This quick and comforting cherry almond dump cake uses just a few pantry staples, comes together in minutes, and bakes into a warm, old-fashioned dessert everyone enjoys. It’s an ideal choice when you want something sweet and satisfying without a lot of effort.
This cherry almond dump cake evokes simple desserts from home kitchens — made fast, served warm, and perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. With minimal prep and only a handful of ingredients, it’s the kind of recipe you can assemble and bake in under an hour.
Ingredients you’ll need
Please refer to the ingredient amounts below and prepare a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
- 2 cans cherry pie filling
- 2 teaspoons almond extract (or 2 teaspoons vanilla if preferred)
- 1 box yellow or golden cake mix
- 3/4 cup melted butter
- Slivered almonds, optional topping
Quick facts
- Yield: 12 servings
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 45–55 minutes
- Total time: about 50 minutes
Cherry Dump Cake with Almonds
Dump, drizzle, bake, and serve. This classic Cherry Dump Cake requires only pantry staples—pie filling, cake mix, almond extract, and butter—and comes together in minutes.
Ingredients (detailed)
- 2 cans cherry pie filling
- 2 teaspoons almond extract (1 teaspoon stirred into each can)
- 1 box yellow or golden cake mix
- 3/4 cup melted butter
- Slivered almonds, optional
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
- Stir 1 teaspoon almond extract into each can of cherry pie filling.
- Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the bottom of the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the cherry filling—do not mix with liquid first.
- Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix. Use the back of a spoon or a knife to gently help the butter coat the dry mix so it will crisp as it bakes.
- Optionally sprinkle with slivered almonds for added crunch and flavor.
- Bake at 350°F for 45–55 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the top is golden brown and slightly crunchy.
- Let the dump cake cool slightly, then serve warm—excellent with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
-
Pour cherry pie filling into a 9×13 inch pan. -
Sprinkle the cake mix over the filling. -
Drizzle melted butter over the cake mix.
Step 4: Sprinkle with slivered almonds (if desired) and bake until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly along the edges.
Serve slightly warm with a scoop of ice cream for a classic pairing.
Why is this called a “dump cake”?
The name comes from how simple the method is: you literally “dump” the pie filling into a pan, sprinkle dry cake mix on top, drizzle butter, and bake. No mixing bowls or electric mixers are required, which makes this an easy, low-effort dessert for busy evenings or last-minute gatherings.
How to tell when a dump cake is done
A toothpick test won’t work here because the cake mix doesn’t fully set like a conventional cake. Instead, bake until the top is golden and feels slightly crisp to the touch and the filling bubbles around the edges. That combination indicates the butter has soaked into the mix and created a crisp, cake-like topping.
Storage and make-ahead tips
You can leave a finished dump cake on the counter for a short time, but for longer storage keep it covered in the refrigerator. To freeze, wrap tightly and store up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole pan in a low oven.
Common questions
Do you mix the cake mix before pouring it on?
No—do not prepare the cake mix with eggs or water. Sprinkle the dry mix directly over the fruit filling.
Do you stir the ingredients together?
No. Layer the components—fruit, dry mix, butter—and bake. The result will be a baked fruit filling with a tender, crispy topping.
Variations
This dump cake technique works with many pie fillings, so feel free to experiment with flavors and cake mixes.
- Apple pie filling: omit the almond extract, add a sprinkle of cinnamon, top with chopped walnuts, and serve with caramel sauce for a caramel-apple style dump cake.
- Chocolate-cherry: swap the yellow cake mix for chocolate cake mix for a richer flavor.
- Other fruits: use strawberry, peach, or blueberry pie fillings and add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg; serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
Recipe nutrition (per serving)
Yield: 12 servings. Amount per serving (approximate): Calories 394; Total fat 14 g; Saturated fat 8 g; Trans fat 1 g; Unsaturated fat 5 g; Cholesterol 31 mg; Sodium 427 mg; Carbohydrates 65 g; Fiber 1 g; Sugar 19 g; Protein 3 g.
This cherry almond dump cake is a reliable, crowd-pleasing dessert—fast to make, easy to customize, and delicious served warm. Keep the ingredients on hand for an effortless treat anytime.