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My chocolate cherry dump cake is crazy simple to make. It feels like you're cheating the baking system because it takes so little effort but tastes out-of-this-world good. When the sweet cherries mix with that rich chocolate and you top it with cold vanilla ice cream, everyone always asks for another helping.
The Simplest Cake Recipe Ever
Yeah, the name dump cake sounds weird but it's actually brilliant. You just toss everything in layers into a pan and stick it in the oven. There's no mixing or measuring—just throw it together and get amazing dessert results. It's perfect when you want something tasty without any kitchen stress.
What You'll Need
- Cherry Pie Filling: Get two cans for a super fruity, rich base.
- Almond Extract: A tiny bit really brings out the cherry flavor.
- Cake Mix: Devil's food gives you that deep chocolate taste.
- Butter: Cut it into thin pieces for even melting across the top.
Let's Put It Together
- Prep Your Dish
- Coat a 13×9 pan with some grease and warm your oven to 350°F—nothing complicated here.
- Begin With Fruit
- Stir that tiny bit of almond extract into your cherry filling and layer it on the bottom.
- Sprinkle The Mix
- Dump your cake mix over those cherries and don't bother stirring anything.
- Finish With Butter
- Arrange those thin butter slices across the whole surface, trying to leave no gaps.
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Baking Process
Stick your pan in the 350°F oven and let it cook for around 45 minutes. You'll know it's done when the surface looks properly baked and you can spot the cherry filling bubbling at the edges.
Taking It Up A Notch
I love serving this while it's still warm with a hefty scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. It's amazing to watch the ice cream slowly melt down into all that warm chocolatey cherry goodness—total dessert bliss.
Storage Tips
If you end up with extras, just wrap the pan in foil. It'll stay fine on your countertop for a day or two, or you can keep it in the fridge for up to a week. Just warm it up in the microwave when you want some more.
Fresh Cherry Option
I sometimes make this with cherries from the farmers market. You'll need about 5 cups after pitting, mixed with a bit of sugar and cornstarch. That little touch of almond extract works wonders here too.
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Creating That Golden Surface
To get that beautiful golden top, make sure you cut your butter really thin. Sometimes I'll melt it and add a splash of milk before pouring it over everything—it makes the top extra fluffy.
Creative Variation
Try this cool trick—use a can of soda instead of butter. Cherry cola or Sprite works great and makes the cake incredibly light with some extra flavor notes.
Crockpot Version
When my day's packed, I toss this in my slow cooker. Layer everything the same way and cook on low for about 4 hours. Your whole house will smell wonderful.
Crowd-Pleasing Dessert
This is what I bring to every potluck and family gathering. It travels so well and folks always want to know how I made it—they can't believe how few steps there are.
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Romantic Dessert Choice
Chocolate and cherries together make this ideal for Valentine's Day. Sometimes I add an extra drizzle of chocolate sauce when I'm trying to impress someone special.
Flavor Experiments
Feel free to switch things up. Try vanilla instead of almond extract or grab a chocolate fudge cake mix. That's what makes cooking fun—you can play around until you find your favorite combo.
Ice Cream Pairings
Vanilla ice cream works great, but don't stop there. Try chocolate or cherry flavors too. Sometimes I set out different kinds and let everyone pick what they want on top.
Easy Cleanup
Another bonus with this dessert is there's barely any washing up. You've got just one baking dish and maybe a spoon—that's it. More time to enjoy eating instead of scrubbing.
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Flavor Booster
That tiny bit of almond extract might not seem important but wow does it make a difference. It really brings out the natural cherry taste in a way nothing else can.
Simpler Than Cobbler
Friends often say this reminds them of cobbler but without all the work. You get that awesome fruit bottom and crispy top layer without any of the fuss.
Four-Season Treat
While it's great for Valentine's Day, we eat this all year round. Try switching to peaches during summer months or blueberries in spring for seasonal twists.
Heartwarming Dessert
There's something really special about giving people you care about a warm, gooey dessert like this. It's not fancy but that's what makes it great—real comfort food that shows love.
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Conclusion
Enjoy a no-fuss dessert that mixes juicy cherries with chocolatey goodness. Perfect for minimal prep but big flavor. Great for impressing anyone!
Recipe FAQs
- → What makes it a cobbler?
It’s called a cobbler because the ingredients are layered instead of mixed. You just stack them up in the pan and bake!
- → When’s it fully baked?
It’s done once the topping is golden and the center bubbles, which is usually around the 45-50 minute mark. A few dry spots are fine.
- → Do I need to add almond flavor?
Not at all! Almond extract is optional. It does give a nice flavor boost to the cherries, but it’s fantastic without it too.
- → What’s the best way to serve this?
Spoon it up warm and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dollop some whipped cream on top. The warm and cold combo is irresistible!
- → How long will it stay fresh?
Keep it at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. To reheat, just pop a portion in the microwave until warmed up.