Cherry Almond Dump Cake is a delightful dessert that comes together with minimal effort, perfect for when you need a quick cake recipe. You’ll love its tender crumb and fruity almond flavor, making it an ideal treat for any occasion.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions:
- Cherry Pie Filling: You can swap this for any fruit pie filling you enjoy, like apple, peach, or blueberry.
- Yellow Cake Mix: A white or vanilla cake mix also works beautifully.
- Almond Extract: While optional, it enhances the almond flavor; vanilla extract can be used as an alternative.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is best; margarine can be used in a pinch.
Ingredients:
- 2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional, for topping)
How Much Time Will You Need?
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Calories per serving: Approximately 450
- Tools Needed: 9×13 inch baking dish
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking. This ensures your quick cake recipe releases easily.
2. Layer the Cherry Filling
Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the prepared baking dish. If using, stir in the almond extract evenly throughout the cherries. Spread the filling into an even layer.
3. Sprinkle the Cake Mix
Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the cherry filling. Do not stir it in; this creates a distinct crumbly topping. This is a key step for a classic dump cake.
4. Add the Melted Butter
Drizzle the melted butter over the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the cake mix as possible to ensure a golden, crispy crust. This forms the delicious top layer of your quick cake recipe.
5. Bake Your Dump Cake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. The top should be golden brown and the cherry filling bubbly around the edges. If desired, sprinkle the sliced almonds over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Variation Ideas:
- Chocolate Cherry: Use a chocolate cake mix instead of yellow.
- Tropical Twist: Swap cherry pie filling for pineapple or peach, and use a vanilla cake mix.
- Nutty Crunch: Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans along with the sliced almonds.
Storage Instructions:
Store any leftover Cherry Almond Dump Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can warm individual servings in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or heat the entire dish in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q: Can you use a sugar-free cake mix?
A: Yes, you can use a sugar-free cake mix if you prefer. The texture should remain similar.
Q: Do you really not stir the cake mix?
A: That’s right! Not stirring is essential for the dump cake’s unique crumbly topping and quick cake recipe success.
Q: Can this be made ahead of time?
A: You can assemble it a few hours in advance and keep it refrigerated before baking.
Q: What do you serve with dump cake?
A: It’s delicious on its own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream elevates it.
Q: Why is it called a “dump cake”?
A: It’s called a dump cake because you simply “dump” all the ingredients into a baking dish without much mixing. This makes it a fantastic quick cake recipe.
Q: Can you use fresh cherries?
A: While you could, you would need to cook them down with sugar and thickener first, which defeats the “dump” purpose of this quick cake recipe. Canned pie filling is recommended.