Name: Cherry Dump Cake Recipes That Taste Like Grandma Baked It Herself
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 cans cherry pie filling (21 oz each); 1 box yellow cake mix; 3/4 cup unsalted butter, sliced into thin pats

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I’m not saying this cherry dump cake changed my life, but I’ve made it four times this month. If you’ve got a can of cherry pie filling, a box of yellow cake mix, and a stick of butter, you’re already halfway to dessert heaven. It’s the kind of recipe you keep in your back pocket for surprise guests, late-night cravings, or let’s-be-real—just because it’s Thursday. There’s something oddly satisfying about dumping everything into one dish and calling it a day. And when you pull it out of the oven, golden and bubbling with gooey cherries and buttery crumbles… let’s just say your kitchen will smell like pure nostalgia. Bonus points if you add chocolate chips—you’ll be everyone’s favorite human. Whether you’re into the classic version, making a cherry dump cake with pie filling, tossing it in the crock pot, or keeping it to three ingredients only, this recipe plays nice with all the variations. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the chocolate cherry version. Game over.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
3) Ingredients for Cherry Dump Cake
4) How to Make Cherry Dump Cake
5) Tips for Making Cherry Dump Cake
6) Making Cherry Dump Cake Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Cherry Dump Cake
8) Try these Cakes next!
9) Cherry Dump Cake
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This cherry dump cake is made with only 3 ingredients
No mixing bowls needed, just layer and bake
Perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests
You can use a crock pot or bake it in the oven

2) Easy Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

When time is tight but your sweet tooth won’t wait, a cherry dump cake delivers the kind of dessert magic that doesn’t ask for much. It’s got charm, it’s got gooey cherry pockets, and it knows how to work a box of cake mix like a pro. We’re talking just three ingredients here, and none of them require you to beat, whisk, or fold a thing.

The secret to this dessert? You don’t stir anything. You just layer and bake. If that sounds suspiciously lazy, good. That’s the goal. And if you’ve got a crock pot and feel like letting this bubble away without heating your kitchen, this recipe can ride along in there too.

Cherry dump cake recipes work for everything from Sunday suppers to backyard potlucks. You don’t need an excuse. You just need cherries, cake mix, and butter. Simple, right? Grab a spoon. Things are about to get gooey.

3) Ingredients for Cherry Dump Cake

Cherry Pie Filling: This is where the flavor lives. Two big cans, ready to pour. It’s tart, sweet, and does all the heavy lifting in the flavor department.

Yellow Cake Mix: You don’t need to get fancy. A classic box of yellow cake mix adds the perfect fluffy texture and subtle vanilla notes.

Butter: Thin slices of butter melt down into the cake mix, turning it golden and rich with every bite. Cold and sliced is best.

4) How to Make Cherry Dump Cake

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. A little heat goes a long way in waking up those cherries.

Step 2. Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into a 9×13 baking dish. Spread it gently, like you’re tucking it in for a nap.

Step 3. Sprinkle the entire box of dry cake mix evenly across the top of the cherries. No stirring allowed. Just dump it like confetti.

Step 4. Lay the slices of butter across the surface. Cover as much of the cake mix as you can. Some spots might look patchy, but that’s part of the charm.

Step 5. Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes. The top should turn golden, and the edges should bubble like a cozy fruit volcano.

Step 6. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Or don’t. I’ve burned my tongue more than once sneaking a bite too early.

5) Tips for Making Cherry Dump Cake

If your butter slices are too thick, they won’t melt evenly. Thinner is better. We’re going for melt-and-soak, not clump-and-sit.

Wanna shake things up? Swap the yellow cake mix for chocolate and you’ve got a chocolate cherry dump cake. That combo never misses.

Don’t skimp on the cherry filling. Two cans are the sweet spot. One just isn’t enough for that signature gooey base cherry dump cake recipes are known for.

6) Making Cherry Dump Cake Ahead of Time

If you’re planning ahead, you can assemble the whole thing in your baking dish and store it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Just don’t add the butter until it’s time to put it in the oven.

Wanna go slow and steady? Try the cherry dump cake crock pot method. Dump it all into your slow cooker, cover, and let it do its thing for a few hours. The result is just as cozy and even less work.

Planning a big gathering? This dessert holds well at room temperature and makes a great addition to potluck tables or casual family dinners. Everyone grabs a scoop and gets quiet fast. That’s how you know it’s good.

7) Storing Leftover Cherry Dump Cake

Leftovers? Lucky you. Scoop the rest into an airtight container and keep it chilled in the fridge for up to five days. That’s assuming it lasts that long.

When you’re ready for round two, reheat a portion in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’re golden.

Cherry dump cake recipes reheat well, but don’t expect the top to stay crisp. It softens, but the flavor stays big. And honestly, warm and soft has its own charm.

8) Try these Cakes next!

9) Cherry Dump Cake