When you need a decadent, chocolatey dessert but want to spend absolutely zero time washing mixing bowls, a dump cake is your perfect shortcut. As you can see in image_53908c.jpg, this Cherry Cola Dump Cake pairs a rich, fudge-like chocolate crust with bright, plump cherries bursting through the surface. The secret ingredient? A splash of classic cola that reacts with the cake mix to create an incredibly moist, tender texture. It’s effortless, nostalgic, and always a huge hit!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The Easiest Clean-Up: No bowls, no whisks, and no heavy prep—everything is assembled directly in your baking dish.
- Fudgy & Fruity Flavor: The deep, rich chocolate cake mix perfectly complements the sweet, tangy bite of the cherry pie filling.
- Stunning Visual Contrast: As shown in image_53908c.jpg, the cherries bubble up through the chocolate cake layer as it bakes, creating a gorgeous presentation.
🛒 Ingredients
- 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
- 1 box (15.25 oz) devil’s food cake mix (or regular chocolate cake mix)
- ¾ cup classic cola (not diet, as the real sugar helps the bake)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted (or cut into thin pats)
- Optional for serving: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Space
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2: Dump the Cherry Base
Spread both cans of cherry pie filling evenly along the bottom of your prepared baking dish. If you like a distinct look like the one in image_53908c.jpg, save a small handful of whole cherries from the can to press right onto the top layer later!
Step 3: Layer the Chocolate Cake Mix
Open your box of chocolate cake mix and sprinkle the dry powder evenly over the top of the cherries. Use a spatula or fork to smooth it out to the edges, ensuring there are no large, dry clumps. Do not stir the cake mix into the fruit.
Step 4: Add the Cola and Butter
Slowly pour the ¾ cup of cola over the dry cake mix, trying to wet as much of the powder as possible. Next, drizzle the melted butter evenly over any remaining dry spots. The liquid will naturally absorb into the cake mix as it heats up, turning it into a fudgy, rich crust.
Step 5: Dot with Cherries and Bake
If you reserved any whole cherries, dot them gently across the surface as pictured in image_53908c.jpg. Pop the dish into the center rack of your oven and bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the chocolate cake layer is set and the cherry filling is bubbling lazily around the edges.
Let it cool for about 10 minutes so the fruit filling can set slightly, then scoop it up warm!
💡 Quick Variations to Try
- Black Forest Upgrade: Stir ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dry cake mix layer before adding the liquids for an extra-fudgy surprise.
- Dr Pepper Twist: Swap out the classic cola for Dr Pepper or cherry cola to enhance the dark fruit notes of the dessert.