If you’re looking for a quick and delicious dessert with minimal effort, this Cherry Dump Cake is the perfect choice!
Made with simple pantry ingredients— pie filling, a boxed cake mix, and butter—this classic treat is as easy as it gets.
No mixing, no complicated steps—just dump, bake, and enjoy! The result? A golden, buttery cake topping with a sweet, gooey filling that’s downright irresistible.
Check out all the other Easy Desserts for even more delicious recipes.
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The first time I made a dump cake recipe, I was amazed at how easy and delicious it could be with just a few ingredients!
I made my Apple Dump Cake recipe and served it warm from the oven to a group of church volunteers who had just finished a Fall cleanup. They absolutely loved it, especially when it was served with vanilla ice cream!
I guarantee this recipe is foolproof and a crowd-pleaser!
Looking for more Dump Cakes and Cake Mix Hacks? Try my Blueberry Lemon Dump Cake, and even my Air Fryer Peach Dump Cake. Yum!
Table of Contents
- Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Kitchen Tool Spotlight
- My Kitchen Tools Essentials
- Recipe Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Money-Saving Tip
- Baking Instructions
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- Recipe FAQ's
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Food Safety Tips:
- 💬 Comments
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Effortless Preparation – Just layer the ingredients, bake, and serve.
Minimal Ingredients – Uses pantry staples, no complicated steps.
Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for weeknights, potlucks, and family gatherings.
Customizable – Don't like cherry pie filling? Use blueberry or apple!
Crowd-Pleasing – A reliable favorite that even picky eaters enjoy.
Check out my list...
My Kitchen Tools Essentials
Tools that will make your time easier and faster in the kitchen!
Recipe Ingredients
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions and Variations
Cake mix: If you don't have access to a lemon cake mix, you can substitute a white, yellow or a vanilla cake mix.
Pie Filling: Try blueberry, apple, or peach pie filling.
Add Nuts or Coconut – Sprinkle chopped pecans or shredded coconut for extra texture.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Mix the brown sugar and vanilla extract into the cherry pie filling.
Step 2: Grease a baking dish with cooking spray and fill with the cherry pie filling.
Step 3: Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over the cherry pie filling. Do not stir.
Step 4: Pour the melted butter and agave syrup evenly over the cake mix.
Money-Saving Tip
Buy store-brand cake mix and pie filling to cut costs. Many generic brands offer the same great taste at a lower price. You can also stock up on cake mix when it’s on sale to have it ready for easy desserts.
Baking Instructions
Step 5: Bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes until the cake is golden brown and bubbly.
LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
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If you made it, leaving a star rating or quick review is always appreciated and helps other readers too.
Want to save this printed recipe? The Ultimate Meal Planner & Recipe Binder helps you keep recipes organized in one easy place.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
The biggest mistake when making a dump cake is not evenly distributing the dry cake mix, which can leave powdery, uncooked spots. To prevent this, spread the mix evenly and drizzle melted butter over the top for better coverage.
Yes, you can use frozen fruit in a dump cake! Just add it directly to the baking dish—there’s no need to thaw, but you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Refrigerate: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Wrap tightly with aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw and Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or use the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes to maintain crispness.
More Recipes You'll Love!
Check out my other recipe for Cinnamon Toast Crunch Peach Dump Cake. Or you might like this recipe for Red Velvet Dump Cake.
📖 Recipe Card
Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 21 ounces cherry pie filling (or 4 cups of homemade pie filling)
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow or white cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons agave syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- whipped cream
- vanilla ice cream
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Combine the cherry pie filling, vanilla extract, and brown sugar.
- Spread the cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the cherry filling. Do not stir; let it sit on top.
- Pour the melted butter and agave syrup evenly over the top of the cake mix. Make sure to cover as much of the cake mix as possible for even baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and bubbly. The edges may be slightly crisp, which is perfect!
- Let the dump cake cool for a few minutes. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Food Safety Tips:
- Bake goods to their recommended internal temperature, typically 165°F (74°C) or higher for safety.
- Use separate utensils and surfaces for raw ingredients, especially eggs, to prevent cross-contamination.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw dough or eggs.
- Avoid leaving baked goods or raw dough at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave the oven unattended while baking.
- Choose oils with a high smoking point to minimize the release of harmful compounds.
- Ensure good ventilation when using a gas stove when using an oven or gas stove to maintain a safe cooking environment.
terry says
Thanks for reminding us how good and EASY this is.
Lois says
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Isn’t it amazing how something so simple can taste so delicious? 😊
Kerryanne says
Thank you for sharing your cherry dump cake recipe at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week, Lois. I'm featuring your recipe at today's party and pinning too.
Beverly says
Your cake looks amazing. Congratulations, you are being featured on Thursday Favorite
Things.
Hugs,
Bev
Estelle Forrest says
Thank you so much for sharing this cherry recipe at SSPS. I hope you will stop by again next week, I will be featuring your post!
Natasha Mairs says
Oh yes please!! this looks so tasty!