Easy Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

Chocolate and cherries come together beautifully in this easy dump cake that tastes rich comforting and surprisingly indulgent for how simple it is to make. Everything goes into one baking dish without any mixing bowls so you just layer the ingredients and bake. The cherries turn soft and jam like while the chocolate cake becomes tender with melted chocolate throughout. It is perfect for busy days gatherings or anytime you want a quick dessert that feels special. Serve it warm or chilled with ice cream or whipped cream and it will always be a crowd pleasing favorite.

Ingredients Needed

Below is the complete list of ingredients you will need for this chocolate cherry dump cake. Exact measurements are included so you can follow the recipe with confidence.

For the cake

• 2 cans cherry pie filling
• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

These ingredients blend together to create a warm and rich dessert that is full of flavor and soft, gooey texture.

Step by Step Cooking Instructions

Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This quick step keeps the cake from sticking and makes serving much easier.

Add the Cherry Filling

Pour the cherry pie filling into the baking dish and spread it evenly. Stir in the vanilla extract for extra flavor.

Add the Dry Cake Mix

Sprinkle the chocolate cake mix evenly over the cherries without mixing. Cover the entire surface so it bakes into a soft and even cake topping.

Add the Butter

Pour the melted butter evenly over the dry cake mix, covering as much as you can. The butter creates a tender and slightly crisp topping, and any small dry spots will still bake well from the moisture of the cherries.

Add the Chocolate Chips

Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top. They melt into the cake as it bakes and add extra richness, creating a warm and comforting mix of cherries and chocolate.

Bake the Cake

Bake for forty to forty five minutes until the top is lightly crisp and the edges are bubbling. The chocolate chips will melt into the cake, giving every bite a smooth and rich chocolate flavor.

Cool and Serve

Remove the cake from the oven and let it rest for ten to fifteen minutes. This helps the layers settle and makes it easier to scoop. Serve it warm for a gooey texture or let it cool for cleaner slices.

Tips for Customizing the Recipe

This chocolate cherry dump cake is very easy to customize. For a richer flavor, add dark chocolate chips or drizzle warm chocolate syrup after baking. For a sweeter twist, use white chocolate chips. You can also sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top for crunch or swap vanilla with almond extract to enhance the cherry flavor. Try different fruity fillings like strawberry or mixed berry for variety. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for a decadent finish or use dark chocolate and fewer chips if you prefer a less sweet dessert.

Nutritional Information

One serving of this dump cake, when divided into twelve portions, contains about three hundred fifty to four hundred calories. Each serving provides roughly fifteen to eighteen grams of fat, around fifty grams of carbohydrates, and three to four grams of protein, with a little fiber from the cherries. It is a rich and indulgent dessert, so enjoy it in moderation. For a lighter option, you can reduce the chocolate chips or use less butter, keeping in mind that the texture may change slightly.

Serving Suggestions

This chocolate cherry dump cake can be served in many simple and delicious ways. Enjoy it warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, or make it richer with a drizzle of chocolate fudge or caramel. For gatherings, serve it straight from the baking dish for a cozy homemade feel, or let it cool and cut it into neat squares. It also tastes great chilled since the flavors deepen and the texture firms up. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to four days and reheat it easily whenever you want a warm and comforting dessert.

Frequently Asked Questions