Black Forest Dump Cake (Easy 4-Ingredient Chocolate Cherry Dessert)

If you love chocolate and cherries together, this Black Forest Dump Cake is going to become one of your favorite easy desserts. It has a rich chocolate topping, sweet cherry filling, and melted chocolate chips in every bite.

The best part? You only need four simple ingredients and about 10 minutes of preparation. There’s no need for a mixer, complicated baking techniques, or even a mixing bowl.

This easy chocolate cherry dump cake is perfect for Sunday family dinners, holiday gatherings, potlucks, or those evenings when you’re craving something homemade without spending hours in the kitchen.

Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a little whipped cream, and watch how quickly it disappears!

Why You’ll Love This Black Forest Dump Cake

There’s something wonderful about old-fashioned dump cake recipes. They’re easy to make, use affordable pantry ingredients, and always bring back memories of family gatherings.

Here’s why this recipe is worth trying:

• Only four ingredients: No complicated shopping list.
• Quick preparation: Ready for the oven in about 10 minutes.
• No mixing required: Simply layer everything in one baking dish.
• Rich chocolate flavor: Chocolate cake mix and chocolate chips make every bite delicious.
• Perfect for sharing: One pan serves approximately 12 people.

Unlike a traditional Black Forest cake, which usually involves multiple cake layers, frosting, and cherries, this version keeps everything simple.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need four ingredients to make this easy Black Forest Dump Cake.

2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling: The cherries create a sweet, juicy bottom layer. Regular canned cherry pie filling works perfectly.

1 box (15.25 ounces) chocolate cake mix: Use your favorite chocolate cake mix. Devil’s food cake mix is also a great option for a deeper chocolate flavor.

¾ cup unsalted butter, melted: Butter helps the dry cake mix bake into a tender, slightly crisp topping.

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: These add extra chocolate flavor and little pockets of melted chocolate throughout the dessert.

For serving, you can add whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or chocolate shavings.

How to Make Black Forest Dump Cake

This recipe couldn’t be easier. Just follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Add the Cherry Filling

Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the prepared baking dish.

Spread the filling evenly across the bottom using a spoon or spatula. Make sure the cherries reach the corners so every serving gets plenty of fruit.

Step 3: Add the Chocolate Cake Mix

Sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix evenly over the cherry filling.

Do not prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions. You won’t need the eggs, water, or oil listed on the box.

Most importantly, do not stir the layers together.

Step 4: Pour the Melted Butter

Slowly drizzle the melted butter over the dry cake mix, covering as much of the surface as possible.

Try not to leave large dry patches because they may remain powdery after baking.

Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips

Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the top.

The chocolate chips will soften during baking, adding even more chocolate goodness to this delicious dessert.

Step 6: Bake

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45–55 minutes.

The cake is ready when the cherry filling bubbles around the edges and the chocolate topping looks set without large patches of dry cake mix.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for about 10–15 minutes.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra-special treat.

Tips for the Best Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake

Even though this dessert is incredibly simple, a few little tricks can help you get the best results.

Spread everything evenly. Make sure the cherry filling and cake mix cover the entire baking dish.

Don’t stir the ingredients. Keeping the layers separate creates the classic dump cake texture.

Cover the cake mix with butter. The butter is what helps turn the dry cake mix into a delicious baked topping.

Let it cool slightly. The cherry filling will be extremely hot right out of the oven. Allowing it to rest makes serving easier.

Serve it warm. This dessert is especially delicious when the chocolate is still soft and the cherries are warm.

Easy Variations

Want to make this recipe a little different? Here are a few simple ideas.

Extra Chocolate: Use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips for a richer flavor.

Chocolate Cherry Nut Cake: Add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts before baking for a little crunch.

Classic Black Forest Style: Top each serving with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a maraschino cherry.

Extra Cherry Flavor: Add a few additional drained cherries before serving.

How to Store Leftovers

If you have leftovers, allow the cake to cool completely before storing.

Refrigerator: Cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.

Reheating: Microwave individual servings for 20–30 seconds, or until warmed through. You can also enjoy this cake chilled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cake mix?

Yes! Devil’s food chocolate cake mix works beautifully. You can also try a dark chocolate cake mix for a richer dessert.

Why is my dump cake dry on top?

This usually happens when the melted butter doesn’t reach all the dry cake mix. Make sure to drizzle the butter as evenly as possible.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake it a day ahead, refrigerate it once cooled, and reheat before serving.

Do I need to refrigerate Black Forest Dump Cake?

Yes. Store leftovers in the refrigerator in a covered container to keep them fresh.

Final Thoughts

This Black Forest Dump Cake is one of those simple desserts you’ll want to make again and again. With sweet cherries, rich chocolate, and just four ingredients, it’s an easy treat that feels special without requiring much effort.

Whether you’re making it for a holiday celebration or a regular family dinner, it’s sure to satisfy anyone who loves chocolate and cherries.

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear whether you served yours with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.