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Cherry Dump Cake (+Video)

This easy Cherry Dump Cake dessert is made with cake mix, cherry pie filling, butter and a secret ingredient. “Dump” and bake!

CAKE MIX, PIE FILLING AND BUTTER

When it comes to fruit desserts, one of my easy favorites is the humble dump cake. It really has a terrible name but the idea behind it is you “dump” everything in and bake it. The bonus of this cherry dump cake dessert is you can any pie filling flavor you love! I’ve tried nearly all of them and they all work great.

Easy Cherry Dump Cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a white bowl

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)

Can dump cake be made in a slow cooker?

Yes! This can be done in the crock pot as well. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.

Can I use any flavor pie filling?

I happen to really love cherry. It not only has a perfect sweet/tart combination but it just looks pretty! I love the bright red color and is nice to make around the holidays. But you can absolutely switch the cherry out for any flavor: peach, strawberry, blueberry, apple and on and on. Whatever you love!

What if I don’t want it to be so sweet?

Some folks add more tartness to this by adding pineapple. You could certainly do that but I find that I like it best as straight-up cherry with a little almond extract added. That’s my little twist in this recipe. Almond flavor and cherries go together perfectly.

Could I add anything to give it a little crunch?

For added crunch, try sprinkling some sliced almonds or chopped pecans on top or under the cake mix before baking.

Could I use other cake mix flavors?

Absolutely! You could use a chocolate cake mix along with the cherries for a “Black Forrest” style dump. cake. You could do vanilla and blueberry pie filling together to make a Blueberry Dump Cake. Or try my Apple Dump Cake or Pumpkin Dump Cake versions! version! So many combinations with this recipe!

Easy Cherry Dump Cake recipe from The Country Cook, serving of cherry dump cake shown in a white bowl

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

  • yellow cake mix – you can also use French Vanilla cake mix. This recipe works even though cake mix sizes are changing. Some are 13 ounces, some are 15 ounces, etc. It works with both.
  • cherry pie filling – I personally love the one that has extra cherries but you can use any brand you like. As you see below, I think the store brand is just fine.
  • almond extract – as I stated already, this is optional but almond goes so well with cherry and I think it keeps it from tasting like you just used cake mix.
  • salted butter – it has to be butter, not margarine.
ingredients for cherry dump cake: yellow boxed cake mix, two cans cherry pie filling, salted butter, almond extract

HOW TO MAKE CHERRY DUMP CAKE:

Preheat oven to 350f degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Stir 1/2 tsp almond extract into each can of pie filling and stir.

adding almond extract with a measuring spoon into can of cherry pie filling

Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into prepared baking dish.

cherry pie filling poured into a Pyrex glassware baking dish

Sprinkle yellow cake mix evenly over cherry pie filling.

dry yellow cake mix sprinkled on top of cherry pie filling in a clear glass baking dish

Slowly pour melted butter all over the top of the cake mix. Note: you could also slice the butter up into a bunch of squares and then evenly place them all over the top of the cake mix rather than melting the butter and pouring on top.

melted butter poured over yellow cake mix

Do your best to drizzle it all over. It won’t cover all the cake mix.

melted salted butter spread on yellow cake mix on top of cherry pie filling in a glass baking dish

Bake for about 50-60 minutes (until topping is golden brown.)

baked cherry dump cake

Serve warm! A scoop of ice cream on top is always nice too!

Cherry Dump Cake served on a white plate topped with vanilla ice cream and a spoon

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Cherry Dump Cake recipe

Cherry Dump Cake (+Video)

This easy Cherry Dump Cake dessert is made with cake mix, cherry pie filling, butter and a secret ingredient. "Dump" and bake!
4.93 from 196 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon almond extract (divided use – optional)
  • 2 (21 ounce) cans cherry pie filling
  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • ½ cup salted butter (1 stick), melted (see notes below)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Stir in half of the 1 teaspoon almond extract into each of the 2 (21 ounce) cans cherry pie filling and stir. (So half a teaspoon of almond extract into each can)
  • Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle 1 box yellow cake mix evenly over cherry pie filling.
  • Slowly pour 1/2 cup salted butter (1 stick), melted all over the top of the cake mix. Note: you could also slice the butter up into a bunch of squares and then evenly place them all over the top of the cake mix rather than melting the butter and pouring on top.
  • Bake for about 50-60 minutes (until topping is golden brown)

