If you love black forest cake, this Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake will be your new favorite sweet treat. It's an incredibly easy shortcut dessert that saves you time on prepping and measuring, but still tastes homemade. If you enjoy rich chocolate and cherry pie, this is a must-try recipe.
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Whenever I have a chocolate craving, this cherry chocolate dump cake is at the top of my list. It's made with only a couple of ingredients, but it's just so delicious. The cake is moist and fudgy, and it perfectly complements the tart flavor you get from the cherries. I make this dump cake almost weekly now!
If you're looking for another easy dump cake recipe, you should try this rhubarb dump cake. Our fruit cocktail dump cake is quite nice as well. Our Pecan Pie Dump Cake is one for the record books. You just have to try it.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's only 4 ingredients: You need just 4 ingredients for this chocolate and cherry dump cake. It's really that simple!
- Prep is super fast: It takes just a few minutes to layer the ingredients in the baking dish. Then, all you have to do is pop it into the oven.
- It's budget-friendly: The components of this easy chocolate cherry cake are cheap, making this a lovely dessert on a tight budget.
Ingredients
Here is everything you need to make this yummy chocolate cake with cherries. It's just a few simple ingredients that you can find in the baking aisle at the grocery store.
- Cherry pie filling: You may use any brand of canned cherry pie filling that you want. Ensure it is 21 oz so that the ratios for the dessert are correct.
- Chocolate cake mix: Any brand and variety of chocolate cake works here. I like chocolate fudge or Devil's Food with the cherry flavor.
- Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips provide the best balance. If you want a sweeter taste, use milk chocolate. Dark chocolate will be a little more bitter if you prefer that instead.
- Butter: I use sticks of salted butter to contrast the sweetness, but unsalted butter is also fine. Since you're slicing it, you can use it straight from the refrigerator.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Yellow cake: Try this recipe with your favorite yellow cake mix for a buttery version.
- Use white chocolate chips: Swap the semi-sweet chocolate for white chocolate chips for even more richness.
- Add nuts and coconut: Top the dessert with chopped nuts like walnuts and shredded coconut before you add the butter for texture.
How to Make Chocolate Cherry Cake
Below are the steps you'll need to prepare this chocolate cherry cake recipe. Preheat your oven to 350°F before you begin.
Step 1: Add pie filling and cake mix. Pour your cherry pie filling into the baking dish and ensure it's spread evenly. Then, sprinkle the cake mix on top and cover the filling.
Step 2: Top with chocolate and butter. Next, add chocolate chips on top. Slice the butter and arrange it to cover the entire cake.
Step 3: Bake it. Pop the cake into the oven and bake it for about 40-50 minutes.
Step 4: Serve. Scoop and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Use a large enough pan: Ensure the pan you use is a 9x13. Anything smaller will not bake correctly.
- Don't overbake it: It's fine if the middle is not completely firm. It will still be soft because of the pie filling. Overbaking the chocolate cherry dessert will make it dry.
- Resist the urge to stir it: Keep the ingredients as distinct layers before you put it in the oven. Stirring it will mess with the result!
If you're a fan of chocolate cherry dessert recipes, these cherry chocolate blossom cookies are delicious!
This post wouldn't be complete if I didn't mention one of our latest and greatest creations. It's our lemon cream cheese dump cake and it is so good that it'll knock your socks off. One bite and you'll be a lover for life. Trust me when I say that!
Storage Directions
- Storing: Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for 3 days. You may freeze it for up to 1 month, but the texture will be different when it thaws.
- Make ahead: Prepare your chocolate cherry cake a few hours before you plan to bake and stick it in the refrigerator, covered in plastic wrap. Sometimes I like to do this while I'm cooking dinner, so it can bake while we eat and then be ready for dessert!
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream with your warm serving of dump cake. Try some homemade flavors like red velvet ice cream and dark chocolate ice cream.
- Drizzle some pineapple syrup on top to complement the cherries.
- Topping your chocolate dump cake with a handful of candied walnuts adds sweetness and crunch to your dessert.
Recipe FAQs
Sure! Layer it the same in your slow cooker and cook it on high for about 2 hours.
Of course. I add them for extra pops of chocolate, but they're optional, so feel free to leave them out.
I recommend allowing the cake to set for 10-15 minutes when it comes out of the oven. This will prevent the pie filling from becoming runny and making a mess.
More Delicious Cherry Recipes
Do you like cherry recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cans (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- 1 box (13.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup salted butter or 1 ½ sticks
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- To a 9x13 baking dish, add the cherry pie filling.
- Top the filling with the cake mix.
- Add the chocolate chips to the top.
- Top with the sliced butter.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few crumbs on it.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately, or allow it to cool.
Video
Notes
- Store leftover chocolate cherry cake in an airtight container for up to 2 days on the counter or 5 days in the fridge.
- Avoid overbaking this dessert as it can become very dry. It will still feel underbaked because of the pie filling, but this is normal.
- Try making the dump cake in the slow cooker instead!
Helen H says
What an easy recipe this was to make and so yummy everyone in my house loves it. My kids dont usually like cherries but they wanted seconds. It’s great and again almost too easy. You guys are the best at recipes. Thx
Karin and Ken says
I love how easy this cake is and it tastes so good! Thanks for letting me know. You just made my day. All the best. Karin