This 3 ingredient chocolate cherry dump cake recipe is one of the easiest desserts you can make when you want something warm, rich, and comforting without much effort. With chocolate cake mix, cherry pie filling, and butter, it bakes into a soft, fudgy, cozy dessert that feels much more special than the work it takes.
If you love warm shortcut desserts like this one, you can explore more easy baked dessert recipes for beginners for simple and cozy ideas.
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Table of Contents
Recipe Info
| Recipe Detail | Time |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 45 minutes |
| Active Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 55 minutes |
| Servings | 8 |
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cake is wonderfully easy, with almost no mixing and very little cleanup.
It gives you that deep chocolate flavor with bright, jammy cherries in every scoop.
It is the kind of cozy dessert that feels perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or a quiet evening at home.
Quick Answer
For the best easy chocolate cherry dump cake, spread two cans of cherry pie filling in a greased 9×13 pan, sprinkle one box of chocolate cake mix evenly over the top, add thin slices of butter across the surface, and bake at 350°F for about 45 minutes until bubbly and set.
If you enjoy easy fruit desserts baked with cake mix, this peach cobbler with cake mix is another cozy option to try.
Ingredients
- 2 cans cherry pie filling (21 ounces each)
Use regular cherry pie filling for the classic version. Dark sweet cherry filling works beautifully too. - 1 box chocolate cake mix (about 15.25 ounces)
Devil’s food cake mix gives the richest flavor, but standard chocolate cake mix also works well. - 3/4 cup unsalted butter
Thinly sliced. This helps the dry cake mix bake into a golden, tender topping.
Optional for serving
- Vanilla ice cream
- Fresh whipped cream
- A few fresh cherries
- A light dusting of cocoa powder
Step by Step
1. Preheat the oven
Set your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Add the cherry filling
Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the baking dish. Spread them into an even layer so the fruit covers the entire bottom. This layer becomes the soft, sweet base of the dessert.
3. Sprinkle the cake mix
Open the chocolate cake mix and sprinkle it evenly over the cherry filling. Try to cover the filling from edge to edge without stirring. The beauty of a dump cake is in the layering, so leave everything as separate layers.
4. Top with butter
Slice the butter very thinly and place the slices evenly across the top of the dry cake mix. Cover as much surface area as you can. This helps prevent dry patches and gives the topping a better texture.
5. Bake
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. The top should look set, with some slightly crisp areas, and the cherry filling should be bubbling around the edges.
6. Let it rest
Remove the cake from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This gives the filling a little time to settle and makes it easier to scoop.
7. Serve warm
Spoon into bowls while still warm. A scoop of vanilla ice cream melts beautifully over the top and balances the rich chocolate and sweet cherries.
3 Ingredient Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the baking dish and spread into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the chocolate cake mix evenly over the cherry filling without stirring.
- Slice the butter very thinly and place the slices evenly across the top of the dry cake mix, covering as much surface area as possible.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top looks set and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Spoon into bowls and serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, fresh cherries, or a dusting of cocoa powder.
Notes
Nutrition Table
| Nutrition | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 390 |
| Protein | 3g |
| Carbohydrates | 53g |
| Fat | 19g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 31g |
| Sodium | 390mg |
These numbers are approximate and can vary depending on the brand of cake mix and pie filling you use. Since this is a simple dessert made with packaged ingredients, checking your labels will give the most accurate final values.
Health Benefits
This recipe is first and foremost a comfort dessert, but it does have a few practical advantages. Cherries bring a little fruit into the dish along with bright flavor that keeps the chocolate from feeling too heavy.
Because it only uses a few ingredients, it is also very approachable for beginner bakers or anyone who wants a homemade dessert without a long shopping list. It can be a helpful option for gatherings, especially when time and energy are limited.
Like most sweet baked desserts, it is best enjoyed as a treat. Serving it with a smaller scoop and a spoonful of whipped cream or a little yogurt can make it feel balanced and satisfying.
Common Mistakes
Using too little butter
If the butter does not cover enough of the cake mix, you may end up with dry powdery spots on top. Slice it thinly and spread it well.
Stirring the layers
This dessert works best when the layers stay separate. Stirring changes the texture and takes away the classic dump cake finish.
Underbaking
Even though it is simple, the cake still needs enough time for the topping to set and the fruit to bubble. If the center still looks dry and dusty, give it a few more minutes.
Using the wrong pan size
A 9×13 baking dish is important here. A smaller dish can cause the filling to bubble over, and a larger one can dry the cake out too much.
Serving it immediately from the oven
It smells lovely right away, but a short resting time helps the texture settle and makes each serving more cohesive.
Expert Tips
Choose devil’s food cake mix for deeper flavor
If you want a more intense chocolate taste, devil’s food mix is especially good with cherries.
Slice the butter instead of melting it
Thin slices tend to distribute more evenly across the top. Melted butter can sometimes leave uneven areas if poured too quickly.
Add one subtle extra if you want
A small splash of almond extract over the cherries can make the flavor feel even more bakery-like. Keep it light so it does not overpower the dessert.
Serve with something cold
This cake is richest and most satisfying with contrast. Vanilla ice cream, lightly sweetened whipped cream, or even a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt can soften the sweetness.
Store it well
Cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds for that warm, cozy texture again.
Who Should Use This
This recipe is especially nice for beginner bakers, busy parents, students, and anyone who wants a dessert that feels homemade without a lot of measuring or technique. It is also a lovely option for church suppers, casual parties, family dinners, and last-minute holiday tables.
If you enjoy chocolate-covered cherries, this dessert will probably feel instantly familiar and comforting.
Best Time to Use This
This is a beautiful dessert for colder evenings, weekend dinners, and potluck tables when you need something dependable. It also works well during the holidays because it feels festive without being complicated.
There is something especially nice about serving it warm on a quiet evening, when you want dessert to feel soft, simple, and a little indulgent.
FAQ
1. Can I use fresh or frozen cherries instead of pie filling?
Yes, but the texture will change. Cherry pie filling gives the recipe its sweetness and thick consistency, so fresh or frozen cherries will need sugar and a thickener to work similarly.
2. What is the best cake mix for chocolate cherry dump cake?
Devil’s food cake mix is often the richest choice, but any chocolate cake mix works well in this recipe.
3. Why is my dump cake still powdery on top?
That usually means the butter did not cover enough of the dry cake mix. Next time, spread the butter slices more evenly across the surface.
4. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. You can bake it earlier in the day, cover it, and gently reheat before serving. It is especially good warm.
5. Can I add extra ingredients?
Yes. Chopped pecans, mini chocolate chips, or a tiny splash of almond extract can all work nicely, as long as the recipe stays simple.
Conclusion
This 3 ingredient chocolate cherry dump cake recipe is the kind of dessert that feels wonderfully easy and still deeply comforting. It brings together a few simple pantry staples and turns them into something warm, rich, and inviting, perfect for nights when you want a little sweetness without too much effort.
For another warm and comforting treat with very little effort, try this cinnamon roll mug cake.