Easy Cherry Dump Cake Recipe (5 Ingredients)

Nothing beats an easy fruit-forward dessert. It’s even better when you only need four ingredients for the base, a can of pie filling, and your favorite vanilla ice cream to pair with it. This cherry dump cake checks all of those boxes. 

While many dump cakes use cake mix, frozen or canned fruit, and pats of butter or a melted butter drizzle on top, this version switches things up a bit. It’s dump cake-inspired, but produces a treat that stands on its own. 

Prep is quick with a bowl and spatula, ingredients are minimal, and you’ll end up with a golden cake base with a gooey center and a chewy crust. It’s a play on textures that’s reminiscent of the edges from a batch of blondies. The cherries add vibrant pops of fruit flavor to make it that much better. It’s comfort food at its finest and can be customized for any occasion. 

The Best Cherry Pie Filling 

The choice of which cherry pie filling to use here is all up to you. I’m a fan of Lucky Leaf or Bonne Maman pie filling, but I’ve also made this dessert with Safeway’s Signature Select brand. Any will do! 

Easy Variations

• Chocolate: Sprinkle the batter with mini chocolate chips before adding the cherry filling on top. They’ll add pops of gooey chocolate flavor after baking. 
• Coconut: I love to pair cherry and coconut, and you can certainly do that with this easy dessert. Sprinkle the cake with toasted coconut before serving. 
• Mix and match fruit: Cherry is the fruit of choice here, but you can certainly switch things up. Add an extra can of pie filling, whether you want to pair cherry with blueberry, strawberry, or even peach, or swap cherry out entirely for any of those fruits. 

Ways To Serve Cherry Dump Cake 

This cherry cake is good on its own, but it’s great with a scoop (or two!) of vanilla ice cream. Want to amp up the flavor? Serve it with cherry ice cream or pair it with chocolate, pistachio, or coconut ice cream for a twist. A dollop of store-bought or homemade whipped cream is another great option. No matter the topping you choose, serve this cake warm for the best texture.