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
  • This can be done in the crock pot as well. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
  • Some folks add more tartness to this by adding pineapple. I think it personally makes it too tart but do what you like!
  • For added crunch, try sprinkling some sliced almonds on top of the cake mix before baking.
  • Instead of melting the butter you can cut it up into a bunch of squares and evenly place it on top of the cake mix layer. 
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 94mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Recipe Rating




114 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I used canned blackberries and lemon cake mix. Since I only had one can of pie filling, I only used half of the cake mix and used a 9×9 pan. It turned out great!

  2. 5 stars
    Today is my second time making this. I divide it into 8-10 portions. 5 to pack in my lunch for work, and the rest for late night snacks, topped with vanilla bean ice cream. 8^D

  3. 5 stars
    Simple and it got rave reviews. I used amaretto instead of almond extract. that amount of tasty for canned pie filling and box cake mix is ridiculously high.

  4. 5 stars
    Hey, Brandie! I just served up a serving of your Cherry Dump Cake to my husband and myself (plus a squirt of cold Redi-Whip) on each. We both agree that this is very tasty, and like your special addition of the almond extract! I don’t have Instagram, so I wanted to let you know that I DID make your recipe, and it was a keeper!!! Thanks for sharing!!❤️

  5. Well,,,, I was rushing and didn’t read the instructions thoroughly. I added 1 full tsp to each can of pie filling. . Baking it anyway. I’ll let ya know.

  6. 5 stars
    This is my third time making this wonderful dessert! Only changes I made was to use vanilla extract instead of the almond and I added the melted butter in a bowl with the cake mix. I liked how it turned out with the butter incorporated into all of the cake mix. Thank you for a delicious recipe and I can’t wait to try different variations.

  7. 5 stars
    I used yellow cake mix with cherry and apple pie filling. I dolloped the filling alternating the flavors. I also used almond extract but also added butter extract and coconut extract and topped with slivered almonds. my house smells amazing!! lol

  8. 5 stars
    Just trying the chocolate cherry dump cake now…its my first dump cake so we will see! Thanks for all the great ideas!

  9. 5 stars
    Just made it for a church lunch this Sunday. Went together in a whiz and smells delicious – can’t wait to scarf it up tomorrow! I bought 1/2 gallon of French vanilla ice cream to serve with it, too.

    Thanks for this yummy, quick-and-easy solution for “what to bring”. I’m pretty sure it’ll be a hit!

  10. 5 stars
    Omg! Made this tonight for my future in laws and wow they LOVED it! I took the advice from another comment to melt the butter with the cherry filling (yum!) Huge hit and easy to make! Thank you so much for my first dump cake, I’ll be making more in the future!

  11. 5 stars
    Excellent recipe. I read the comments and decided two sticks of plant based butter would work well. I also added some fresh blackberries to the cherries. It was great.

  12. No eggs! I looked at the recipe twice. I’m here at the grocery. Going to make this when I get home. And I found all sugar free ingredients for diabetic hubby

  13. 5 stars
    This is so delicious! I’ve made the cherry dump cake twice now. I omitted the almond extract the 2nd time and my family liked it better. I just made it a 3rd time using apple pie filling and my adult sons loved it! Great, easy recipe.

  14. I have Always dumped my cake mix in a bowl add melted butte. Mix with fingers to make pea size crumble mix. Sprinkle on top. Problem solved!

  15. Has anyone ever tried adding cream cheese between the cherry layer and the cake mix topping? If so, how did it turn out? Thanks!

  16. 5 stars
    This was easy and delicious! I used vanilla extract instead of almond extract. I also used Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Pineapple Supreme cake mix. Heaven!!!!!