This easy 3-ingredient cherry dump cake recipe needs just two cans of cherry pie filling, one box of dry yellow or white cake mix, and one cup of butter. Layer everything in a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish, do not stir, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45–50 minutes until the top is golden and the cherries bubble around the edges.
About 12 servings come from this warm, comforting dessert. The fruit stays juicy and tart-sweet while the butter transforms the dry cake mix into a rich, crumbly topping that tastes like a cross between cherry cobbler and buttery cake. Serve it after a 10–15 minute rest with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Jump to RecipeWhy You’ll Love This Recipe
This cherry dump cake is the kind of dessert that feels homemade without requiring a long ingredient list, mixer, or complicated technique. It is especially useful when you need a crowd-friendly sweet in a hurry because the preparation takes only about 5–10 minutes.
The finished texture is wonderfully varied. The cherry pie filling becomes hot, glossy, and spoonable, while the cake mix forms a buttery golden topping with crisp edges and softer crumbs underneath.
There is no need to make a separate batter or wash several mixing bowls. Everything is assembled directly in the baking dish, making this a practical choice for holidays, potlucks, weeknight treats, and last-minute guests.
If you enjoy simple, rich desserts made with only a few ingredients, you may also like these 3-ingredient cheesecake treats for another easy sweet option.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list is short, but each item has an important job in the recipe. Choose regular canned cherry pie filling, a standard 15.25-ounce box of yellow or white cake mix, and one full cup of butter.
- Cherry pie filling: Two 21-ounce cans provide the juicy fruit base and enough filling to cover the entire baking dish.
- Yellow or white cake mix: Use the mix dry and sprinkle it directly over the cherries. Do not add eggs, water, oil, or any other ingredients listed on the box.
- Butter: One cup, equal to two sticks, supplies the moisture and richness that turns the dry mix into a golden topping.
Salted or unsalted butter can work, depending on what you have available. For the most even result, slice chilled butter very thinly, or melt it and drizzle it slowly across the whole surface.
For a more traditional fruit-dessert comparison, take a look at our easy cherry cobbler, which offers another delicious way to enjoy the same classic cherry flavor.
How to Make It Step-by-Step
Step 1: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Greasing the dish helps with serving and makes it easier to scoop the soft cherry layer from the corners.
Step 2: Open both cans of cherry pie filling and spread them evenly over the bottom of the dish. Use the back of a spoon to guide the filling into the corners so the fruit layer has a consistent thickness.
Step 3: Sprinkle the dry yellow or white cake mix over the cherries in an even layer. Resist the urge to stir or press it into the fruit, because the separate layers create the characteristic dump-cake texture.
Step 4: Cover the cake mix with thin pieces of butter, distributing them as evenly as possible from edge to edge. Alternatively, melt the butter and drizzle it slowly over the surface, taking care to moisten as much of the dry mix as you can.
Step 5: Place the dish in the 350°F oven and bake for 45–50 minutes. The dessert is ready when the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is visibly bubbling around the edges.
Step 6: Remove the dish from the oven and let it stand for about 10–15 minutes. This short rest allows the hot filling to settle slightly while keeping the dessert warm enough for ice cream to melt over each serving.
Pro Tips for a Golden Topping
The most important rule is simple: do not stir the layers. Mixing the cherries, dry cake mix, and butter changes the structure and can make the topping heavier instead of giving you distinct fruit and buttery crumb layers.
Butter coverage matters because dry cake mix can remain powdery wherever it does not receive enough moisture. Thin slices are effective when they overlap slightly across the surface, while melted butter is convenient because it can be drizzled into small gaps.
Pouring melted butter in a slow zigzag pattern can help distribute it more evenly than pouring it in one spot. Still, do not worry if a few tiny dry areas remain; the bubbling fruit and surrounding butter will help soften the topping as it bakes.
Use a 9 x 13-inch dish for the stated quantities. A smaller dish may make the layers too thick and affect baking, while a much larger dish can create a thinner dessert that browns more quickly.
For another comforting main-dish recipe with a saucy finish, you can browse this cherry tomato pan sauce recipe. It is not a dessert, but it is a useful idea for cooks who enjoy bright, fruit-forward flavors in savory meals.
How to Serve Cherry Dump Cake
Let the cake cool just long enough to make serving easier, then spoon it into bowls while it is still warm. The contrast between hot cherry filling and cold vanilla ice cream is the classic pairing, and whipped cream is a lighter alternative.
A plain serving is already satisfying, but you can add a small dusting of powdered sugar or a few fresh cherries when available. Keep the garnish simple so the buttery topping and bright fruit remain the focus.
This dessert is soft enough to serve with a spoon rather than cutting perfect squares. If you want cleaner portions, allow it to rest longer before slicing, though it is most comforting when served warm.
Planning a casual gathering with several easy dishes? Our easy ravioli pizza makes a fun savory companion for a relaxed meal before dessert.
Storage and Reheating
Cover leftover cherry dump cake and refrigerate it after serving. The fruit filling keeps the topping moist over time, although the crust may soften slightly once chilled.
Reheat individual portions gently until warm, or warm a larger portion in an oven-safe dish. Add ice cream or whipped cream after reheating rather than before so the topping stays distinct and the dairy does not melt away during storage.
For the best texture, enjoy leftovers within a few days. Always let a refrigerated portion warm thoroughly before serving, especially when reheating a larger amount.
Common Questions
Can I use white cake mix? Yes. Yellow and white cake mixes both work with the two cans of cherry pie filling and one cup of butter.
Do I prepare the cake mix first? No. Use the cake mix dry and sprinkle it directly over the cherries. Adding the liquid ingredients from the box directions would change this recipe completely.
Why is my topping dry in places? The butter may not have reached every section of cake mix. Next time, use very thin butter slices spread across the full surface or drizzle melted butter carefully over the entire top.
Why should I let it rest? The 10–15 minute resting period allows the bubbling filling to settle and makes the dessert easier to serve while it remains pleasantly warm.
If you prefer a more traditional layered celebration dessert for a future occasion, our Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe is a rich option with a completely different style.
Easy 3-Ingredient Cherry Dump Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Spread both cans of cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the cherry layer. Do not prepare the cake mix according to the package directions.
- Cover the cake mix with thin, evenly distributed butter slices, or drizzle melted butter across the entire surface.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Let the dump cake stand for 10–15 minutes before serving warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Final Thoughts
This easy 3-ingredient cherry dump cake proves that a memorable dessert does not need a long shopping list or advanced baking skills. With two cans of cherry pie filling, one dry cake mix, and one cup of butter, you can create a bubbling, golden dessert in a 9 x 13-inch dish with very little preparation.
Remember the three keys to success: layer the ingredients without stirring, distribute the butter carefully, and bake until the topping is golden and the cherries bubble around the edges. After a 10–15 minute rest, serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a simple dessert everyone will want seconds of.
Keep this recipe ready for potlucks, family dinners, and busy evenings when you want something sweet without spending hours in the kitchen. Its bright cherry flavor, buttery topping, and easy cleanup make it a dependable dessert for nearly any occasion.