Okay, so you’re looking for some utterly fantastic and ridiculously easy dessert ideas? Well, you’ve landed in the right spot because today we’re diving headfirst into the magical world of cherry dump cake. Seriously, if you’re hunting for irresistible cherry dump cake recipes you’ll love, this is it! This isn’t some fussy bake that takes all day. Nope, this is the kind of cake that practically makes itself, and it tastes like pure sunshine and happiness. I remember the first time my aunt whipped this up for a summer BBQ; I swear I ate three slices before the main course even came out!
Why This Irresistible Cherry Dump Cake Recipe is a Must-Try
Honestly, what’s not to love about this cake? It’s the definition of a win-win in the kitchen. Here’s why you absolutely need to try it:
- Super Quick: We’re talking about a dessert that goes from pantry to oven in about 10 minutes flat. Perfect for those last-minute cravings!
- Barely Any Effort: The name says it all – it’s a dump cake! You literally just dump the ingredients in. No fancy mixing or creaming required.
- Minimal Ingredients: You probably already have most of what you need in your cupboard right now. Just a few simple items make pure magic.
- Crowd-Pleaser Guarantee: Seriously, everyone goes nuts for this cake. The sweet cherries and buttery cake topping are a match made in heaven.
Gather Your Ingredients for Irresistible Cherry Dump Cake
Okay, to make this dreamy dessert, you really don’t need much! It’s all about simplicity. Here’s what you’ll want to grab:
- One big can, about 21 ounces, of super yummy cherry pie filling. Make sure it’s the filling, not just cherries in syrup!
- A standard box of yellow cake mix. We’re talking the 18.25 ounce size. Yep, just that dry mix straight from the box.
- Half a cup of unsalted butter. You’ll need to melt this down before you use it. I usually just pop it in a microwave-safe bowl for about 30 seconds.
- And if you’re feeling fancy (and I totally recommend it!), about half a cup of chopped pecans. They add this lovely little crunch!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Irresistible Cherry Dump Cake
Alright, get ready, because this is where the magic happens, and it’s SO ridiculously easy. You’re going to feel like a baking genius without breaking a sweat. Here’s how we do it, nice and simple:
Preheating and Preparing the Dish
First things first, let’s get that oven warmed up! You want to set it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s 175 Celsius for my friends across the pond). While that’s heating, grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. You don’t need to grease it or anything fancy, just have it ready.
Layering the Irresistible Cherry Dump Cake
This is the “dump” part, folks! Open that can of delicious cherry pie filling and just pour it right into the bottom of your baking dish. Spread it out as evenly as you can with your spoon. Then, take that dry yellow cake mix and sprinkle it allllll over the top of the cherries. Try to get it as even as possible so you don’t have big clumps. Now, take your melted butter and drizzle it all over the dry cake mix. Get every corner! If you’re adding those lovely pecans, sprinkle them on top of the butter now. It’s like a little nutty blanket! For another amazing cherry treat, check out this crazy easy chocolate cherry dump cake recipe too!
Baking and Cooling Your Cherry Dump Cake
Pop that dish into your preheated oven. You’re going to bake it for about 40 to 50 minutes. Keep an eye on it – you’re looking for the top to be beautifully golden brown and for the edges to be all bubbly and delicious. Once it looks perfect, carefully take it out of the oven. Let it cool for just a little bit, maybe 10-15 minutes, before you dive in. Trust me, it’s worth being a little patient!
Tips for the Perfect Irresistible Cherry Dump Cake
Okay, so while this cake is super simple, there are a couple of little tricks I’ve learned that really make it sing. For starters, make sure that cake mix is really, truly dry when you sprinkle it on. If any chunks try to form, just gently break them up with your fingers. It helps ensure you get that lovely, even golden crust all over. Also, try to get the melted butter drizzled as evenly as possible over the whole cake mix layer – those buttery spots are pure gold! And don’t be afraid to play with the pie filling; sometimes I find a little extra swirl of the thick filling on top before adding the cake mix makes it extra saucy. You can even mix a tiny spoonful of almond extract into the cherry filling if you want to get *really* fancy, it plays so well with the cherries!
Serving Suggestions for Your Irresistible Cherry Dump Cake
This dump cake is fantastic all on its own, but oh my goodness, serving it warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream is just heavenly. The hot, gooey cherries and cake mix with the cold, creamy ice cream? It’s pure bliss! Whipped cream is also a total winner if you want something a little lighter. Honestly, a dollop of either makes this already amazing dessert absolutely irresistible. Don’t forget to check out other delicious fruity treats like this vanilla bean pistachio cake while you’re at it!
Variations on Irresistible Cherry Dump Cake Recipes
This cherry dump cake is amazing as is, but oh boy, can you have fun with it! Don’t feel locked into just cherries. I’ve used apple pie filling in the fall and peach in the summer, and they are SO good. White cake mix works great too, or if you’re feeling adventurous, try a spice cake mix – it’s like a little hug in a bowl! It really shows how you can switch things up and still get that easy, delicious dump cake magic. For another delightful fruity twist, you might want to peek at this irresistible apple crisp cheesecake!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Dump Cake
Got questions about this super simple, super scrumptious cherry dump cake? I totally get it! It’s almost too easy, right? Let me clear up a few things for you.
Can I make this ahead of time for a party?
Honestly, dump cakes are best baked fresh. While you *could* assemble it ahead of time, I’d really recommend baking it just before you plan to serve it. It’s so quick, you really don’t need to stress about making it too far in advance. It’s at its best when hot and bubbly!
What if I don’t have yellow cake mix? Can I use something else?
Absolutely! That’s the beauty of these irresistible cherry dump cake recipes. While yellow cake mix is my go-to for that classic flavor, a white cake mix works beautifully too. Some folks even love using a spice cake mix for a little extra warmth, especially if you’re serving it during the cooler months. Just grab what you have!
How do I store leftovers of this easy cake recipe?
If, by some tiny miracle, you have any leftovers, just pop them into an airtight container. You can store them right on the counter for a day or two if it’s not too warm, but I usually pop mine in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Just warm up a slice gently in the microwave or oven when you’re ready for another taste of this delightful fruit dessert.
My cake mix looks clumpy after baking, what did I do wrong?
Oh, don’t you worry about that! Sometimes the cake mix can clump a bit. The key is to really sprinkle it evenly and then drizzle that melted butter ALL over the top, making sure to get into those little dry spots. Gently breaking up any big clumps before you add the butter usually helps a whole lot too!
Nutritional Information (Estimate)
Now, keep in mind this is just an estimate, because everyone’s kitchen is a little different, right? But roughly, a serving of this glorious cherry dump cake comes in around 350 calories. You’re looking at approximately 15g of fat, with about 8g of that being saturated. Then there are about 50g of carbs (hello, sugar from those cherries and cake mix!) and a couple of grams of protein and fiber rounding it out. Enjoy every bite!
Print
Irresistible Cherry Dump Cake
- Total Time: 55 min
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious cherry dump cake recipe that is perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
- 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Spread the cherry pie filling evenly in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the cherry pie filling.
- Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix.
- Sprinkle with chopped pecans, if desired.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- You can substitute other fruit pie fillings for the cherry.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: cherry dump cake, easy cake recipe, fruit dessert, quick dessert, simple baking