If you’re craving a dessert that feels like a warm hug and requires almost no effort, then this Easy Cherry Dump Cake Recipe with 3 Ingredients Recipe is about to become your new best friend. With just cherry pie filling, cake mix, and melted butter, you can whip up a luscious, bubbly treat that’s golden, sweet, and bursting with fruity goodness. It’s the perfect blend of simplicity and deliciousness that lets you have a spectacular dessert on the table faster than you can say “Happy day!”
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things wonderfully simple, but each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect dump cake texture and flavor. These essentials blend to give you that irresistible mix of juicy cherries, tender crumbly cake, and buttery richness.
- Cherry pie filling: The star ingredient that offers sweetness, tartness, and a glossy, juicy base for our cake.
- Yellow or white cake mix: This pantry staple adds the soft, cake-like crumb topping that crisps up beautifully in the oven.
- Melted butter: Binding the dry cake mix into a coarse, buttery crumb, it creates the golden, rich crust that’s utterly addictive.
How to Make Easy Cherry Dump Cake Recipe with 3 Ingredients Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Dish
Set your oven to 350°F, a perfect temperature to gently bake the cake while melting all those wonderful flavors together. Be sure to spray your 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray so your cake lifts out easily after baking.
Step 2: Spread the Cherry Pie Filling
Open those two cans of cherry pie filling and spread evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to distribute the cherries and luscious syrup in one even layer; this juicy foundation is what makes every bite magical.
Step 3: Combine Cake Mix and Butter
In a large mixing bowl, pour in your dry cake mix, then add the melted butter. Now, get your hands a little dirty and mix them together, or use a pastry blender if you prefer. What you want is a crumbly mixture that looks like coarse sand — this will become your crispy cake topping.
Step 4: Sprinkle the Cake Mixture Over Cherries
Evenly sift or sprinkle the crumbly butter and cake mix blend over the cherry layer. Don’t worry if some cherries peek through here and there – that just means more delicious fruit in every slice.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Bubbling
Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 50 to 55 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is a beautiful, light golden brown and you can see the cherry filling bubbling around the edges – the perfect sign that all the flavors are dancing happily together.
How to Serve Easy Cherry Dump Cake Recipe with 3 Ingredients Recipe
Garnishes
This dump cake is fantastic served warm straight from the oven, but tossing on a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream really takes it to the next level. The creamy, cold topping contrasts wonderfully with the warm, cakey fruit, making every bite more indulgent than the last.
Side Dishes
If you’re looking to round out your dessert spread, fresh berries or a simple cup of black coffee pair beautifully with this cherry dump cake. The freshness of the berries complements the rich cherry filling, while the coffee cuts through the sweetness for a balanced treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this dump cake in individual ramekins for a charming, personalized touch. You can even drizzle some melted chocolate or sprinkle chopped nuts on top before baking for extra texture and flair. No matter how you present it, this dessert will bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so if anything, your dump cake might taste even better the next day when served lightly warmed.
Freezing
This dump cake freezes beautifully, making it a perfect treat to prepare ahead of time. Simply wrap the cooled cake tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To bring leftover or thawed dump cake back to its warm, bubbly glory, pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for about 30 seconds, but the oven will keep that crisp topping intact.
FAQs
Can I use other fruit fillings instead of cherry?
Absolutely! This recipe is versatile, and you can swap cherry pie filling for blueberry, apple, or peach fillings to create different delicious versions. Just stick to the same quantities for best results.
Do I have to use yellow or white cake mix?
Yellow or white cake mixes work best due to their mild sweetness and soft texture, but if you want to get creative, try spice cake or even chocolate for a richer twist. Keep in mind the flavor will change accordingly.
What if I don’t have melted butter on hand?
Butter is key to helping the dry cake mix turn into a crispy topping. While you could try substituting with melted margarine or coconut oil, the flavor and texture might differ slightly. Butter is definitely the gold standard here.
Is the cake very sweet? Can I reduce sugar?
This cake does have a sweet profile because of the cake mix and pie filling. If you prefer less sweet, you might pick a low-sugar pie filling or try a sugar-free cake mix. Just remember the sugar contributes to the golden crust and overall balance.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free yellow cake mix and make sure your cherry pie filling is gluten-free as well. This way, you can still enjoy the simplicity and yumminess of this Easy Cherry Dump Cake Recipe with 3 Ingredients Recipe without gluten.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Cherry Dump Cake Recipe with 3 Ingredients Recipe truly is a celebration of simplicity and taste. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen newbie, the joy of turning just three easy ingredients into a warm, comforting dessert cannot be overstated. Give it a try, share it with your loved ones, and watch it become a beloved staple in your recipe collection.
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Easy Cherry Dump Cake Recipe with 3 Ingredients Recipe
- Total Time: 60-65 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Cherry Dump Cake uses just three simple ingredients to create a delicious, comforting dessert. Layers of sweet cherry pie filling topped with a buttery cake mix crumb bake to golden perfection in under an hour, making it perfect for quick gatherings or a cozy family treat.
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 cans (540 mL each) cherry pie filling
Topping
- 1 (15.25 oz) yellow or white cake mix
- ½ cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to fully preheat to ensure even baking of the cake.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly spray the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Spread Filling: Open and pour both cans of cherry pie filling evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out with a spatula to create a uniform layer.
- Mix Topping: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with the dry cake mix. Use your hands or a pastry blender to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, ensuring a crumbly texture once baked.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the butter and cake mix crumb mixture evenly over the cherry pie filling layer in the baking dish, covering it as uniformly as possible.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the top is light golden brown and you see bubbling around the edges, indicating it’s thoroughly cooked.
- Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy it plain or topped with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Using chilled pie filling can help it hold up better under the cake topping.
- Feel free to experiment with different cake mix flavors like white, yellow, or even spice for a twist.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat before serving if desired.
- This dessert pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.
- Do not stir the layers once assembled to maintain the distinct textures.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
