This Cherry Dump Cake is as delicious as it is easy to make. It’s made with cherry pie filling, cream cheese, and a box of yellow cake mix to make it even easier!
Rich, comforting, and delicious with a scoop of ice cream, this is a great recipe to have in your back pocket for last-minute cobbler or cheesecake cravings wrapped into one easy dessert.
One Of My Favorite Dump Cakes
You know how some combinations just marry well? I think this cherry dump cake is that match. I’m not sure if I should call it a cobbler or a cheesecake. Actually, it’s combined into one quick-to-make dessert that I can serve at home or easily take to our church potluck.
The humble dump cake has become a household standby for a reason! It’s incredibly easy to make—as the name suggests, you just dump a bunch of ingredients into a cake pan and bake. There’s no need to follow a lot of specific rules or worry about perfectly executing complicated techniques—just dump, bake, and serve!
This Cherry Dump Cake is almost like a cobbler, except you use cake instead of biscuits to top off the juicy fruit filling. It’s perfect for cookouts and family parties—or when you have hungry grandkids looking for a sweet treat before bed! (yes, I am that Gigi!)
If you have a sweet tooth craving, be sure to check out my other really easy dessert ideas, like dreamy Strawberry Angel Food Cake and No Bake Cherry Delight Recipe With Pie Filling.
Ingredients For Cherry Dump Cake
Sometimes you just need something easy. Made with boxed cake mix, canned pie filling, and pantry staples, this dump cake is basically already made for you!
- Cherry Pie Filling: Two cans of your favorite cherry pie filling make the base of this cherry dump cake. Feel free to make your own if you prefer!
- Cream Cheese: Adds a rich and creamy layer between the fruit and the cake.
- Egg: Let your egg come to room temperature before adding to other ingredients.
- Sugar: A little sweetness never hurts.
- Ground Cinnamon: It adds a hint of warm spice that brings out the flavor of the cherries.
- Cake Mix: How easy is it, to use a box of cake mix, right? I used yellow cake mix, but you can use white cake mix if you prefer.
- Butter: Cold pats of butter are layered on top of the cake mix to add color and a rich, buttery flavor.
📝 Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Easy Cherry Dump Cake
As easy as opening up some cans, boxes and baking. Does it get any better than this?
Time To Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or grease it with butter.
- Spread the cherry pie filling evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Whip Cream Cheese
- Add softened cream cheese, room-temperature egg, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon to a medium bowl.
Mix Well
- Use a hand mixer to combine until smooth and creamy.
Layer Cream Cheese
- Drizzle spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the cherry pie filling. Try to cover the cherry filling as much as possible—you can use a rubber spatula to help spread it.
Add Cake Mix
- Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over the cherries and cream cheese.
Butter and Bake
- Use a box grater to grate the cold butter and spread evenly over the dry cake mix.
- Bake for about 40 minutes or until the topping is brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.
- If you notice any dry spots on the cake mix during the last few minutes of baking, add more grated butter!
Gina’s Tips For Recipe Sucess
- Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the mixture.
- Make sure the butter is very cold before grating. This will make it easier to handle, allow the butter to melt in the oven, and give the cake its beautiful golden brown color.
Change Up Your Dump Cake Flavors
Switch up the fruit! You can use different types of canned pie filling. I like strawberry, apple, or blueberry pie filling as the base instead of cherry.
Serving Suggestions
Turn this into dump a la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Add crushed nuts for a little extra crunch and texture.
Serve individual portions in trifle glasses for an elevated presentation of a down-to-earth treat.
I really don’t have to mix this together?
Nope! That’s the beauty of the dump cake. Just pour everything into a pan and go. It really is that simple. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make this all the time.
What’s the texture like?
The end product will be more like a cobbler, fruit pie and a cheesecake got married. Dump cake is gooey on the bottom with a deliciously soft creamy cake topping that soaks up all the juices.
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, dump cake should be wrapped tightly with plastic wrap, or covered with aluminum foil, or stored in an airtight container. It will remain fresh for several days in your refrigerator.
I like to reheat individual pieces in the microwave before serving the leftovers.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
Do you have a question?
Do you have a question about this recipe❓ I will answer in the comment form below👇🏼 the recipe card. Did you make this recipe? If so, could you be a gem and leave a comment and rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below? This helps others find yummy 😋 recipes to make for their family and friends.
Effortless Cherry Dump Cake
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cans cherry pie filling, 15.75-ounce cans
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 egg, large, at room temperature
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup butter, very cold
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or grease it with butter.
- Spread the cherry pie filling evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.2 cans cherry pie filling
- In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to combine the softened cream cheese, room-temperature egg, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy.8 ounces cream cheese, 1 egg, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Drizzle spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the cherry pie filling. Try to cover the cherry filling as much as possible with the cream cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle the yellow cake mix evenly over the top of the cherries and cream cheese mixture.1 box yellow cake mix
- Use a box grater to grate the cold butter.½ cup butter
- Spread the grated butter evenly over the entire top of the dry cake mix, covering as much of the cake mix as possible.
- Bake the dump cake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the topping is browned and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.
- If you notice any dry spots on the cake mix during the last few minutes of baking, add additional grated butter to those areas.
- Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for about 15 minutes before serving. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.