Cherry Dump Cake

🍒✨ Cherry Dump Cake — The Easiest Dessert You’ll Ever Love

Two cans of cherries, one box of cake mix, and a whole lot of buttery magic — this Cherry Dump Cake is the dessert that proves simple really is sweet!

 

 

There are desserts that require hours of prep, multiple mixing bowls, and a prayer to the baking gods that everything rises correctly. And then there are desserts like Cherry Dump Cake — the kind that makes you feel like a kitchen genius with almost zero effort. It’s the ultimate “dump, bake, and devour” recipe.

This cake is:

• Ridiculously easy — no mixer, no fuss, no stress.
• Crowd‑pleasing — cherries + buttery cake topping = instant hit.
• Customizable — swap fillings, add toppings, make it your own.
• Budget‑friendly — pantry staples do the heavy lifting.
• Perfect for any occasion — potlucks, holidays, or just a Tuesday night treat.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you a “from scratch” baker, or do you love a good shortcut recipe that tastes homemade?

Sometimes easy is a much better option! There are days that I want to add a dessert to my dinner plan but I haven’t planned or don’t have enough time to make it.

I don’t know what it is but when I use the skillet it feels like home! lol! It’s a one pan wonder that makes everyone happy!

 

 

Cherry Dump Cake

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Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 21-oz. cans cherry pie filling
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3/4 c. butter, divided
• 1 15.25-oz. box yellow cake mix

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Add the cherry pie filling, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to a 12-inch skillet coated with cooking spray; stir to combine.
2. Grate the butter.. This combines better than cubing the butter. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the shredded butter over the cherry filling. Pour the dry cake mix over the cherry mixture, patting into an even layer using your hands or a spoon. Scatter the remaining butter evenly over the top of the cake mix.
3. Bake on the middle rack of the oven until the top of the cake is golden brown and the cherry mixture is bubbly, about 50 minutes.

Notes

Serve immediately! Top with whip cream or your favorite ice cream!

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Serving, Serves 12)

• Calories: ~310
• Protein: 2g
• Carbs: 48g
• Fat: 13g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 32g

💡 Note: Basically dessert math that says, “Yes, ice cream on top is still allowed.”

🥕 Nutritional Facts & Fun

• Cherries: Antioxidants + natural sweetness.
• Cake Mix: Convenience + nostalgia.
• Butter: Flavor + golden crisp topping.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice + depth.
• Vanilla: Sweet aroma + balance.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you like your dump cake plain, or do you always add a scoop of ice cream?

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips

• Butter Coverage: Slice butter thin so it melts evenly across the cake mix.
• Extra Crispy Top: Melt butter and drizzle instead of slicing.
• Pan Choice: A glass dish gives you a gooier bottom, metal pans crisp it up.
• Serving Suggestion: Best warm, but also delicious chilled.
• Make Ahead: Bake, cool, and refrigerate — reheat before serving.

🔄 Recipe Variations

• Berry Mix: Swap cherries for blueberry or raspberry pie filling.
• Tropical Twist: Use pineapple chunks + coconut flakes.
• Chocolate Lovers: Add chocolate chips under the cake mix.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or almonds on top.
• Holiday Vibes: Add cranberries and orange zest.

💬 Reader prompt: Which version would you try first — berry, chocolate, or tropical?

🧒 Kid Tips

• Let kids sprinkle the cake mix (they’ll feel like bakers).
• Serve with sprinkles on top for extra fun.
• Make mini versions in ramekins for kid‑sized portions.
• Call it “magic cherry cake” to make it sound exciting.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Cake Mix: Stock up when on sale — endless dump cake possibilities.
• Pie Filling: Keep a few cans in the pantry for last‑minute desserts.
• Butter: Freeze sticks to always have some on hand.
• Vanilla: Buy pure extract in bulk — it lasts forever.
• Cinnamon: Store in airtight jars to keep fresh.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you keep cake mix in your pantry for emergencies, or only buy it when you need it?

🎯 Reader Challenge

This week, I challenge you to make Cherry Dump Cake and add your own twist. Maybe it’s chocolate chips, maybe it’s nuts, maybe it’s a drizzle of caramel. Post your creation with #LouLouGirlsDumpCakeMagic so we can all drool together.

🥪 Leftover Remix

• Dump Cake Parfait: Layer with yogurt and granola.
• Dump Cake Sundae: Warm slices topped with ice cream and caramel.
• Dump Cake Milkshake: Blend with milk and vanilla ice cream.
• Dump Cake Trifle: Layer with pudding and whipped cream.
• Dump Cake French Toast: Dip slices in egg mixture and pan‑fry.

💬 Reader prompt: Would you rather turn leftovers into a sundae or a milkshake?

💭 Final Thoughts

This Cherry Dump Cake is proof that simple ingredients can create something magical. It’s gooey, buttery, and versatile enough to be a weeknight treat or a holiday showstopper. Plus, it’s the kind of recipe that makes everyone smile — and isn’t that the best kind of baking?

Here’s the thing about dump cakes — they’re never just desserts. They’re the smell of cherries bubbling in the oven, the joy of sprinkling cake mix like fairy dust, the comfort of knowing dessert is going to be a hit.

And this Cherry Dump Cake? It’s a keeper. It’s gooey, it’s golden, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and simple. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like you’ve unlocked the secret to stress‑free baking.

But what I love most is how recipes like this bring us together. Food has that magic — it’s not just about eating, it’s about sharing. It’s about swapping tips, laughing over buttery fingers, and building little traditions that make life sweeter.

So here’s my challenge to you: make this cake, share it with your people, and then tell me your twist. Did you add chocolate? Did you sneak in nuts? Did you double the cherries just because you could? (No judgment — I’d be first in line for that version.)

💬 Reader prompt: Should we do a “Dump Cake Series” next? I’m dreaming up peach dump cake, pumpkin dump cake, and maybe even a s’mores dump cake.

Until then, may your cherries be juicy, your cake golden, your butter plentiful, and your kitchen filled with laughter, love, and second helpings. Because at the end of the day, recipes like this aren’t just about baking — they’re about celebrating the little joys that make life delicious.

Did you try our Cherry Dump Cake recipe? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram!

 

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