Description
This cherry dump cake is a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing dessert featuring sweet cherries and a golden, buttery cake topping. With minimal prep and pantry-friendly ingredients, it’s perfect for beginners and busy families craving homemade comfort food.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds (optional)
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Add the crushed pineapple (with juice) on top and gently spread. Do not mix.
- Drizzle almond extract over the fruit layer if using, and swirl lightly with the back of a spoon.
- Sprinkle the yellow cake mix evenly over the fruit layer. Do not press down.
- Slice cold butter into thin pats and dot evenly over the cake mix. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top if desired.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling around the edges. If using a metal pan, check after 40 minutes.
- If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
- Let the cake cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm for best texture.
Notes
For extra crunch, use cold butter and sprinkle sliced almonds in the last 10 minutes of baking. You can substitute the cherry pie filling with other fruit fillings or use gluten-free cake mix for dietary needs. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a classic touch. If the topping looks dry, drizzle melted butter over those spots and bake a few minutes longer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45–50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of cake
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 32
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
Keywords: cherry dump cake, easy dessert, beginner baking, potluck recipe, comfort food, yellow cake mix, fruit dessert, quick dessert, crowd pleaser, cherry cake