Easy Cherry Dump Cake Recipe made with 3 simple ingredients- yellow cake mix, cherry pie filling and butter. Also you can whip this dessert up in just under 5 minutes of prep time!
Try my popular Lemon Dump Cake Recipe next! You will also love this Chocolate Chip Cake next. Find all Cake Recipes on Greedyeats at one place.

I love to make elaborate recipes but there is no denying that sometimes simple, quick and easy desserts are all you need. After cooking dinner recipes for hours, if you want to rely on a homemade dessert that practically takes no time, dump cakes are the answer.
Jump to:
- What is a dump cake?
- Taste and Texture of today's recipe:
- Variation of this cake: Black Forest Dump Cake
- Ingredients and possible substitutions for this Cake:
- Overview: How to make this Cake?
- Tips and Storing information for a perfect tasting Cake:
- Can I skip Almond Extract?
- How do you tell if a dump cake is done?
- More easy summer recipes for you:
- Recipe
What is a dump cake?
What on earth is a dump cake you might think if you have not heard of this cake! Well it is simply what the name suggests, a cake that you make by simply dumping the ingredients in a baking tray. No prior preparation is required.
If you are craving fruit desserts that need minimum ingredients and literally no time in getting to oven, then you've come to the right place!
Oh and if you love cherries, try my Healthy Chocolate Muffins dotted with fresh cherries!
But for now grab a yellow cake mix and a can of cherry Pie filling and lets begin!
Taste and Texture of today's recipe:
If I was told to define this cake, I'd say- It's a Crumbly cookie like cake that sits on gooey and warm cherry filling. Eating it almost feels like eating a cobbler/pie (only made in so much less time)!
Variation of this cake: Black Forest Dump Cake
By using chocolate cake mix instead of yellow cake mix, you can convert this cake into Black Forest Dump Cake. Baking time will almost be the same. Just take care not to end up burning the cake since it will be quite darker in color.
Ingredients and possible substitutions for this Cake:
Full Ingredients' list and their amounts are mentioned down in the recipe card. Here is an overview or what you will need for this recipe and how you can substitute these ingredients.
I made this recipe in an 8 inch square cake pan to serve only a few people. You can easily double this recipe and bake it in a larger pan.
Butter: Melt and cool down the butter slightly before adding it to cake mix. I use salted butter here, if you reach for unsalted add ⅛ teaspoon of salt to your butter.
Cherry Pie Filling: We will use 1 can of cherry filling in the base of this cake. You can pretty much use any pie filling of your choice here. Fillings like blueberry, apple, strawberry or even pumpkin pie filling will all be fine here.
Almond Extract: Almond flavor goes very well with cherries. I strongly suggest you try it this way. Just ½ teaspoon is required.
Yellow Cake Mix: Instead of yellow cake mix, you can even use cake mix of your liking. White cake mix or even French Vanilla Cake mix works in a pinch. You will need ½ of the entire package to make an 8 inch dump cake. Cake mixes come in different sizes, like some are 13 oz some are 15 oz. Both will work for this recipe.
Overview: How to make this Cake?
We will begin by mixing almond extract into the can of filling.
Next we will pour filling to a greased cake pan. Then we spread the package of cake mix over the spread filling.
Now it is time to pour in melted butter slowly and give it a quick mix using hands so that almost all cake mix is wet with butter.
Mixing the butter into cake mix is totally optional. But I think roughly mixing it in the cake mix makes a better textured cake. You can totally skip this step if you wish.
Also some recipes cubed butter instead of melted butter. You just line thin slices of cubed butter over cake mix and bake the cake till done. The butter will melt by itself in the oven and get combined with the cake mix.
Bake this at 350 deg F until it turns golden on top.
Tips and Storing information for a perfect tasting Cake:
- Cubed or Grated Butter works too: You can not only add cubed butter as opposed to melting and pouring it, but also butter can directly be grated over cake mix. It works like a charm!
- To make this in a 9x13 inch baking tray: You will need 2 cherry pie cans and one whole box of cake mix.
- Do I need to refrigerate this cake: You can serve Cherry Dump Cake straight out of the oven. Top it off with some whipped cream or a scoop of ice-cream if you prefer!
