Black Forest Dump Cake Recipe {4 Ingredients}

Name: Black Forest Dump Cake
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 43 min
Ingredients: 2 cans cherry pie filling (21oz cans); 1 box Devil's Food cake mix (15oz box); 1 jar maraschino cherries (16oz jar, undrained); 1 bottle Dr. Pepper (12oz bottle)

Black Forest Dump Cake turns simple ingredients into a quick, easy, and decadently delicious dessert that resembles a Black Forest cobbler. This best-of-both-worlds treat, combining chocolate and cherry in every bite, is a must-try for anyone looking for a quick fix to their sweet cravings.

A spatula with a slice of black forest dump cake over a pan.

Craving something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? You are in luck. This Black Forest dump cake is sure to satisfy those cravings. With a delicious cherry pie filling base and yummy chocolate cake mix top, this quick and easy take on traditional black forest cake gives you all the flavors you crave without all the fuss.

Perfect for potlucks, parties, and gatherings and even just a sweet snack, this Black Forest dump cake is a must-try. This recipe uses only a few simple ingredients, and with a few simple steps, you will have an amazing dessert in what seems like no time. The rich chocolate flavor makes this perfect for every chocolate lover, and the juicy cherries balance the richness. Make this for your next potluck, and watch it disappear super fast.

Why You’ll Love Black Forest Dump Cake

Quick and Easy: This chocolate cherry dump cake recipe is super quick and easy to make. It takes only 3 minutes of prep time and 40 minutes of baking until it is complete and uses super simple ingredients. In no time, you will be enjoying a delicious dessert. This is the easiest cake recipe that is done in so little time.
Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for get-togethers, picnics, and potlucks, this decadent dessert is an absolute crowd-pleaser. The classic combination of chocolate and cherries is sure to please several palates, making this a great recipe for any season or special occasion.
Customizable: Aside from how easy it is to make, one of the best parts of this recipe is the fact that it is so easily customizable. You can easily swap out the canned and boxed ingredients for your favorite recipes, change the flavor profile by opting for different add-ins, or serve it alongside any of your favorite accompaniments.
Classic Flavors: This Black Forest dump cake recipe combines the classic flavors of black forest cake without all the fuss. Enjoy the classic flavors without having to spend hours on end in the kitchen.

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Cherry pie filling
Devil’s food cake mix
Maraschino cherries
Soda (i.e. Dr. Pepper)

Ingredients to make black forest dump cake.

How to Make Black Forest Dump Cake

Step One: Preheat oven to 350F.
Step Two: Pour pie filling into the bottom of the pan.
Step Three: Pour cake mix over top.
Step Four: Pour soda over the cake mix and gently mix the cake mix layer to incorporate soda.

Step Five: Pour maraschino cherries with syrup over the cake and gently remix the cake layer, saturating any dry cake spots.
Step Six: Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 40 minutes.

Equipment Needed

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What to Serve with Black Forest Dump Cake

Serve Black Forest Dump Cake with your favorite side dishes and accompaniments to make it a complete dessert.

A piece of black forest dump cake on a plate with a fork.

Variations and Substitutions

Cake Mix Flavor: While the recipe calls for devil’s food cake mix, you can experiment with other cake mix flavors such as chocolate, chocolate fudge, or even white cake mix. The box of cake mix you choose to use will change the flavor of the cake, creating an entirely new flavor profile.
Pie Filling: While cherry pie filling is classic for a Black Forest flavor, you can try other fruit pie fillings like blueberry, raspberry, or apple for a different twist. Doing this will make it an entirely different cake; however, it will still be delicious.
Soda: The recipe uses soda (such as Dr. Pepper) to add moisture and flavor to the cake. For a unique taste, you can try using different sodas like cola, cherry cola, or even fruit-flavored sodas. You can use any dark soda in this recipe; pay attention to the flavor.
Nuts: If you like some crunch, add chopped nuts like almonds or pecans to the cake mix before baking. This will create a fun textural experience.
Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle chocolate chips over the cake mix layer before baking for extra chocolatey goodness. This will enhance the chocolate flavor and create a fun, rich texture to the cake.
Whipped Cream: Serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for added richness. Combining this cake with ice cream or whipped cream makes for a delicious treat, especially when warm.
Alcohol Infusion: For an adult version, you can infuse the cake with a touch of cherry liqueur, like Kirsch, before baking. This will add depth of flavor to the cake.
Fresh Fruit: If you prefer fresh fruit over canned, use pitted fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries. You can also layer in other fresh fruits like sliced strawberries.
Toppings: After baking, sprinkle powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or chocolate shavings on top for a decorative touch.

Storage Instructions

It is doubtful that you will end up with leftovers of this delicious dessert. Chances are it will be devoured long before you can save it. If you do, however, end up with leftovers, this easy dessert recipe can be stored in the fridge. Simply cover it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will last for about four days.

A slice of black forest dump cake on a plate.

Can I Freeze?

Yes. You can store your chocolate cherry cake in the freezer. Simply make sure it is covered and in a freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Gentle Mixing: Be gentle as you mix the cake mixture and soda layers. You don’t need to combine them like a traditional cake batter completely. A few lumps are okay and will dissolve during baking.
Saturate Dry Spots: Ensure that the soda and pie filling moisten the cake mix. Use the back of a spoon to gently press down any dry spots, ensuring all the cake mix is in contact with the liquid.
Allow it to Cool: You will want your cake to cool just a bit before serving it. This will make it easier to cut and serve as the layers will set.
Check for Doneness: Test the cake’s doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake layer. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.

What is Black Forest Cake?

Black Forest Cake is also known as Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte in German. It is an iconic dessert from the Black Forest region in Germany. It is a layer cake that consists of layers that typically are made up of several components like chocolate cake layers, cherry filling, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and cherry topping. This cake has become incredibly popular worldwide and is commonly found on dessert menus and in bakeries.

What is a Dump Cake?

A dump cake is a type of dessert that requires minimal effort. Its simple and rustic characteristics make it a family-friendly recipe that is great for serving a crowd. It is called dump cake because all the ingredients are dumped into a baking dish and then baked.

Dump Cake Recipes

FAQ

How many servings does this cake make?

This Black Forest dump cake recipe makes about 12 servings. It is perfect for feeding a crowd.

Does this recipe take long to make?

No. This recipe takes only 3 minutes of prep time and 40 minutes of baking time.

Cake Recipes

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5 from 3 votes