Can dessert really be this easy? This Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix proves it can gooey, rich, and so simple it feels like magic. My mom worked long nursing shifts, but no matter how tired she was, she’d still bake with me at her side.
That’s where I learned the joy of easy chocolate desserts, the comfort of quick chocolate recipes, and the beauty of a humble 4 ingredient dump cake.
Gooey Chocolate Cherry Comfort, Straight from the Pan
- This is my easy chocolate dump cake recipe that never lets me down.
- It’s the dessert I pull out when the day has been heavy but my family still deserves sweet.
The Ingredients Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, thinly sliced
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- Optional: ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Stuffani’s Truth:
These aren’t fancy ingredients. That’s the point. This is one of those easy desserts for families that shows up when you need it most no extra stress, just pantry staples and love.
How to Make Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix
Step 1: Preheat and prep the pan
Set your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
Stuffani’s Tip:
I’ve skipped greasing before don’t. The stuck corners taste like regret, not chocolate.
Step 2: Dump the cherries
Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the pan. Spread evenly.
Stuffani’s Whisper:
This part takes me right back to mom’s kitchen. She’d hand me the spoon and say, “Spread it like love.” I still do.
Step 3: Sprinkle the cake mix
Evenly cover the cherries with dry chocolate cake mix. Don’t stir.
Stuffani’s Advice:
I once stirred it, thinking I was clever. Big mistake. Trust the name dump, don’t mix.
Step 4: Butter blanket
Lay thin butter slices across the dry cake mix, covering as much as you can.
Stuffani’s Truth:
Butter is the blanket that tucks everything in. Mom always said, “If in doubt, add butter.” She wasn’t wrong.
Step 5: Add chocolate & nuts
Sprinkle chocolate chips and optional nuts across the top.
Stuffani’s Note:
This is where I sneak in extra love. Sometimes white chocolate, sometimes pecans. It always feels like mine.
Step 6: Bake to gooey perfection
Bake 45–50 minutes. The top should be set, edges bubbling.
Stuffani’s Voice:
The smell fills my kitchen the way mom’s used to fill hers. That’s how I know it’s done—when the house smells like coming home.
Looking for another easy potluck dessert recipe that disappears fast? Try my Best Million Dollar Lasagna Recipe. Different vibe, same “gone in minutes” reaction.
Ways to Make Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix Yours
- Some days, I follow the recipe step by step.
- Other nights, I swap, stretch, and lean on whatever’s waiting in my pantry.
Real swaps that taste like home
- No cherry pie filling? Use blueberry, apple, or peach every can has a story.
- Out of chocolate cake mix? Try vanilla or spice for a twist.
- Want it richer? Add pudding powder to make it a pudding mix dump cake that feels like Sunday.
- No chocolate chips? Toss in caramel bits, or skip them entirely.
- Want more easy chocolate dessert recipes? My Chocolate Cake Mix Muffins are a one-bowl win.
Stuffani’s Whisper:
Stuffani’s Whisper: My mom never stopped cooking just because we were missing one ingredient. After twelve hours on her feet, she’d swap, stretch, and make it work.
Easy touches that make it yours
- Top it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream one bite, and it feels like a sundae.
- Sprinkle nuts for crunch, or drizzle caramel for cozy sweetness.
- Add a swirl of peanut butter before baking for that “whoa” moment.
- Serve straight from the pan it’s the best kind of one-pan dessert recipe.
- If you love cherry and chocolate together, you’ll adore my Chocolate Covered Cherry Magic Bars they disappear from the plate even faster than this cake.
Stuffani’s Tip:
My dump cakes don’t always look photo-ready. Some crack, some bubble over. But my family never remembers the flaws they remember the gooey slices and the way we laughed, spoons first, plates second.
Serving and Storing Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix
- It’s gooey, rich, and one of my easy desserts for families.
- From pan to table, it feels like love you can scoop.
How to serve Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix
- Serve warm, straight from the pan, for that soft, molten center.
- Drizzle caramel or chocolate syrup to lean into indulgence.
- Want it pretty? Dust with powdered sugar or cocoa for a quick dress-up.
- For another crowd-ready idea, my Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Delight is just as shareable.
Stuffani’s Note:
I remember Mom still in scrubs, hair messy, sliding me the first scoop before she sat down. No whipped cream. No garnish. Just hot cake that said, “I see you. I love you.” That’s the memory I carry forward every time I make this.
How to store and enjoy later
- Let it cool completely before covering steam steals texture if you rush.
- Cover with foil or transfer to an airtight container.
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat slices in the microwave or oven.
- Want more cozy reheats? My Easy Pecan Pie Dump Cake warms up beautifully without losing its magic.
Stuffani’s Whisper:
Sometimes, I sneak a scoop cold, right from the fridge. Not to hide it well, maybe a little. Because moms deserve their own bite of chocolate joy, even at midnight.
Mistakes and How to Fix Them and Variations You’ll Love
Common Problems with Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Too dry | Overbaked or not enough moisture | Bake a few minutes less or add ¼ cup milk to filling |
| Gooey/raw center | Thick layer or underbaked | Bake 5–10 min longer, cover loosely with foil |
| Chips sink to bottom | Added all at once | Add half at start, sprinkle rest halfway through |
Stuffani’s Note:
I’ve pulled cakes out too dry and thought it was ruined. But Mom always reminded me every “mistake” is just another way we learn in the kitchen.
Chocolate Dump Cake Variations You’ll Love
- Black Forest Dump Cake: Add cherries and finish with a dollop of whipped cream.
- Peanut Butter Swirl: Mix in peanut butter chips or swirl creamy peanut butter before baking.
- Salted Caramel Chocolate: Drizzle caramel on top before baking and sprinkle lightly with sea salt.
Stuffani’s Whisper:
Don’t wait for the perfect occasion. Bake the version that speaks to you tonight because joy belongs in ordinary days too.
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FAQs: 4 ingredient dump cake
Can I use brownies instead of cake mix?
Yes. Brownie mix makes it fudgier and richer.
Can I make it without pudding mix?
Yes. The cake bakes fine without it. Pudding just adds creaminess.
Can I double the recipe for parties?
Yes. Use two pans or a larger dish great for easy desserts for families.
How do I know when dump cake is done?
Top should be set, edges bubbling. Bake 5–10 min longer if center looks wet.
Conclusion For 4 ingredient dump cake
- This Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix isn’t just sweet it’s a comfort you can scoop.
- It’s simple, gooey, and one of those easy desserts for families that never disappoints.
- One pan. Big flavor. A recipe you’ll keep close, because joy should always be this easy.
Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 50
- Total Time: 55
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix that’s quick, gooey, and rich. An easy chocolate dessert recipe that’s budget-friendly and ready in one pan.
Ingredients
1 box chocolate cake mix (15.25 oz)
2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
½ cup (1 stick) butter, thinly sliced
½ cup chocolate chips
Optional: ¼ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat to 350°F and grease your 9×13-inch pan.
Step 2: Dump both cans of cherry pie filling into the pan. Spread it out.
Step 3: Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the cherries. Don’t stir.
Step 4: Lay your butter slices across the dry mix. Cover as much surface as you can.
Step 5: Sprinkle with chocolate chips and chopped nuts if using.
Step 6: Bake for 45–50 minutes. Top should look set. Edges bubbling.
Notes
Don’t stir the layers. This is what gives the cake its perfect gooey base and crisp topping.
You can swap cherry pie filling for raspberry or strawberry for a twist.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: chocolate dump cake, chocolate cherry dump cake, easy dump cake, cake mix dump cake, no mix dessert, 5 minute dessert