- How to serve this cake Hot/Cold? It is a personal preference, since this is a quick dessert you can serve it right outta oven. If there are leftovers, they can be refrigerated for a day or two!
- You can also make this cake in your crock pot: To make this cake in slow cooker, you will need to cook it on high for 2 hours. Or you can also cook it on low for 4 hours.
Can I skip Almond Extract?
If you don't have it on hand, feel free to skip it. I suggest replacing it with a splash of vanilla extract for a better flavor.
How do you tell if a dump cake is done?
When your dump cake is done, it will appear golden on top and cherry pie filling underneath would be bubbling.
More easy summer recipes for you:
If you liked this recipe give it a star review. Also, tell me in the comments below, how did this turn out for you! And don’t forget to share your creations with me on Instagram at #greedyeatsblog Also follow me on Pinterest and Facebook!
Recipe
Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Equipment
- 8 inch Square Pan
Ingredients
- ½ package Yellow Cake Mix
- ¼ Cup (½ stick) Salted Butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 1 can Cherry Pie Filling
- ½ teaspoon Almond Extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8" baking dish with cooking spray.
- Stir almond extract into the can of pie filling. Pour this entire can of cherry pie filling into prepared baking pan.½ teaspoon Almond Extract, 1 can Cherry Pie Filling
- Sprinkle yellow cake mix evenly over cherry pie filling. Pour melted butter all over the top of the cake mix slowly and try to mix butter into the the cake mix (as much as you can without touching the filling layer) using a spoon or your fingers.½ package Yellow Cake Mix, ¼ Cup (½ stick) Salted Butter
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cake looks golden on top and the cherry filling is bubbling underneath. Serve with a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream. Enjoy!!
Notes
- This recipe can be easily doubled and baked in a 9x13 inches baking tray. You will use an entire packet of cake mix and 2 cans of pie filling in this case.
- If you like, you can add some slivered almonds in the cake mix to make it a little crunchy.
- Almond extract can be omitted, try replacing it with vanilla. It pairs perfectly with cherries.
- For an added tart flavor you can use some canned pineapple along with cherries. In that case use ½ can of cherry pie filling and ½ of 20 oz can of pineapple.
Vicky
Your cherry dump cake recipe is a game-changer; the simplicity of the ingredients (and just 4 of them!) combined with the mouthwatering result is just what I need for my next gathering.
Marysa
I haven't made a dessert with cherries in a long time. This sounds like a great recipe. Perfect for when we go cherry picking!
Renata Green
This looks delicious. I love the mix of juicy fruits and crispy dough. All that's missing is some whipped cream 😉
Neely Moldovan
I for sure want to try and make this. Looks amazing!
Kuntala
Oh, wow! That looks absolutely delicious. I love making dump cakes. They come together so fast, and they're so tasty. This looks like a great one!
Cinny
I think my son would love to try this out. It looks absolutely delicious
BRIANNA S
This looks so darn good! I want to make it for a party next week.
Dominique
This is a quick and easy dessert! My family doesn't love cherries -- do you have a suggestion for another fruit that we could switch out here? Thank you!
Ivan M. Jose
The cheery dump cake looks fantastic! I'm craving cake and coffee just by looking at it. Thanks for the recipe.
Emily Fata
This recipe looks DIVINE! I'm definitely going to have to try to make these myself.
Christine Weis
YUM! This cake looks so delicious! The red in those cherries just POP! I can't wait to try this recipe. Thank you!
Gervin Khan
Yummy! It looks amazing! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe! I'd love to try this at home.
Kat
Cherry is not really my thing but this one looks delicious! thanks for sharing the recipe 🍰
Lizzy
This cherry dump cake recipe it’s absolutely divine. It’s the perfect amount of sweetness. Yum!
Grasyah [Of Coffee and Crackers]
Oh CHERRIESSSS!!!!
I so love cherries!!
Thank you for sharing the recipe! wish I can bake sometime soon!
Heather
The more I read about dump cakes, the more I want to try one. This one looks delicious!
Elise Ho
My hubby loves all things carb. I am sure he would love this too.
John
These look very tasty indeed. Who doesn't love cake!!?? One to add to my recipe list.
Talya Stone
Oooh this looks delicious! I have a load of cherries in the freezer this would be perfect for.