Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

This easy chocolate cherry dump cake is made with just four ingredients: cherry pie filling, dry fudge brownie mix, cold butter, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. It bakes into a rich, gooey dessert with a fudgy brownie-style topping and sweet cherry filling underneath. Best of all, there is no mixing bowl required.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you need a simple dessert that tastes rich, homemade, and a little bit indulgent, this chocolate cherry dump cake with brownie mix is a great choice. It works beautifully for Valentine’s Day, potlucks, holidays, birthdays, or any night when you want a warm chocolate dessert without a long ingredient list.

The combination of cherry pie filling and chocolate is classic for a reason. The cherries add sweetness, moisture, and a bright fruit flavor, while the brownie mix creates a deep chocolate topping that turns crisp on the surface and soft underneath. Unlike a traditional chocolate cherry dump cake made with cake mix, this version is intentionally fudgier and more brownie-like.

Many dump cakes can end up with dry, powdery patches on top or greasy areas where the butter collects. This recipe keeps the same easy “dump and bake” method but uses a better butter distribution technique. By slicing cold butter thinly and placing it across the entire surface, the brownie mix hydrates more evenly as it bakes.

Ingredients + Notes

• 16.3-ounce box of fudge brownie mix: Use the dry brownie mix straight from the box. Do not prepare it according to the package directions, and do not add eggs, oil, or water. A standard 16 to 18-ounce box works well; avoid family-size boxes. If your mix includes a syrup pouch, do not use it for this recipe.
• 2 cans cherry pie filling: Use cherry pie filling, not plain canned cherries. Pie filling has the thickness and sweetness needed to create the soft fruit layer underneath the brownie topping.
• 2 sticks cold butter: Cold butter is easier to slice into thin pieces. Thin butter slices help cover the brownie mix more evenly and reduce the chance of dry patches.
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips add pockets of melted chocolate throughout the topping. Milk chocolate chips can also be used if you prefer a sweeter flavor.

Additions & Substitutions

• For extra crunch, sprinkle ½ cup chopped pecans over the dry brownie mix before adding the butter.
• You can use another pie filling if you want to change the flavor. Strawberry, blackberry, or raspberry pie filling would also pair well with chocolate.
• If you use cake mix instead of brownie mix, expect a lighter and more crumbly topping rather than a fudgy brownie texture.

How to Make Cherry Chocolate Dump Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This temperature helps the top set while keeping the inside soft and fudgy.
2. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the dish. Push the filling into the corners so the entire base is covered.
3. Add the dry brownie mix. Sprinkle it evenly over the cherry filling. Do not press it down, and do not stir the layers together.
4. Add the chocolate chips. Sprinkle them evenly over the brownie mix so every serving gets a little extra melted chocolate.
5. Slice the cold butter into thin ¼-inch slices. Arrange the slices over the entire surface, covering as much of the dry brownie mix as possible.
6. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top looks mostly set and lightly crisp and the cherry filling bubbles around the edges. Near the end of baking, check for any obvious dry areas and add a small piece of butter if needed.
7. Let the dump cake rest for 15 minutes before serving. It may look loose when it first comes out of the oven, but the filling and topping will thicken as it sits. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.

Step-by-Step Recipe Video

Leftovers & Storage

Leftovers: Store leftover chocolate cherry dump cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Reheating: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, or until heated through.

Freezing: This dessert can be frozen, but the topping will soften after thawing. For the best texture, bake and serve it fresh.

Leslie’s Helpful Tips & Tricks

• Do not mix the layers. The cherry pie filling, dry brownie mix, chocolate chips, and butter should remain layered while baking.
• Cover the top well with butter. Dry spots usually happen when parts of the brownie mix are left uncovered.
• Use thin butter slices. The thinner the slices, the easier it is to cover the surface evenly.
• Check near the end of baking. If you see a small dry patch, gently move a little melted butter over that area or add a small extra slice of butter. Avoid stirring into the cherry layer.
• Give it time to rest. The 15-minute rest is important because it helps the cherry filling and brownie topping set before serving.

FAQs

Make this chocolate cherry dump cake for Valentine’s Day, a family dessert, or any time you want a simple chocolate treat with a gooey cherry center.