Get ready to infuse your holiday season with a touch of magic and an abundance of flavor! We’re thrilled to share one of our absolute favorite, incredibly easy dessert recipes: the **Chocolate Peppermint Cherry Dump Cake**. This festive confection is a celebration of classic holiday flavors, combining the rich decadence of chocolate, the sweet tang of cherries, and the invigorating coolness of peppermint, all in one surprisingly simple-to-prepare cake. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe promises to deliver a delightful dessert that looks impressive but requires minimal effort, making it perfect for busy holiday preparations.
Festive Chocolate Peppermint Cherry Dump Cake: An Easy Holiday Delight
Dump cakes have long been a secret weapon for home bakers seeking maximum flavor with minimal fuss. The beauty of a dump cake lies in its name: you simply “dump” the ingredients into a baking dish, and the oven (or slow cooker) does the rest of the work. This particular recipe elevates the traditional dump cake by introducing a symphony of holiday-inspired tastes that are sure to become a beloved tradition in your home.
The Magic of Dump Cakes: Effortless Dessert Perfection
If you’re new to the world of dump cakes, prepare to be amazed. This style of cake is renowned for its straightforward approach, typically involving just a few staple ingredients like cake mix, pie filling, and butter. The result is a moist, flavorful cake with a delicious, fruit-infused base and a tender, crumbly top. They are incredibly versatile, allowing for endless flavor combinations, from fruity and tropical to rich and decadent. Our Chocolate Peppermint Cherry Dump Cake is a testament to this versatility, proving that simple can truly be spectacular, especially when infused with the spirit of the holidays.
Historically, many of our favorite dump cake creations have been crafted in the slow cooker, yielding beautifully moist results with virtually no hands-on time. However, for this special holiday rendition, we decided to try something a little different: baking it in the oven. The oven method allows for a slightly crispier top crust while still maintaining that wonderfully gooey, fruit-filled interior that makes dump cakes so irresistible. Don’t worry, though; if you prefer the classic slow cooker method, this recipe is easily adaptable to your trusty crockpot!
Why Chocolate, Peppermint, and Cherry Are a Match Made in Holiday Heaven
The combination of chocolate, peppermint, and cherry creates a flavor profile that is quintessentially festive. Rich, dark chocolate perfectly complements the bright, tart sweetness of cherry pie filling, while a hint of refreshing peppermint extract adds a wonderful zing that cuts through the richness and evokes the cheerful essence of winter holidays. This cake is not just a dessert; it’s an experience, a delightful treat that captures the joy and warmth of the season in every bite.
As the holiday season approaches, our kitchen transforms into a hub of festive baking. The aroma of spices, chocolate, and peppermint fills the air, setting the perfect mood for celebration. Do you have a cherished holiday baking tradition or a go-to recipe that signals the start of the festive season for you? We’d love to hear about your favorites and perhaps inspire others with your culinary traditions!
For those who adore effortless holiday treats, our Crock Pot Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake Recipe is another fantastic choice that brings warmth and sweetness to any gathering. And if you’re looking for simple, heartfelt DIY gifts this holiday season, you absolutely must try our Crock Pot Sugared Walnuts Recipe – they are incredibly easy to make and undeniably delicious, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
We’ve gathered all our beloved dump cake recipes in one convenient list, making it easier than ever for you to explore the endless possibilities of this delightful dessert category. From fruity concoctions to rich, chocolatey delights, there’s a dump cake for every occasion and every palate.
Tips for the Perfect Chocolate Peppermint Cherry Dump Cake
- Quality Ingredients: While dump cakes are simple, using good quality ingredients can make a noticeable difference. A rich devil’s food cake mix and a flavorful cherry pie filling will enhance the overall taste.
- Even Spreading: Ensure the cherry pie filling is spread evenly at the bottom of the pan to allow for consistent cooking and a balanced flavor in every bite.
- Butter Distribution: Drizzling the melted butter evenly over the dry cake mix is crucial. The butter combines with the cake mix during baking to create that delicious, crumbly topping. Don’t stir it in!
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the cake during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. You want the topping to be golden brown and the edges bubbly, but not overly dry.
- Cooling Time: While delicious warm, allowing the cake to cool slightly before serving helps the layers set and makes it easier to scoop.
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Pairings
This Chocolate Peppermint Cherry Dump Cake is phenomenal on its own, but it truly shines when paired with a few simple garnishes. A dollop of freshly whipped cream provides a light, airy contrast to the dense cake, while a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies or chocolate shavings adds extra texture and a burst of flavor. For an even more indulgent experience, serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the ice cream to melt slightly into the warm cake, creating a truly irresistible dessert.
Consider serving this cake after a hearty holiday meal, perhaps alongside a warm beverage like a peppermint mocha or a mulled wine, to complete the festive ambiance. It’s also an excellent choice for potlucks, family gatherings, or as a thoughtful homemade gift for neighbors and friends.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This dump cake is best enjoyed fresh and warm from the oven. However, leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can gently reheat individual servings in the microwave for a few seconds to restore some of its warmth and gooey texture. Unfortunately, dump cakes do not typically freeze well due to the pie filling becoming watery upon thawing.
Other Great Holiday Recipes to Inspire Your Baking
If you’re enjoying the holiday baking spirit, here are a few more festive recipes from our kitchen to yours:
- Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies: Easy, vibrant, and perfectly chewy cookies for any celebration.
- Bourbon Cherry Brownies: A sophisticated twist on a classic, offering rich flavors for adult palates.
- White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies: A delightful combination of sweet white chocolate and refreshing peppermint.
- Tiramisu Martini: A decadent, dessert-inspired cocktail perfect for holiday entertaining.
Explore our extensive collection of delicious recipes, including more Cake Mix Recipes, our popular copycat recipes, a wide array of dessert recipes, and our convenient Crock Pot Recipes for everyday ease.
Chocolate Peppermint Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
15 minutes
50 minutes
1 hour 5 minutes
16
252
kcal
Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 40 oz cherry pie filling (2 cans)
- 15.25 Ounce Devil’s Food Cake Mix
- ¾ cup Butter (melted)
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips
- Whipped cream and peppermint pieces (to garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Melt the butter in a small saucepan and remove from heat. Stir in the peppermint extract. Set aside.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the prepared pan. Using a rubber spatula, spread the pie filling into an even layer at the bottom.
- Evenly sprinkle the dry devil’s food cake mix over the cherry pie filling. Do not stir.
- Drizzle the melted peppermint butter evenly over the cake mix. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
- Bake for 55 minutes to 1 hour, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving. Spoon the warm cake into individual serving dishes and garnish with whipped cream, a scoop of ice cream, and additional crushed peppermint pieces. Enjoy!
Kitchen Tools
- 9×13 Inch Baking Pan
- Small Saucepan
- Rubber Spatula
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 135
Love this recipe?
Follow @TammileeTIps on Pinterest
Tried this recipe?
Mention @TammileeTipsLife when you share a photo!
We hope this Chocolate Peppermint Cherry Dump Cake brings a little extra joy and ease to your holiday celebrations. Its simple preparation, delightful flavors, and festive presentation make it an undeniable winner for any gathering. Happy baking, and happy holidays!
Recipe originally shared on December 22, 2016. Updated October 2020. This version further revised and expanded for clarity, SEO, and user experience in [Current Year].