Easy Cherry Dump Cake with Pie Filling and Yellow Cake Mix

This easy cherry dump cake is the kind of dessert you'll make again and again, because it tastes like homemade cherry cobbler with almost none of the work. Sweet cherry pie filling gets a hint of almond and vanilla, then bakes under a buttery, golden yellow cake mix topping. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream or let it cool to room temperature, and either way it's a crowd-pleasing cherry dessert for holidays, potlucks, and busy weeknights. Once you try this cherry dump cake recipe with a splash of almond extract, the plain version will never taste quite the same.

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Why this is the best Easy Cherry Dump Cake with Pie Filling and Yellow Cake Mix recipe

It's incredibly easy to make. This cherry dump cake uses simple ingredients like canned cherry pie filling, yellow cake mix, and butter. There's no complicated preparation, no special baking skills required, and no need to mix up a traditional cake batter.

This is not a 3-ingredient cherry dump cake. Technically, you can make a cherry dump cake with cherry pie filling, dry cake mix, and melted butter, and it will be okay. But if you follow my recipe with its 3 extra ingredients, your dump cake will be amazing with only one extra step in the recipe.

It's quick to prepare. You can have this easy cherry dump cake ready for the oven in just a few minutes. Simply layer the ingredients in a baking dish and let the oven do the rest, making it a great dessert when you don't have much time.

Cherry dump cake has an amazing texture. The cherry pie filling becomes warm, thick, and gooey underneath a golden, buttery cake topping. The combination of juicy cherries and slightly crisp edges makes every spoonful taste like a cross between cherry cobbler and homemade cake.

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It's great for parties and family gatherings. This cherry dump cake is easy to make in a large baking dish, so there's plenty to share. It's a wonderful dessert for potlucks, holiday dinners, summer cookouts, or a simple treat after Sunday dinner. Kids and adults alike will love it.

Cherry dump cake is delicious served warm or cold. A scoop of vanilla ice cream melts right into the warm cherry filling and buttery cake topping. You can also serve it with whipped cream or enjoy it straight from the refrigerator the next day.

What you'll need to make the best Cherry Dump Cake

Equipment

• Deep 9x13 pan

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See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and nutritional information.

Ingredients

• Cherry pie filling - Look for the premium "more cherries" cans for best results.
• Almond extract - Almond is the perfect complement to cherries. You won't taste the almond flavor, but the cherry flavor will be brighter and more potent if you use it.
• Vanilla bean paste - I prefer vanilla bean paste to vanilla extract because the paste has a much stronger and richer vanilla flavor. Vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol and then removing the beans. Vanilla bean paste is made by mixing crushed vanilla beans into concentrated vanilla extract. You can use them interchangeably in equal amounts.
• Yellow cake mix - Do not mix the batter. You're going to crumble the dry cake mix over top of the cherry filling just before baking.
• Butter - This will be melted and poured over the dry cake mix.
• Whole milk

How to make easy Cherry Dump Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9x13 pan with butter.
2. Combine cherry pie filling with almond extract and vanilla bean paste
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   and pour into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to smooth it out.
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3. Sprinkle cake mix on top so that the cherries are completely covered.
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   Mix the butter and milk, and drizzle over the top. Do not stir.
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4. Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.
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Can cherry dump cake be made ahead?

Yes! Bake it a day ahead, cool completely, and cover. Serve at room temperature or rewarm before adding ice cream.

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Substitutions & variations

You can use white cake mix or French vanilla cake mix instead of yellow cake mix. White cake mix gives the dessert a slightly lighter flavor, while French vanilla adds a little extra richness. Butter cake mix is another good option if you want a more buttery topping.

If you want to change the fruit, try canned blueberry, strawberry, peach, or apple pie filling instead of cherry. You can also use frozen berries for a mixed berry dump cake. You can also use fresh apples or canned peaches for the dump cake filling. You can add pineapple to the cherry layer for a delicious cherry pineapple dump cake. Just keep the total amount of filling approximately the same so the cake bakes properly.

For a chocolate cherry dump cake, replace the yellow cake mix with chocolate cake mix. Chocolate and cherries taste wonderful together, and the finished dessert has a rich, brownie-like flavor with a gooey fruit filling underneath.

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If you like a little crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds over the cake mix before baking. The nuts toast in the oven and add a nice contrast to the soft cherry filling and buttery topping.

Serve your cherry dump cake warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. For a more decadent dessert, add a few chocolate chips over the cherry filling before sprinkling on the cake mix.

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Storing leftover cherry dump cake

Cover fully cooled dump cake (to prevent condensation which will make your crust soggy) and keep at room temperature for up to 2 days.

For longer storage, cover and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. The topping softens a little as it sits, but the cherry flavor holds up well.

Warm individual servings in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, or cover the pan with foil and rewarm in a 350°F oven until heated through.

To keep longer, store your dump cake in the freezer. Fully cool the cake to room temperature. Wrap individual portions tightly in foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

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