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Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe - Easy, Cozy, Crowd-Pleasing Dessert

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling
  • 1 box (15.25 ounces) chocolate cake mix (devil’s food or chocolate fudge works well)
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted (or 1/2 cup neutral oil)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional, for extra depth)
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, complements the cherry flavor)
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional, for extra richness)
  • Pinch of salt (optional, balances sweetness)
  • Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (for serving, optional but highly recommended)

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Add the cherries: Spread the cherry pie filling evenly in the bottom of the pan. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts if using.
  3. Sprinkle the cake mix: Evenly distribute the dry chocolate cake mix over the cherries. Don’t mix it in—just cover the surface in a thin, even layer.
  4. Add chocolate chips: Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the cake mix for pockets of melty chocolate.
  5. Pour on the butter: Drizzle the melted butter across the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much as you can; a few dry spots are okay and will hydrate as it bakes.
  6. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35–45 minutes. The top should look set and slightly crisp, with cherry juices bubbling around the edges.
  7. Rest and serve: Let the cake rest for 10–15 minutes to set slightly. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.