Cherry Dump Cake – A Sweet Indulgence for Every Occasion

You know the joys of baking from scratch, but sometimes a quick and easy recipe is just what you need. Whether you’re pressed for time or simply looking for something sweet, this cherry dump cake fits the bill, especially if you’re looking to involve kids in the baking process.

While some people might scoff at using cake mixes or canned fillings, this cherry dump cake proves that simplicity doesn’t sacrifice flavor. Prepare this delightful dessert, and let your friends and family rave about it without knowing just how easy it was to make!

What is cherry dump cake?

The term “dump cake” may raise eyebrows, but it simply refers to a dessert that is made by dumping all ingredients into a pan and baking them together. This recipe foregoes extensive mixing, resulting in a dessert that’s more akin to a cobbler or crumble, where the fruit filling takes the base and a buttery cake-like layer crowns it.

For this version, the sweet cherries combined with a hint of almond flavor set off a delicious taste profile that, when paired with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, becomes an easy yet elegant dessert everyone will love!

How to make cherry dump cake

This cherry dump cake recipe is incredibly straightforward and requires few ingredients, many of which you may already have at home!

Ingredients you’ll need

• 2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling
• ½ cup tart cherry juice
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
• 10 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• ¼ cup sliced almonds

If you prefer to make your own cherry pie filling, that’s an excellent option! While shopping for store-bought varieties, look for “extra fruit” labels for a more flavorful result. Tart cherry juice adds depth, but if you lack it, feel free to substitute with maraschino cherry juice or even water.

While almond extract and sliced almonds elevate this cake, you can adjust or eliminate these ingredients based on dietary preferences or allergies.

Making this cherry dump cake

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Next, pour the cherry pie filling, cherry juice, and almond extract into the pan, stirring to combine. Evenly sprinkle the cake mix over the cherry mixture, then drizzle the melted butter on top. If using, sprinkle the sliced almonds last.

Pop the assembled cake into the oven for one hour, until the top is golden and the cherry filling is bubbly. Let it cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving.

Recipe variations

This cherry dump cake is versatile, so here are a few variations to customize it to your liking:

• Swap out the almond extract and sliced almonds for chopped pecans if preferred.
• If tart cherry juice is unavailable, use maraschino cherry juice, cranberry juice, or even water.
• For a twist, use chocolate cake mix instead of yellow cake mix to make a chocolate cherry dump cake.
• Alternatively, substitute one can of cherry pie filling for a 21-ounce can of peach pie filling for a cherry-peach dump cake.
• Feel free to experiment with other fruit pie fillings, such as blueberry or strawberry, for new flavor combinations.

More easy dump cake recipes

If cherry dump cake tantalizes your taste buds, explore these other delightful dump cakes:

Apple dump cake complements any season but shines especially during fall, particularly when served with ice cream and caramel drizzle.

Cherry pineapple dump cake incorporates the same flavors as this recipe but adds tropical flair through pineapple and coconut.

Blueberry dump cake electrifies summer celebrations with its fresh blueberry and white cake mix combination.

Don’t forget about easy peach cobbler, resembling a dump cake with its canned peaches and cake mix, and pumpkin crunch cake for a delightful fall dessert!