes to do and more time to enjoy dessert, which makes this recipe perfect for summer.
The Best Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Molly Allen For Taste of Home
This easy cherry dump cake recipe uses cherry pie filling and one box of white cake mix as the base. Salted butter is added to create the topping while enhancing the flavor. The almond extract is optional, but the simple ingredient takes the flavor of this simple cake to the next level.
Measuring spoons: Just because it’s a dump cake doesn’t mean you can eyeball the ingredients! Use a measuring spoon for the almond extract to ensure that you don’t go overboard with the ingredient.
8-in. square dish: Easy serving and easy cleanup is the best part of a dump cake. Bake your ingredients in an 8-in. square dish for optimal baking.
Cooling rack: You’ll want to serve this dump cake warm, not piping hot. Leave the cake to rest on a cooling rack for 10 to 15 minutes after baking.
Directions
Step 1: Add the cherry filling
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Pour the cherry pie filling into the dish and spread evenly with a spatula.
Step 2: Top with cake mix
Add the bag of white cake mix on top of the filling and gently even it out with your hands.
Step 3: Pour the butter and bake the cake
TMB Studio
Combine the melted butter and almond extract. Pour the butter evenly over the cake mix. Put the baking dish in the oven and bake for 55 minutes. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven to cool slightly. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Cherry Dump Cake Recipe Variations
TMB Studio
The best thing about making a dump cake is that there’s no mixing bowl required. It’s as easy as dumping ingredients straight into the baking dish and putting it in the oven. What makes dump cake recipe ideas even better is the option to customize the flavor. While this cake was made with cherry pie filling and a white cake mix, it is possible to mix and match with other fillings and toppings.
Add fruit: Mix in crushed pineapple along with the cherries for a super summery burst of flavor.
Spruce it up with mix-ins: Consider sprinkling brown sugar, mini chocolate chips or crushed nuts on top for even more added texture and flavor. The possibilities are endless!
Can I Make Cherry Dump Cake in a Slow Cooker?
Yes! If you tried our pineapple upside-down dump cake and loved it, you can convert this recipe into a slow-cooker recipe too. Melt the butter and mix in the almond extract. Pour 1/2 cup butter into the bottom of a 5-qt. slow cooker. Top with cherry pie filling and cake mix, then drizzle the rest of the butter mixture over the cake mix. Cook, covered, for two hours on high.
Recipes Made with Cherry Pie Filling
1 / 28
Cherry Bars
Whip up a pan of these festive bars in just 20 minutes with staple ingredients and cherry pie filling. Between the easy preparation and pretty color, they're destined to become a holiday classic. —Jane Kamp, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Get Recipe
Black Forest TartCherry pie filling and a melted chocolate drizzle top a rich, fudgy cake made from chocolate cookie crumbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chocolate Cherry CrepesOne of the reasons that we love this impressive-looking recipe is that it's easy to make. We prepare the crepes and filling in advance, and assemble them and add the topping just before serving. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Cherry Cheese CupcakesThese pretty cream cheese cups that look like cupcakes are always my home-baked contribution to our church's Christmas party. The holidays inspired the cheery garnish of cherries, and I often add mint leaves for even more seasonal color. —Leanne Beagley, Rochester, New York
Homemade Cherry CrispOur family loves this pretty, tasty dessert. It uses convenient pie filling, so you can make it in no time—and it takes mere minutes to heat in the microwave. —Laurie Todd, Columbus, Mississippi
Chocolate Cherry Layer CakeThis luscious cake is really versatile for all-year fun. I've changed the design on top to a heart for Valentine's, a pumpkin for autumn and a tree for Christmas. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
Glazed Cherry Coffee CakeWith its pretty layer of cherries and crunchy streusel topping, this coffee cake is great for breakfast. Or you can even serve it for dessert. —Gail Buss, Beverly Hills, Florida
Cherry DanishThese ruby-studded pastries will be the first to disappear from your brunch table. I won an award when I first made them for a 4-H competition years ago. You can use apple pie filling with equally good results. —Christie Cochran, Canyon, Texas
