Making Cherry Dump Cake couldn’t be easier! Just follow these steps:
- Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your dump cake bakes evenly.
- Prepare the Cherry Filling: Open both cans of cherry pie filling and pour them into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread the cherries out evenly with a spatula.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Drizzle the vanilla extract over the cherry filling. It will infuse the cherries with a subtle but delicious flavor.
- Add the Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the cherry filling. Don’t stir it—just dump it evenly over the top. The dry cake mix will create a crumbly topping once baked.
- Top with Butter: Cut the butter into small cubes and scatter them evenly over the top of the cake mix. This will help the topping become golden brown and crispy as it bakes.
- Bake the Cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the dump cake to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This dessert is great on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top!
Serving and Storage
Cherry Dump Cake is the perfect dessert to serve at gatherings, parties, or as a comforting treat at home. Here’s how to serve and store it:
- Serving: Serve this dump cake warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence. It’s a great dessert after a hearty meal or as a sweet treat during a holiday gathering.
- Storage: Leftover dump cake can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to enjoy it warm again. Avoid freezing the dump cake, as it may alter the texture of the topping.
Tips
Here are some helpful tips to ensure your Cherry Dump Cake turns out perfectly every time:
- Grease the Pan Well: Be sure to grease your baking dish well before adding the cherry filling. This will prevent the cake from sticking and make it easier to serve.
- Don’t Mix the Cake Mix: One of the easiest parts of making a dump cake is that you don’t need to mix the cake mix with anything. Simply sprinkle the dry mix over the cherry filling and let it bake into a golden topping.
- Use Unsalted Butter: It’s best to use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt in your dish. This way, you can ensure the flavor remains sweet and rich.
- Try Other Fruit Fillings: Cherry pie filling is a classic choice, but you can experiment with other fruit fillings like apple, peach, blueberry, or mixed berry. Each variation will give you a new and delicious flavor!
Variations
While the classic Cherry Dump Cake is fantastic on its own, here are some variations you can try to mix things up:
- Peach Dump Cake: Replace the cherry pie filling with canned peach pie filling. The sweet, juicy peaches pair wonderfully with the yellow cake mix and butter topping.
- Almond Cherry Dump Cake: Add a teaspoon of almond extract to the cherry filling before baking for a deliciously nutty twist that complements the cherries beautifully.
- Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake: Sprinkle some mini chocolate chips over the cake mix before baking to create a chocolatey, decadent twist on the traditional cherry dump cake.
- Gluten-Free Dump Cake: To make a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free yellow cake mix. Be sure to check the ingredients in the pie filling to ensure they’re gluten-free as well.
Conclusion
Cherry Dump Cake is the perfect dessert when you’re craving something simple, delicious, and easy to make. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a dessert that tastes like it took hours to prepare. The combination of sweet cherry filling and a buttery, crumbly topping makes it a crowd-pleaser every time. Whether you serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream or enjoy it on its own, Cherry Dump Cake will become a go-to dessert for any occasion. So grab your ingredients and get baking—you’re only a few steps away from a dessert that everyone will love!
FAQ
Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?
While canned cherry pie filling is typically used for its sweetness and consistency, you can use fresh cherries by cooking them with sugar and cornstarch to create a homemade cherry filling. Just be sure to cook the mixture until it thickens.
Can I make Cherry Dump Cake in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the dump cake ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it. If you’re prepping in advance, make sure to store it tightly covered in the fridge. When ready to bake, simply add 5-10 minutes to the baking time to account for the chill.
Can I freeze Cherry Dump Cake?
While you can freeze the unbaked dump cake, it’s best to bake it fresh for the best texture. If you do choose to freeze it, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil before storing. When ready to bake, don’t thaw—just bake it straight from the freezer, adding a bit of extra time in the oven.
Can I use a different type of cake mix?
Yes, you can try other cake mixes such as white, butter, or even spice cake mix for a different flavor. Each will create a slightly different topping, but all will pair wonderfully with the cherry filling!