Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Cherry Dump Cake: The Easiest Recipe You’ll Ever Make


  • Total Time: 65 minutes
  • Yield: 12-15 servings 1x

Description

Simple, delicious dessert with cherry pie filling, sweetened condensed milk, and a buttery cake topping. Perfect for a quick treat!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (21 ounce) cans cherry pie filling
  • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (15 ounce) package yellow cake mix
  • ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Spread cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the dish.
  3. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cherry pie filling.
  4. Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the cherry and sweetened condensed milk mixture. Break up any clumps.
  5. Distribute the cold, cubed butter evenly over the dry cake mix.
  6. If using, sprinkle the chopped pecans or walnuts evenly over the butter.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly.
  8. Let the cake cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  9. Serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
  10. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • Variations: Use different pie fillings (apple, blueberry, peach), add spices (cinnamon, nutmeg), use a different cake mix (white, chocolate, spice), make it gluten-free with gluten-free cake mix, add a streusel topping, make it in a slow cooker, adjust sweetness, enhance the cherry flavor with almond extract, make individual servings in ramekins.
  • Tips: Don’t overbake.
  • Troubleshooting:
    Cake is too dry: Use enough cold butter, add milk or cream to the cake mix.
    Cake is too soggy: Don’t use too much pie filling, bake longer.
    Topping is not crumbly: Use cold butter, don’t overmix.
    Filling is too runny: Let cool completely, add cornstarch to filling.
    Cake is sticking: Grease the pan thoroughly, use parchment paper.
  • Ingredient Notes:
    Cherry Pie Filling: Use high-quality filling with real cherries.
    Sweetened Condensed Milk: Use sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk.
    Yellow Cake Mix: Classic yellow cake mix works best.
    Unsalted Butter: Use cold unsalted butter.
    Pecans or Walnuts: Optional, add crunch and nutty flavor.
    Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: Optional toppings.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45-55 minutes