Cherry Upside-Down Bread PuddingI've always loved bread pudding, and I enjoy fixing this for my family on a chilly day. You could use a different flavor of pie filling and omit the chocolate chips to make a completely different dessert. It's always delicious! —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland
Ricotta CheesecakeWhen I was a nurse, my co-workers and I regularly swapped recipes during lunch breaks. This creamy cheesecake was one of the best I received. —Georgiann Franklin, Canfield, Ohio
Cherry-Peach DumplingsYou can make this fruity dessert on your stovetop, but to really impress your guests, simmer it in an electric skillet right at the dinner table. There’s no more convenient way to enjoy the fruits of the season. —Patricia Frerk, Syracuse, New York
Black Forest Chocolate TorteIf you're thinking about pulling out all the stops for a dessert that says wow, look no further. This cherry-crowned beauty—stacked layers of chocolate cake and cream filling—will have everyone talking. —Doris Grotz, York, Nebraska
Cookie Swirl CobblerAn extra-rich chocolate chip cookie dough and crescent roll topping provide a tasty twist on a classic cherry cobbler. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Jeanne Holt, St. Paul, Minnesota
Bohemian KolachesThis kolache recipe was given to me by my mother-in-law, who received it from her mother! It was a standard treat in their family, made nearly every week. Now I make these kolaches for my own family for special occasions. —Maxine Hron, Quincy, Illinois
Chocolate-Covered-Cherry Dump CakeMy mother-in-law loves chocolate-covered cherries, and I used to make this chocolate cherry dump cake every year for her birthday. Now we've moved away, but I make this for my kids on her birthday and they still feel near her. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas. If you don't like chocolate, then try this cherry dump cake recipe.
Cherry Dream CakeI serve this cherry cake for holidays because it's so festive and easy. No one will know your secret is adding a package of cherry gelatin to a boxed cake mix! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Cherry Cream Cheese DessertPretty layers of graham cracker crumbs, tasty filling and fruit topping make these cherry cream cheese desserts a standout! For a nice change, you can substitute blueberry pie filling or another fruit flavor for the filling called for in the recipe. —Melody Mellinger, Myerstown, Pennsylvania
Minister's DelightA friend gave me this recipe several years ago. She said a local minister's wife fixed it every Sunday, so she named it accordingly —Mary Ann Potter, Blue Springs, Missouri
Banana Split FluffThis pretty pink mixture, rich with yummy fruit and nuts, is sure to disappear in a hurry. It’s a sweet and speedy treat that can be served as a dessert or salad. —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama
Cherry Gelatin SupremeWhen I was growing up, this yummy, easy dessert was always on the menu at holiday get-togethers. Years ago, my aunt gave me the recipe, and now when I make it for my family, I think of her. —Janice Rathgeb, Brighton, Illinois
Cherry Rhubarb JamThis tangy sweet spread is "jam-packed" with lots of cherry flavor, plus a hint of rhubarb. My mother gives jars of it to friends during rhubarb season—it's so delicious on toast and muffins. —Faye Sampson, Radcliffe, Iowa
Overnight Cherry DanishThese rolls with their cherry-filled centers melt in your mouth and store well unfrosted in the freezer. —Leann Sauder, Tremont, Illinois
Cherry ChewbileesThis is a good dish to carry to potlucks and parties. It's a hit at home, too - my husband rates it as one of his favorite desserts. —Debbi Smith, Crossett, Arkansas
Cranberry-Cherry Nut PieThis delightful, stress-free pie combines cranberries with convenient cherry pie filling for a fresh, fun flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Black Forest Sandwich CookiesSpeed up prep time for these sandwich cookies by using chocolate wafers from the cookie aisle. You can even make them ahead of time if you need a few extra minutes to decorate for a party. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Cherry Rhubarb CrunchMy husband's grandmother gave me this recipe, along with a bundle of rhubarb, when we were first married. I had never cared for rhubarb, but after trying this dessert, I changed my mind. Now my children dig in, too! —Sharon Wasikowski, Middleville, Michigan
Molly Allen is a previous bakery owner and former event planner. Now, a freelance writer and editor focused on food and beverage, lifestyle, travel and parties, she brings her years of experience and industry knowledge to readers across a variety of platforms.
We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices.
Updated: Jul. 05, 2023
