Make our easy cake mix chocolate cherry dump cake with chocolate chips and pie filling for dessert tonight! With just 3 ingredients this has turned out to become one of our favorite cake mix hacks that almost tastes homemade.
This chocolate cherry dump cake is now on the top of our list of favorites. You can throw this together with Devil’s Food which makes it super quick to bake when you have company coming over. Just one of the easy dump cake recipes we make every month now.
Last year we made cherry brownies that are a bit similar to our cherry Devils food cake but not quite as fluffy. 😉 Both are just amazing…you can’t go wrong with either one really.
These both only require 3 ingredients which is great. Super handy especially when company comes over unexpectedly, or you just need a chocolate fix fast! Let’s get going with this Duncan Hines chocolate cake with cherry pie filling.
If you’re unfamiliar with dump cakes they are just that, dump a few ingredients in a bowl, stir, throw it in a pan and bake! You wouldn’t think that NOT following directions on the cake box would turn out so well but I’m convinced that mixing just about anything with a can of pie filling = a yum success of sorts. 😉
Ingredient Notes
You start off with a box of chocolate cake mix – I like Devil’s Food. Moist Betty Crocker dry cake mix is great. Use any flavor, black forest is great too, yellow cake mix can be used for a totally different flavor
Eggs should be added at room temperature for the ideal moist texture to this dessert.
The way we add the ooey gooey fruit is to add a can of cherry pie filling. We use the same one in our cherry cheesecake monkey bread.
Mini chocolate chips are optional if you want MORE chocolate…..and we do so those are thrown into the batter too. We do the same with our 2 ingredient pumpkin muffins.
Use a 9×13″ baking pan sprayed with a bit of non stick spray and you’re set to throw it into the oven. If you use a smaller 9×9 type of size it will take longer to bake until the middle comes out clean.
Tips for Succcess
You will want to mix in your can of cherry pie filling last. Use a spatula and very gently fold them in so the cherries don’t totally break apart. Do NOT over bake your cherry chocolate cake. Take out immediately when the middle of the cake springs back when you gently touch the center.
How to make cherry pie filling from scratch
I have only made homemade apple pie filling which you could use instead. If you wanted to make your own just add: 2/3 c sugar, 1/4 c cornstarch, 1/4 tsp salt, 1.5 c water + 2 Tbsp. lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then add 4 c tart cherries, pitted. Cook for a few more minutes, then allow to cool.
How Long to Bake Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
You only want to bake for 30 minutes or until middle springs back when touched gently in the center of the cake. This is important so it doesn’t dry out. If you test with a toothpick in the center there should not be any wet cake batter but rather there should be moist crumbs attached to know it will be perfect. Allow to cool if you want slices to cut smoothly and not break apart.
Of course it is plenty sweet enough served alone but if you want to really want to go all out you can top it with a dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream too….OH MY.
You can find a few varieties of the filling at the store. Typically they will offer store brands, name brands, regular and low sugar. Sometimes you might find a sugar free variety too. I like regular because we aren’t counting calories here and I don’t like artificial sweeteners at all.
Variations
You can use other flavors too, and search pie filling on our site for other options you will love just as much after you enjoy this one. If you love chocolate you’re going to go crazy over this chocolate cherry dump cake recipe for sure. Over the years we have done it all, with fruit like our banana dump cake but who can resist all the chocolate??!!. Allow it to cool and set up but served warm it is great. Add a scoop of ice cream on top and WOWy! A bit more work but worth it and using fresh fruit you’d want to follow our cherry crisp reicpe.
Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix, devil’s food
- 3 large eggs
- 1 can cherry pie filling, 21 oz
Instructions
- Mix together cake mix and your eggs so batter is smooth.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Add cherry pie filling to cake mix batter and use a spatula to gently mix it together. Fold in 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips if desired too.
- Spray non stick spray into a 13×9 cake pan and pour batter in, evenly distribute across pan so it is the same thickness across.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until middle springs back when touched gently in the center of the cake.
- Allow to cool if you want slices to cut smoothly and not break apart, serve with vanilla ice cream on top or as is.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Other Pie Filling Dump Cake Recipes You’ll Love
Cherry pineapple dump cake is shown below and oh so good. Pumpkin angel food cake isn’t just for Fall! Our cherry pie dump cake is amazing with only 3 ingredients too. It uses melted butter instead of eggs in case you need an egg free option.
FAQ
You need to add enough liquid to moisten the dry cake mix. Adding an egg or two will create a fluffier texture too. Some are layered with butter while others like this chocolate dump cake are mixed together.
Absolutely! Typically I will serve this cherry pie filling dump cake warm right out of the oven. With the leftovers though I’ll store in the fridge in a container and enjoy cold the next day. There isn’t a need to reheat that to enjoy again, but you could either way.
You can certainly leave it in the pan until you’re ready to eat it on the countertop for a few hours. If you have leftovers after serving, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge.
They say Duncan Hines tops the list. I have used many brands over the years and I can’t say there is a whole lot of difference between them other than the price. I tend to grab whatever is on sale really.
Here’s the printable recipe to follow that includes nutritional information, saturated fat and other info below. Keep it on hand to make again or just come back to The Typical Mom blog to find the instructions again!
I can’t wait to make these dump cake. I have a sister that can’t open a can by herself. I read this recipe to her. SHE SAID THAT SHE IS GOING TO TRY TO MAKE IT. Miracles do happen. Thanks so much.
@Debbie, how is she going to make it if she can’t open the can of cherry pie filling?
How to store and how long will it keep?? I want to make it for my upcoming Drs appointments
I have the cake in the oven. Just had a thought…has anyone tried it with a chocolate glaze on top (lightly microwaving a tub of frosting)?
You could totally do that