Cherry Dump Cake

Looking for an easy cherry dessert that tastes homemade without spending hours in the kitchen? This 3-ingredient cherry dump cake is the perfect answer. Often called a lazy cobbler, this simple baked dessert combines sweet cherry pie filling, buttery yellow cake mix, and melted butter for a warm, golden treat with almost no preparation.

This easy cherry dump cake recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, weekend desserts, family gatherings, potlucks, or whenever you want a comforting dessert with minimal cleanup. There is no need for mixing bowls, complicated steps, or special baking skills—just layer the ingredients, bake, and enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Cherry Dump Cake

• Made with only 3 simple pantry ingredients
• Ready for the oven in about 5 minutes
• No mixing bowl or electric mixer needed
• Perfect for potlucks, holidays, and family desserts
• Warm cherry filling with a buttery, crisp cake topping
• Easy to customize with other fruit pie fillings

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Bake Time: 40–45 minutes
Total Time: About 50 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling
• 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix, dry and unprepared
• 1 cup (226 g / 2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a 9×13-inch baking dish on the counter. You do not need to grease the dish.
2. Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the baking dish. Spread the cherries evenly so the bottom of the dish is fully covered.
3. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the cherry filling. Gently spread it with a spoon or your hands until most of the fruit is covered.
4. Slowly drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix. Try to cover as much of the dry mix as possible. A few dry spots are fine and will become lightly crisp during baking.
5. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.
6. Let the cherry dump cake rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This helps the warm fruit filling thicken slightly.
7. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of cream for an extra comforting dessert.

Easy Variations

You can make this classic dump cake recipe with other pie fillings, including blueberry, apple, peach, or mixed berry. White cake mix and French vanilla cake mix also work well if you prefer a lighter, sweeter topping.

For a little crunch, add chopped pecans or sliced almonds over the cake mix before drizzling on the butter. If you want a slightly lighter dessert, use ¾ cup of melted butter instead of a full cup, making sure it is spread evenly across the topping.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store leftover cherry dump cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until warm. Add ice cream or whipped cream just before serving.

This easy 3-ingredient cherry dump cake is a quick, budget-friendly dessert that delivers all the cozy flavor of homemade cherry cobbler with almost none of the work.