Cherry Chocolate Dump Cake

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This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake is an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert made with cherry pie filling, chocolate cake mix, and chocolate chips. It's a classic dump-and-bake recipe that comes together in minutes and bakes into a rich, gooey dessert everyone loves.

The Kind of Potluck Dessert People Ask About

This is the dessert that quietly disappears at church suppers and family get-togethers. It's dependable, familiar, and comforting in the best way. There's no mixing bowl, no special technique, and no stress. Just pantry staples layered into a dish and baked until the cherries are thick and bubbly beneath a soft chocolate topping. It's the kind of old-fashioned dessert people recognize instantly and always go back for.

Cherry Chocolate Dump Cake being spooned out of baking dish.

FAQs

Can I use a different pie filling?

Yes. Blueberry, blackberry, or raspberry pie filling all work well and keep the same cozy, potluck-style feel.

Can I swap the vanilla extract in a dump cake?

You can. Almond extract pairs especially well with cherries and chocolate and gives the dessert a slightly deeper, bakery-style flavor.

What kind of chocolate chips work best?

Semi-sweet is classic, dark chocolate adds richness, and milk chocolate makes the dessert sweeter.

Can I use a different cake mix?

Devil's food cake mix or fudge cake mix both work well and deepen the chocolate flavor.

How should I store Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake?

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through.

Can this dump cake be frozen?

Yes. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Ingredients

Cherry pie filling - A classic pantry staple that bakes into a thick, bubbly fruit layer just like old church potluck desserts.
Vanilla extract - Adds a soft, homemade warmth that brings out the cherry and chocolate flavors.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips - Melt into the cake for rich pockets of chocolate in every scoop.
Chocolate cake mix - The easy shortcut that creates a soft, slightly crisp topping with deep chocolate flavor.
Salted butter - Drizzled over the top to help the cake bake evenly while adding that familiar, buttery richness.

Instructions

Preheat the oven and grease a 9×13 baking dish.

Add the cherry pie filling and vanilla extract directly to the dish and stir to combine. Spread the mixture evenly across the bottom.

Cherry pie filling and vanilla extract in 9x13 baking dish.

Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the cherry layer.

Chocolate chips sprinkled on top of cherry pie filling in 9x13 baking dish.

Pour the dry chocolate cake mix over the top and gently smooth it into an even layer without mixing it into the fruit.

Chocolate cake mix sprinkled on top of cherry pie filling and chocolate chips for dump cake.

Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix.

Melted butter poured over the top of the chocolate cake mix for dump cake.

Bake until the top is set, lightly crisp, and the cherries are bubbling around the edges. Let the cake cool slightly before serving.

Cherry Chocolate dump cake in bowl, topped with vanilla ice cream.

Tips

Do not mix the layers. Dump cakes bake best when each layer stays right where it belongs.
Drizzle the butter as evenly as possible so the cake mix bakes through without dry patches.
Smooth the cake mix gently for an even topping without disturbing the fruit underneath.
Bubbling fruit around the edges is a reliable sign the cake is ready.
Let the cake rest for 10 to 15 minutes so the filling thickens slightly.
Serve warm for the best contrast between gooey cherries and soft chocolate cake.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream makes this dessert extra special.

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