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My chocolate cherry dump cake couldn't be simpler to throw together. Sometimes I feel like I'm cheating when I make it because it takes almost no effort but tastes totally incredible. When those sweet cherries mix with dark chocolate and you add a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, folks always want another helping.
The Simplest Cake You'll Ever Whip Up
The name dump cake sounds weird but it's actually brilliant. You just toss everything into a pan and stick it in the oven. No need to mix anything or break out measuring cups—just straightforward dessert happiness. It's perfect when you want something yummy without any hassle.
What You'll Need
- Cherry Pie Filling: Get two cans to make it super fruity and loaded with goodness.
- Almond Extract: A tiny bit really brings out the cherry flavor.
- Cake Mix: Devil's food cake mix gives you that rich chocolate taste.
- Butter: Cut it into thin pieces so it covers everything when it melts.
Let's Put It All Together
- Prep Your Baking Dish
- Coat a 13×9 pan with some butter and warm your oven to 350°F—super basic stuff.
- Begin With Fruit
- Stir that tiny bit of almond extract into your cherry filling then dump it in the pan.
- Sprinkle Cake Mix
- Scatter the cake mix over your cherries and don't bother stirring it together.
- Finish With Butter
- Place those skinny butter slices across the whole surface—try to get good coverage.
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Baking Instructions
Stick your creation in that 350°F oven and let it cook for around 45 minutes. You'll spot it's done when the surface looks fully baked and you can see cherry filling bubbling around the sides.
Dressing It Up
I love serving this while it's still warm with a hefty scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. It's amazing to watch the ice cream slowly melt into all that warm chocolate-cherry goodness—pure bliss.
Storage Tips
If you end up with extras, just wrap the pan in some foil. It'll stay tasty on your counter for a day or two, or keep it in your fridge for up to a week. A quick hit in the microwave brings back all that warm deliciousness.
Trying Fresh Fruit
I occasionally make this with cherries from the farmers market. Just combine about 5 cups of pitted cherries with a bit of sugar and cornstarch. That little splash of almond extract works wonders in this version too.
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Creating That Golden Crust
For a beautiful brown top, cut your butter really thin. I sometimes melt it with a splash of milk before pouring it over everything—it makes the cake extra soft.
A Clever Shortcut
Want a cool trick? Try using a can of soda instead of butter. Cherry cola or Sprite works great and gives you a super fluffy cake with extra flavor notes.
Crockpot Version
When life gets crazy, I toss this in my slow cooker. Layer everything the same way, then cook on low for about 4 hours. Your whole house will smell fantastic.
Crowd-Pleasing Dessert
This is what I bring to gatherings and family events. It travels so well, and people always want to know how I made it—they can't believe there's hardly any prep work.
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Romantic Treat
The mixture of chocolate and cherries makes this ideal for Valentine's Day. Sometimes I add an extra drizzle of chocolate sauce when I'm making it for someone special.
Switching Things Up
Feel free to try different flavors. Maybe use vanilla extract instead of almond or grab chocolate fudge cake mix. That's what makes cooking fun—you can tweak things to suit your taste.
Ice Cream Pairings
While I usually reach for vanilla ice cream, chocolate or cherry flavors taste awesome too. For parties, I'll set out a few different kinds and let everyone pick what they want.
Minimal Cleanup
Another reason I love this dessert is how little mess it makes. You'll only dirty one pan and maybe a spoon. That means more time to enjoy your sweet treat.
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Flavor Booster
That tiny bit of almond extract seems so small but it totally transforms this dessert. It really brings out the cherry flavor in a way nothing else can.
Easier Than Fruit Cobbler
Lots of folks tell me this reminds them of cobbler but with way less work. You get that amazing fruit base and crispy top without any of the fuss.
Seasonal Favorite
While it's perfect for February 14th, we make this all through the year. Try it with peaches during summer months or blueberries when spring rolls around.
Heartwarming Dessert
There's something really wonderful about sharing this warm, gooey treat with family and friends. It's not fancy but that's what makes it great—it's just good, honest comfort food.
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Final Thoughts
This no-fuss dish pairs cherries and chocolate for a rich and crowd-pleasing treat. It’s great for when you want something both easy and impressive.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Why do they call it a dump cake?
Because you just dump the stuff straight into the baking pan—no stirring required! It’s as easy as desserts get.
- → How can I tell when it's ready?
It's good to go when the top is golden and the cherry filling is bubbling in the middle. Expect a few dry patches on top.
- → Is almond extract important?
Not at all! But if you like a nutty cherry twist, it’s a fun add-on. It tastes great without it too.
- → What’s the best way to serve it?
Scoop it up warm and top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. That mix of warm and cold is heavenly!
- → How long does it stay fresh?
It’s fine at room temp for 2-3 days or in the fridge for about a week. Microwave servings to warm them up if needed.