Best chocolate cherry dump cake—just reading the words might bring a smile. This dessert is rich, indulgent, and shockingly easy. If you grew up with dump cakes, you know the magic: just layer, bake, and enjoy. And if you didn’t, get ready to fall in love with this decadent twist.
In our family, this cake always made its way to birthdays, potlucks, or even “just because” Sundays. My aunt used to whip it up in under 10 minutes, toss it in the oven, and by dinner’s end, we’d have the coziest, gooey chocolate cherry dessert filling the house with the smell of pure comfort. It’s that kind of recipe—the one that’s always welcome.
Let’s bake this beauty together.
Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake is rich, gooey, and incredibly easy—just layer, bake, and enjoy. With tart cherry filling, moist chocolate cake topping, and a buttery crust, it’s the ultimate fuss-free dessert. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for the perfect finishing touch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Cooking spray, for greasing the dish
- 2 cups fresh sweet cherries, stemmed and pitted (optional)
- 2 (21 oz) cans cherry pie filling
- 1 (15.25 oz) box dark chocolate cake mix
- 12 tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, sliced thinly
- Flaky salt (optional)
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)
Substitutions
- Use devil’s food cake mix if dark chocolate isn’t available
- Swap in thawed frozen cherries if fresh aren’t in season
- Add white chocolate chips or chopped nuts for extra flavor and texture
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spread cherry pie filling evenly in the bottom of the dish.
- Sprinkle dry chocolate cake mix evenly over the filling—do not stir.
- Distribute cold butter slices over the dry cake mix, covering as much surface as possible.
- Top with fresh cherries and a pinch of flaky salt, if using.
- Bake for 50–55 minutes, until bubbly at the edges with a crisp topping.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for the best experience.
Notes
- Don’t stir the layers—dump-and-bake is key to the texture.
- A mix of pie filling and fresh cherries gives both sweetness and bite.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently.
- You can freeze individual portions for later treats.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 330
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
- Only 5 ingredients—yes, seriously!
- Perfect for chocolate lovers with rich, fudgy flavor
- No mixing bowls needed—dump and bake style
- Great with ice cream or whipped cream
- Freezer-friendly for make-ahead desserts
- Great for holidays, last-minute guests, or weeknight treats
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cooking spray, for greasing the dish
- 2 cups fresh sweet cherries, stemmed and pitted (optional but recommended for extra texture)
- 2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box dark chocolate cake mix
- 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, sliced
- Flaky salt, optional, for finishing
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional but highly recommended)
Substitutions:
- Use devil’s food cake mix if dark chocolate isn’t available
- Swap in frozen cherries, thawed and drained, if fresh aren’t in season
- Add white chocolate chips or nuts for a twist on texture and flavor
How to Make the Best Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
This rich chocolate cherry dump cake comes together in a few simple steps—no mixer, no bowls. Just layer and bake!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a rack in the center. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spread the cherry pie filling evenly in the bottom of the dish. Use the back of a spoon or spatula to create a smooth layer.
- Evenly sprinkle the dry dark chocolate cake mix over the top of the filling. Do not stir—it should remain as a dry layer on top.
- Slice the cold butter into thin pats (about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick) and distribute them evenly over the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much surface as possible to ensure a moist and evenly baked topping.
- Scatter the fresh cherries across the top of the butter for a pop of flavor and texture. Sprinkle with flaky salt if desired.
- Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the top has formed a crispy crust and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges. The center will remain slightly gooey, which is part of its charm!
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving to help the filling set slightly.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance the rich chocolate and tart cherry flavors.
Tips & Tasty Variations
- Add a dash of cinnamon to the cherry filling for warmth
- Use cherry pie filling with extra cherries for more texture
- Try white chocolate chips for contrast
- Add a drizzle of hot fudge over the top before serving
- Make mini dump cakes in ramekins for individual servings
Looking for more cozy cherry treats? Try our Strawberry Pie Cream Cheese Crumb Bars for another fruity favorite!
FAQ: Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?
You can! Just cook them down with sugar and cornstarch until syrupy.
Can I use a different cake mix?
Yes, dark chocolate, chocolate fudge, or even brownie mix all work great.
Should the cake mix be stirred in?
Nope! Keep the layers separate. That’s what gives dump cake its classic texture.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes! Bake it and refrigerate. It reheats well in the oven or microwave.
Is it freezer friendly?
Definitely. Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat gently.
What’s the best way to serve it?
Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top.
Community Corner
Do you have your own version of the best chocolate cherry dump cake? Maybe you use brownies or top it with marshmallows? Tag @TastyRecipeClub or comment below and show us your spin!
