How to Make a Cherry Dump Cake

While fresh cherries are not always available, you can find canned pie filling in stores year-round.

If you have a box of cake mix and a can of pie filling, but no eggs, oil or pie shells, this three-ingredient cake can offer a yummy solution to your baking dilemma. With a name like "dump cake" you may have a preconceived notion of the way it tastes. However, your guests will be pleasantly surprised when you bring this desert to the table. The ingredients are either shelf-stable or freezable, so stock your kitchen with the necessary items for when you need a delicious cake in a pinch.

Things You'll Need

• Spray oil
• 13-by-9-inch cake pan
• 2 21-oz. cans cherry pie filling
• 8-oz. can crushed pineapple (optional)
• 21-oz. can blueberry pie filling (optional)
• 21-oz. can peach pie filling (optional)
• Yellow cake box mix
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• Small bowl
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• Whipped cream
• Vanilla ice cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray the inside bottom and sides of the cake pan.

2. Dump the cans of cherry pie filling directly into the sprayed pan. Alternatively, replace one of the cans of filling with one 8-oz. can of crushed pineapple, or with a 21-oz. can of blueberry or peach pie filling to complement the flavor of the cherries. Spread the fruit out into an even layer.

3. Pour one box of yellow cake mix over the fruit. Spread the cake mix out to create an even layer so the cake cooks evenly and comes out with a smooth surface.

4. Add the butter cut into 1/4-inch thin slices in a small bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds on 100 percent power. Remove the butter and stir to melt any remaining chunks.

5. Sprinkle 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans over the cake mix, if desired. Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the cake.

6. Place the cake in the center of the preheated oven. Bake it for 25 minutes or until the cake is golden brown. Cool completely before serving with a spoon.

7. Top each serving of the cake with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a sugar-free version of the cherry pie filling if desired.

• Do not replace the pie filling with fresh fruit, as the liquid from the pie filling is necessary to moisten the cake mix.

References

• Epicurious; Cherry Dump Cake
• "Betty Crocker's 4-Ingredient Dinners": Easy Fruit Crisp "Dump" Dessert