Crock Pot Cherry Dump Cake
This Crock Pot Cherry Dump Cake delivers all the comfort of a homemade dessert with just 5 minutes of prep time and 4 simple ingredients.
Your slow cooker transforms cherry pie filling, cake mix, butter, and almonds into a warm, bubbly dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
With no mixing bowls to wash and no complicated steps to follow, you’ll have this dessert assembled and cooking before your coffee gets cold.
Crock Pot Cherry Dump Cake Recipe Highlights
- 5 minutes of actual work time
- Only 4 pantry staples needed
- No eggs or oil required
- Perfect texture every single time
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
BUTTER – Use real salted butter straight from the refrigerator for the best crumbly texture. The cold temperature helps create those perfect sandy crumbles when mixed with the cake mix. If you only have unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to the cake mix.
CAKE MIX – Yellow cake mix creates a buttery, golden topping that complements the cherries perfectly. The dry mix combines with cold butter to form the signature dump cake crumble topping. Store brand works just as well as name brand here.
CHERRY PIE FILLING – Three cans give you the perfect fruit-to-topping ratio in your crock pot. The thick, gooey filling bubbles up through the crumble as it cooks. Look for pie filling rather than cherry topping for the right consistency.
ALMONDS – Sliced almonds add a subtle nutty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft cherries and tender crumble. They toast slightly during cooking for extra flavor. Skip these if you have nut allergies or simply prefer your dump cake without them.
How To Make a Crock Pot Cherry Dump Cake
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Mix cake mix and butter with fork until crumbly. Stir in almonds.
- Spread cherry filling in crock pot. Sprinkle crumble mixture over cherries.
- Cover and cook on high 2 hours.
Leftovers and Storage
STORE – Keep your Crock Pot Cherry Dump Cake covered tightly in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The topping will soften as it sits, but the flavor remains delicious.
FREEZE – While you can freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 6 months, the texture won’t be quite the same when thawed. Best enjoyed fresh.
REHEAT – Microwave individual servings for 1 to 1½ minutes on a microwave-safe plate. Let stand 1 minute before adding that essential scoop of vanilla ice cream.
MAKE AHEAD – This dessert tastes best served the same day, warm from the crock pot. The beauty of dump cake is its spontaneity, so embrace the last-minute magic.
More Easy Dump Cakes
Serving Suggestions
VANILLA ICE CREAM – The classic pairing melts into the warm cherries and creates the perfect temperature contrast to the Crock Pot Cherry Dump Cake.
WHIPPED CREAM – Fresh whipped cream adds lightness to balance the rich, buttery topping. A dollop of Cool Whip works in a pinch.
CARAMEL SAUCE – Drizzle warm caramel over each serving for an extra layer of sweetness that complements the tart cherries.
TOASTED ALMONDS – Sprinkle additional toasted sliced almonds on top for extra crunch and visual appeal when serving guests.
Recipe Success Tips
CROCK POT SIZE MATTERS – Use a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker for even cooking. Smaller crock pots may overflow, while larger ones spread the ingredients too thin.
DON’T STIR – Resist the urge to mix the layers together. The magic happens when the cherry filling bubbles up through the crumble topping naturally.
CHECK AT 90 MINUTES – Every crock pot cooks differently. Start checking at 1½ hours to prevent over-browning, especially if your slow cooker runs hot.
Expert Tip – Keep the lid on during cooking. Each peek adds 15-20 minutes to your cooking time and prevents proper steam buildup.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I Use Fresh Or Frozen Cherries Instead?
Fresh or frozen cherries require additional sugar and thickener to achieve the right consistency. Stick with canned pie filling for guaranteed success and the signature dump cake texture.
Can I Double This Crock Pot Cherry Dump Cake Recipe?
Yes, but use a 6-quart or larger crock pot and add 30 minutes to the cooking time. The center needs extra time to heat through with doubled ingredients.
Why Is My Topping Still Pale After 2 Hours?
Some crock pots have weaker heating elements. Continue cooking in 30-minute increments until you see golden edges. The topping firms up more as it cools.
Can I Make This With Other Pie Fillings?
Absolutely! Try apple, blueberry, or peach pie filling with the same measurements. Match chocolate cake mix with cherry for a Black Forest version.
More Dump Cake Recipes
Crock Pot Cherry Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 1 13.25-ounce box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup butter salted, cold, sliced thin
- 3 21-ounce cans cherry pie filling
- ½ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Combine cake mix and butter in a large bowl using a fork or clean hands until the mixture forms sandy crumbles. It will look dry and that is expected.
- Stir in almonds and mix thoroughly. Set aside.
- Spread cherry pie filling evenly over the bottom of the crockpot. Sprinkle crumble mixture evenly over the cherry filling.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or until the top starts to turn golden.
- Uncover and serve warm.
Equipment
Notes
Slow Cooker Times
ON LOW – not applicableON HIGH – 2 hours
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.
I have a question about baking it in the oven if you don’t want to use your crockpot. If it all doesn’t get eaten how do you get it out of the crockpot. If you can bake it in the oven, what is the temperature and for how long do you bake it.
Thank You
If you’re concerned about getting sticky leftovers out of the crockpot, try spraying the slow cooker with baking spray before adding ingredients. As for the oven method, you could bake the Crockpot Cherry Dump Cake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes. BUT only if your slow cooker has an oven-safe removable insert (check your manual). Otherwise, my traditional oven-baked Cherry Dump Cake recipe might be a better fit.