Oh, you are going to FLIP for this Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake! Seriously, if you’re looking for a dessert that’s ridiculously easy to make but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, this is it. I remember the first time I made it for a potluck – people were raving, asking for the recipe, and I just smiled because it took me maybe ten minutes to throw together. The combination of rich chocolate cake and sweet, slightly tart cherries is just divine, especially when it’s warm and gooey straight from the oven. It’s become my go-to for pretty much any occasion, or honestly, just when a craving hits!
Gather Your Ingredients for Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Okay, so the beauty of a dump cake is that you really don’t need much, and it’s super forgiving! For this amazing Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake, you’ll want to grab just a few things from the store. I usually go for a classic devil’s food cake mix because it really amps up that chocolatey goodness, but any standard chocolate cake mix will totally work. And for the cherries, a good ol’ can of cherry pie filling is the star here. Trust me, the simplicity is the best part!
Essential Ingredients for Your Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Here’s exactly what you’ll need to make this magic happen:
- 1 box (about 15.25 oz) devil’s food or chocolate cake mix
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- 1/2 cup (which is one stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (this is optional, but highly recommended for a little crunch!)
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
I really love the devil’s food cake mix for that extra deep chocolate flavor, but honestly, any chocolate cake mix works perfectly fine. If you can’t find cherry pie filling, don’t sweat it! Blueberry or even a mixed berry pie filling makes a fantastic substitute. They both bring a lovely fruity counterpoint to the chocolate. And those pecans? They add a wonderful texture, but if nuts aren’t your thing, just leave them out. It’ll still be delicious!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Alright, let’s get this amazing Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake into the oven! It’s so simple, you’ll feel like a baking superhero. The whole process is really just about layering things in the pan, which is why it’s called a “dump” cake – you literally dump the ingredients in!
Preparing Your Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Dish
First things first, let’s get that oven preheated. You want it to be nice and hot at 350°F (that’s 175°C). While the oven is warming up, grab your 9×13 inch baking dish. You don’t need to grease it or anything fancy, because the pie filling and butter will do all the work to prevent sticking. Just have it ready to go!
Assembling the Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Layers
Now for the fun part! Open up that can of cherry pie filling. Pour it right into the bottom of your baking dish. Try to spread it out as evenly as you can, getting it into all the corners. This fruity layer is the base of our deliciousness. Next, take your dry chocolate cake mix – don’t whisk it or anything, just open the box and sprinkle it evenly all over the cherry pie filling. Make sure you get it all the way to the edges. Then, drizzle that melted butter all over the dry cake mix. If you’re using those lovely pecans, sprinkle them on top of the butter now. It’s like magic happening right in the pan!
Baking Your Perfect Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Pop that pan into your preheated oven. You’re going to bake it for about 40 to 50 minutes. What you’re looking for is that beautiful golden-brown color on top, especially around the edges of the cake mix. You might see some bubbling from the cherry filling peeking through, which is totally normal and a good sign! To be sure it’s done, you can gently poke a knife or a toothpick into the center. If it comes out mostly clean, with maybe a few moist crumbs (but no wet batter!), it’s ready. Let it cool for just a few minutes before digging in!
Tips for the Ultimate Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Experience
Alright, let’s talk about making this Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake absolutely sing! While it’s already super easy, a few little tricks can really elevate it. Don’t worry, these are simple things that make a big difference!
Achieving the Perfect Texture on Your Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
The biggest thing with dump cakes is making sure that cake mix topping gets nice and golden brown without burning. Keep an eye on it towards the end of the baking time – if the top is browning too quickly but the inside isn’t cooked, you can loosely tent a piece of foil over it. Also, make sure your oven is truly at 350°F. Ovens can be a bit quirky, so using an oven thermometer can help ensure you’re baking at the right temperature for that perfect moist-yet-slightly-crispy topping.
Flavor Enhancements for Your Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Want to kick the flavor up a notch? It’s so easy! Try mixing a little bit of cinnamon – maybe half a teaspoon – into that dry cake mix before you dump it. It adds this wonderfully warm, subtle spice that pairs beautifully with the chocolate and cherries. Another idea is to add a tiny splash of vanilla extract to the melted butter before you drizzle it over the top. It just adds another layer of deliciousness that people will notice, even if they can’t pinpoint why!
Serving and Storing Your Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Okay, so you’ve made this incredible Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake, and now it’s time for the best part – enjoying it! And don’t worry if you have any left over, because it stores like a dream.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Honestly, this cake is amazing all on its own, especially when it’s still a little warm. But if you want to take it to the next level, a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream is just heavenly. The cold ice cream melting into the warm, gooey cake is pure bliss! Whipped cream is also a fantastic choice for a lighter topping. For a little something different, try a dollop of sweetened cream cheese or even a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
If, by some miracle, you have any Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake left, just pop it into an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil. It’ll keep nicely in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. When you want to enjoy it again, you can eat it cold, or warm up a slice in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds until it’s nice and gooey again. It reheats beautifully!
Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Got questions about this super-easy Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake? I totally get it, sometimes the simplest things have the most questions! Here are a few that pop up a lot.
Can I use a different flavor of pie filling in my Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake?
Oh absolutely! While cherry is my favorite for this Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake, it’s honestly delicious with almost any fruit pie filling. Blueberry is fantastic, peach works wonderfully, and even a mixed berry blend is a great choice. Just use the same amount – one 21-ounce can – and you’ll get a slightly different, but equally yummy, result!
How do I know when my Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake is done?
The best way to tell is to look for that gorgeous golden-brown color on the top layer of cake mix, especially around the edges. You should also see some gentle bubbling from the fruit filling underneath. If you’re unsure, just grab a toothpick or a thin knife and poke it into the center. If it comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it, and no wet batter, then your Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake is perfectly baked and ready to go!
Can I make this Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake ahead of time?
You know, dump cakes are really best when they’re fresh out of the oven. Because you’re essentially baking the cake mix right on top of the fruit filling and butter, it can get a little soggy if it sits for too long before baking. However, you *can* assemble it all in the baking dish a few hours ahead of time, cover it tightly, and keep it at room temperature. Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve!
Nutritional Information Disclaimer
Just a little heads-up about the nutrition info for this Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake! Keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates. They can totally change depending on the specific brands of cake mix, pie filling, or even the type of butter you use. So, think of these as a general guide rather than exact figures!
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Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Bliss 101
- Total Time: 50-60 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious dump cake featuring chocolate and cherry flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the cherry pie filling evenly in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix evenly over the cherry pie filling.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top, if using.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and cooked through.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- You can substitute other fruit pie fillings for the cherry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: chocolate cherry dump cake, easy dessert, quick cake, fruit dessert, chocolate cake