The chocolate cherry dump cake is a true mash-up of flavors, bringing together the rich decadence of chocolate lava cake and the fruity goodness of cherry cobbler. This dessert has a way of sparking laughter; I even endured an hours-long riff-off between my husband and stepson while making one!
Despite the euphemism jokes, it’s a dream dessert that’s impossible-to-mess-up. You just grab a box of dry cake mix, add a canned cherry pie filling, toss in some pitted cherries, and layer cold butter tiles on top. The oven then works its magic, melting everything into a gooey cake with crisp, brownie-like edges and a jammy fruit bottom that’s hard to resist.
What makes this dessert even better is how quick and easy it is to make with so few ingredients and no advanced cooking skills. Just dump it all into a baking dish and wait for that first warm bite. When I serve it at parties or for family, it’s gone in no time—truly the easiest way to impress everyone! The flavor combination of chocolate and cherries is incredibly satisfying and feels almost like a short-notice treat that’s packed with flavor. If you’re looking for a delicious dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, this chocolate cherry dump cake might be your new go-to recipe. “This thing has no business being this good,” as my husband put it.
Why You’ll Love It
- Prep for this chocolate cherry dump cake takes only five minutes. Just gather some easy-to-find ingredients for a quick start.
- Dump a boxed Devil’s Food Cake Mix and canned cherry pie filling into a dish for a rich, gooey cake with the perfect chocolate flavor.
- Add semisweet chocolate chips if you’d like extra chocolate or try chopped pecans for a nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
- Place salted butter pieces on top to enhance the flavors as it bakes.
- Pop it all in the oven for 45 minutes, and let the work happen—no more effort needed!
- Enjoy this quick, easy dessert that combines elements of a bubbling cobbler, fruit-filled pie, and chewy brownie.
- For more options, swap in different berries or pie fillings to create various fruit versions of this chocolate cherry dessert.
- Everything you need is available in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.
Key Ingredients in Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
- Start with three ingredients for a simple and delicious dessert: cherry pie filling, dark chocolate cake mix, and unsalted butter.
- For the cherry pie filling, pick up two cans from the grocery store. It’s a smart shortcut that includes pitted sour cherries, sweetener, and thickener in every can.
- Next, grab a dark chocolate cake mix. Don’t worry about the back of the box instructions—instead, you’ll sprinkle the dry cake mix directly over the cherry pie filling.
- If you can’t find dark chocolate cake mix, use devil’s food cake mix as a great alternative.
- Cut unsalted butter into thin slices and layer it over the cake mix. Don’t melt the butter or drizzle it, as it may cause dry pockets in the cake mix. The pats of butter will melt into the cake, creating a crunchy topping.
- Optionally, add some fresh cherries to boost the cherry flavor. Pit a handful of sweet or sour cherries and mix them in for extra texture and tartness.
This simple combination of ingredients will come together perfectly in the oven for a treat that’s hard to resist!
How to Make Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Prepare the baking dish: Start by adding 2 cans of cherry pie filling to the bottom of a baking dish. If you have fresh cherries, pit them and add them to the dish. Spread the fruit evenly.
Add the cake mix: Sprinkle the dark chocolate cake mix evenly over the top of the cherries and the rest of the fruit. Make sure it’s evenly distributed.
Add butter: Cut unsalted butter into thin slices and arrange them on top of the cake mix. The slices should cover the surface of the cake mix completely, without melting the butter in advance.
Bake: Place the baking dish into the oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until the fruit is bubbling and the top is crispy and set. The cake should look golden brown with bubbly edges.
Serve: Once done, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Scoop the warm fruit and cake into serving bowls and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Store for later: If you manage to have leftovers, try saving some dump cake for the next day—it somehow tastes even better after a rest.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans of cherry pie filling
- Fresh cherries (optional, pitted)
- 1 box of dark chocolate cake mix
- Unsalted butter (cut into thin slices)
- Vanilla ice cream (for serving)
- Chocolate chips (optional, for extra flavor)
- Chopped pecans (optional, for added texture)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Add 2 cans of cherry pie filling to the bottom of a baking dish. Optionally, add pitted fresh cherries for extra cherry flavor.
- Sprinkle dark chocolate cake mix evenly over the top of the cherries.
- Cut unsalted butter into thin slices and arrange them evenly over the cake mix.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top is crispy and the fruit is bubbling.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes, then scoop the warm cake and fruit into bowls. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Optional: Add chocolate chips and chopped pecans for extra flavor and texture.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories: 400–450 (depending on ice cream and toppings)
- Fat: 22–25g
- Carbohydrates: 55–60g
- Sugar: 35–40g
- Protein: 3–5g
- Fiber: 2–3g
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