Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix— Easiest Dessert

There are some evenings when I want to serve something warm and homemade for dessert, but the thought of measuring, mixing, and washing multiple bowls feels like climbing a mountain. That’s when Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix comes to my rescue—the dessert that practically makes itself while making you look like a kitchen genius.

My mom used to say that good cooks know when to take shortcuts and when to go the long way around. Dump cake is definitely the shortcut that keeps on giving, turning minimal effort into maximum smiles around the table.

Why You’ll Fall In Love With Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix

• Literally dump and bake (no mixing, no bowls, no mess!)
• Just 4-5 basic ingredients (that you probably already have)
• Prep takes less than 5 minutes (perfect for last-minute dessert emergencies)
• Endlessly customizable (I’ll share my favorite combinations)
• Warm, gooey goodness that tastes completely homemade

I discovered dump cake during a particularly chaotic season of life with three kids under 10, work deadlines, and volunteering commitments. When my youngest asked for a “special dessert” for family movie night, but I had zero energy left, this recipe saved the day—and has been in regular rotation ever since.

What Exactly Is A Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix?

If you’ve never made dump cake before, the concept is brilliantly simple: you literally dump ingredients in layers into a baking dish, put it in the oven, and walk away. The magic happens during baking as the ingredients meld together into a cobbler-like dessert with a cake-like top and gooey, pudding-like filling.

No mixing. No measuring cups to wash. Just pure, efficient deliciousness.

Let’s Gather Our Ingredients Chocolate Dump Cake from Mix

For the basic Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake (my family’s favorite):

• 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 work well)

Let’s Make Some Magic

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Dump in the pie filling. Spread it evenly across the bottom of the dish.
3. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the pie filling. Do not mix! This is key to the dump cake method.
4. Place thin slices of butter all over the top of the dry cake mix, trying to cover as much of the surface as possible.
5. Scatter chocolate chips (and nuts, if using) across the top.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the top is set and the edges are bubbling. The cake mix will combine with the butter to form a crust-like topping.
7. Cool slightly before serving. This cake is best enjoyed warm, preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top.

Stuffani’s Notes From Years Of Dump Cake Experiments

Butter distribution matters: Covering as much of the dry cake mix as possible with butter ensures you won’t have dry patches in your finished cake. If you notice any dry spots during baking, you can add a few more small pieces of butter to those areas.

Make it your own: While cherry is the classic pairing with chocolate, you can use any pie filling—apple, blueberry, peach, or even pumpkin work beautifully with chocolate cake mix.

Melted butter method: If slicing butter feels tedious, you can melt the butter and drizzle it over the cake mix instead. I find the sliced method gives more even coverage, but both work.

Storage tips: Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 30 seconds before serving.

Make-ahead option: You can prep the layers up to the butter step, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

5 Delicious Dump Cake Variations That Never Fail

Double Chocolate Fudge Dump Cake

Use 1 can of cherry pie filling and 1 can of chocolate pudding as the base. Top with chocolate cake mix, butter, and both semi-sweet and white chocolate chips.

Black Forest Inspired

Use cherry pie filling as the base, then sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of kirsch or cherry liqueur before adding the chocolate cake mix and butter. Serve with whipped cream.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan

Layer the bottom with 1 can of apple pie filling mixed with ½ cup of caramel sauce. Top with chocolate cake mix, butter, chocolate chips, and ½ cup chopped pecans.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream

After spreading cherry pie filling, drop spoonfuls of peanut butter (about ½ cup total) across the surface. Then add chocolate cake mix, butter, and peanut butter chips.

Chocolate Orange Sensation

Use 2 cans of mandarin oranges (drained) mixed with 1 can of cherry pie filling as the base. Add 1 tablespoon of orange zest to the cake mix before sprinkling on top.

The Science Behind Why This Works

Dump cakes create their own internal structure during baking. The cake mix combines with the butter to create a crust-like topping, while the moisture from the pie filling below steams up through the cake mix, helping it cook into a soft, cake-like texture.

The result is somewhere between a cobbler, a cake, and a fruit crisp—with distinct layers that create a wonderful texture contrast in every bite.

When Dump Cake Saves The Day

This magical dessert has been my solution for:

• Last-minute dinner guests
• School bake sale contributions (that don’t look like an afterthought)
• “Mom, I forgot to tell you I need to bring something tomorrow” moments
• Cozy family movie nights
• Dessert for camping trips (it works in a Dutch oven over coals too!)
• Times when my sweet tooth is louder than my energy level

Serving Suggestions That Elevate The Experience

While dump cake is delicious on its own, these simple additions take it to the next level:

For everyday: A scoop of vanilla ice cream

For entertaining: Homemade whipped cream with a dusting of cocoa powder

For brunch gatherings: A dollop of Greek yogurt and fresh berries

For special occasions: Drizzle with warm chocolate sauce or caramel

For family fun: Set up a dump cake sundae bar with various toppings

A Final Thought On Kitchen Shortcuts

Cooking doesn’t need to be fancy—it just needs heart. And sometimes, it needs to happen with the absolute minimum time and effort while still bringing joy to the table.

This dump cake is my reminder that you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to create food memories with your family. The delight on my kids’ faces when they smell this cake baking is just as bright whether I spent 5 minutes or 50 minutes preparing it.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear which variation became your family’s favorite. Did anyone guess how simple it was to make? Those kitchen victories are the sweetest of all.

With warmth, Stuffani

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Did you make this recipe? Tag @StuffaniBorjat on Facebook and use #DailyEasyMeals so I can see your creation!

Have questions? Drop them in the comments below and I’ll help troubleshoot.

Looking for more cake mix magic? Try my Chocolate Cake Mix Brownies for another simple treat, or my Doctored Chocolate Cake Mix with Sour Cream for a more traditional cake that still starts with a box. For a gluten-free option, check out my Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Mix Recipes. Browse our complete collection of Chocolate Cake Recipes for even more inspiration!

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