How To Make An Easy Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake

If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, look no further! I’m going to show you how to make an easy chocolate cherry dump cake that will knock your socks off!

The name “dump cake” comes from the simplicity of the recipe—all the ingredients are literally dumped into a baking dish (no stirring or mixing required) and baked to create a decadent, moist dessert that’s super rich in flavor and has the ability to make your eyes roll in the back of your head! It’s the perfect balance of tart cherries & gooey chocolate that’s a chocolate lover’s dream!

This recipe is sure to become a household favorite because it’s delicious, it takes very few ingredients and it’s perfect for just about any occasion. Oh!! And did I mention it was super easy? So, if you’re ready, let’s make this awesome dessert!

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How To Make An Easy Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake

Let’s Make It!

To get started, all you need are 3 basic ingredients:

• 1 chocolate cake mix (any brand will do.)
• 2 21 ounce cans of cherry pie filling
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) of butter

Other ingredients you can add, but are totally optional:

• 1/2 – 1 cup chocolate chips (makes it even richer)
• 1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts (adds a nice, little crunch)
• 1 tsp. almond extract (added to the cherries for an enhanced, amazing flavor.)

preheat the oven & prepare your baking dish

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. You’ll then spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray or butter your dish.

dump the cherry pie filling

If you decide you’d like to add a little almond extract to the cherries, now’s the time to do it. Mix it in with the cherries while they’re still in the can, and then dump the can into the greased baking dish.

sprinkle the cake mix

You’ll then sprinkle the cake mix evenly over the cherries (do NOT mix!) Just spread the dry cake mix directly on top. This might seem unusual, but trust the process. The magic happens as it bakes!

If you’re a chocolate lover, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the dry cake mix. For extra texture and flavor, you can also sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the cake mix, as well. Both options are optional but if you want to take the cake up a notch, I highly recommend doing at least one, if not both! 🙂

Drizzle the Butter

Melt your stick of butter and drizzle it evenly over the dry cake mix. The butter will soak into the cake mix as it bakes, creating a delicious, crumbly topping.

Bake

Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly around the edges. Keep an eye on the cake during the last 10 minutes to avoid burning the topping. Also, make sure to not over-cook.

cool, serve & enjoy!!

Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for about 10–15 minutes. This will allow the filling to set a bit and make it easier to serve. You can serve the cake warm or at room temperature.

This cake is a fantastic addition to any holiday menu as well as birthdays or just about any occasion. Sometimes, it’s also referred to as a Black Forest dump cake. But…no matter what it’s called, we call it DE-LICIOUS!

Some tips for serving:

• Top with Whipped Cream: Add a dollop of whipped cream to each serving for an airy, light contrast to the richness of the cake.
• Add a Scoop of Ice Cream: Vanilla ice cream complements the rich chocolate and tart cherries perfectly.
• Garnish with Fresh Cherries: For a pop of color and flavor, garnish each serving with fresh cherries.
• Store in the refrigerator, covered for 3-4 days

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If you make or have already made this easy chocolate cherry dump cake, leave me a comment and let me know how you liked it!

Other posts you may be interested in:

Easy Peach Dump Cake Recipe Taste as good as old fashioned peach cobbler only much easier to make!

How To Make Easy No Bake Banana Pudding Recipe This recipe is one of my all time favorites and it’s always a crowd pleaser.

Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake If you love the taste of ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls, then you’ll love this one!