Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable treat! We are absolutely thrilled to share our Crock Pot Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake recipe – a dessert so effortlessly simple, yet so incredibly delicious, it will become an instant family favorite. If you’re a fan of rich chocolate, luscious cherries, and the convenience of your slow cooker, you’ve found your next culinary obsession.

Why You Need This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake in Your Life

Let’s be honest, chocolate has a magical way of making almost anything amazing. Combine that deep, comforting flavor with the tart and sweet burst of cherries, and you’ve got a dessert masterpiece. What makes this recipe truly exceptional is its “dump cake” nature, elevated by the hands-free convenience of a crock pot. Forget spending hours in the kitchen; this dessert practically makes itself.

This delightful creation is a chocolate-infused twist on one of our most popular slow cooker desserts, the Crock-Pot Cherry Dump Cake. The inspiration for this chocolate version came from an amazing reader, who suggested incorporating chocolate cake mix, and we couldn’t be more grateful for such a brilliant idea!

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, hosting a casual gathering, or simply craving a comforting dessert on a quiet evening, this cake fits the bill perfectly. For us, any day is a good day for chocolate and cherries!

What Exactly is a Dump Cake?

A dump cake is a wonderfully simple dessert that gets its name from the minimal effort required to assemble it – you essentially “dump” all the ingredients into a baking dish or slow cooker. Typically, it involves a fruit base, topped with a dry cake mix, and then butter or another fat is added to create a moist, crumbly, and cake-like topping as it bakes. The beauty of a dump cake lies in its rustic charm, incredibly easy preparation, and comforting, home-baked flavor without any fuss.

The Magic of Slow Cooker Desserts

Using a slow cooker for desserts might sound unconventional to some, but it’s a game-changer! The even, gentle heat of a crock pot ensures your cake cooks thoroughly without drying out, resulting in an incredibly moist and tender texture. It frees up your oven for other dishes, makes cleanup a breeze, and is perfect for potlucks or when you want a warm dessert simmering away without constant supervision. Imagine coming home to the irresistible aroma of chocolate and cherries – that’s the slow cooker advantage!

In today’s busy world, finding moments of sweetness and simplicity is more important than ever. This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake was our perfect escape, a little slice of comfort amidst the daily hustle. It’s an ideal recipe for when you want a rich, satisfying dessert with minimal effort.

Elevate Your Dessert: Serving Suggestions and Variations

While this Crock Pot Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake is undeniably delicious on its own, a few simple additions can take it to the next level of decadence. We love serving it warm, allowing the gooey chocolate and tender cherries to meld together beautifully. Consider these delightful pairings:

• French Vanilla Ice Cream: The creamy coolness of vanilla ice cream provides a perfect contrast to the warm, rich cake. Other flavors like cherry swirl, chocolate fudge, or even a simple vanilla bean would also be divine.
• Fresh Whipped Cream: A dollop of light, airy homemade whipped cream adds a touch of elegance and balances the sweetness. For an extra touch, infuse your whipped cream with a hint of almond extract or cherry liqueur.
• Chocolate Sauce Drizzle: For the ultimate chocolate lover, a generous drizzle of warm chocolate fudge or ganache over each serving creates an even more luxurious experience.
• Fresh Cherries: Garnish with a few fresh, pitted cherries for a vibrant visual appeal and an added burst of fresh fruit flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: A light dusting of confectioners’ sugar adds a simple yet elegant finish.
• Chopped Nuts: A sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts can add a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with variations too! You can easily double the amount of cherry pie filling for an extra fruit-forward cake, or add a handful of chocolate chips to the dry cake mix for an intense chocolate boost. A touch of almond extract in the cherry filling can also enhance the fruit notes beautifully. For a richer chocolate experience, consider using a dark chocolate fudge cake mix.

Essential Ingredients for Your Dump Cake

One of the many charms of this recipe is its minimal ingredient list. You’ll only need three key items to create this spectacular dessert:

• Cherry Pie Filling: We recommend a good quality canned cherry pie filling. You can opt for a standard sweet cherry or a tart cherry filling if you prefer a less sweet dessert. One 42-ounce can is ideal for a standard slow cooker.
• Chocolate Cake Mix: A classic chocolate cake mix or a Devil’s Food cake mix works wonderfully. Devil’s Food will give you a deeper, richer chocolate flavor. No need to add eggs, oil, or water – you’re just using the dry mix!
• Butter: Unsalted butter is generally preferred for baking, but salted butter will also work. The butter helps create that delicious, crumbly cake topping as it melts and bakes into the dry cake mix.

Simple Equipment You’ll Need

• Crockpot (Slow Cooker): A 6-quart or larger slow cooker is ideal for this recipe.
• Large Spoon: For mixing the cake mix and butter, and for serving.

More Delicious Dump Cake Recipes to Try

If you love the ease and deliciousness of dump cakes, be sure to explore our other fantastic recipes:

• Apple Spice Dump Cake Recipe
• Pumpkin Dump Cake
• Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake

Don’t miss all our dump cake recipes and cake mix recipes. We also have a ton of recipes with Cherry Pie Filling.

Crock Pot Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

Learn how to make a delicious and incredibly easy slow cooker chocolate cherry dump cake! This dessert is perfect for family gatherings, parties, or a simple sweet treat.

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Print Recipe

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
4 hours

Total Time:
4 hours 5 minutes

Servings:
8

Calories:
102 kcal

Author:
Tammilee Tips

Ingredients

• 42 Ounce Cherry Pie Filling
• 1 box chocolate cake mix (or Devil’s Food Cake Mix)
• ½ cup Butter

Instructions

1. Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Pour the entire can of cherry pie filling into the prepared crock pot, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the dry chocolate cake mix with the softened butter. Use your fingers or a pastry blender to mix until the butter is fully incorporated and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This creates the delicious, cake-like topping.
3. Evenly sprinkle the cake mix and butter crumb mixture over the cherry pie filling in the crock pot. Do not stir! Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 4 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 2 hours. The cake is done when the topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cakey parts comes out mostly clean.
4. Once cooked, turn off the slow cooker and let the cake cool slightly before serving. The dessert will firm up a bit as it cools, making it easier to scoop.

Kitchen Tools

• Slow cooker (6-quart recommended)

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Crock Pot Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 102
Calories from Fat 108

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% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Cholesterol 31mg10%

Sodium 101mg4%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 1g2%

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Vitamin A 355IU7%

Calcium 3mg0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe originally shared February 6, 2014. Updated and enhanced on March 12, 2020.

We hope you enjoy this incredibly simple and satisfying Crock Pot Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake. It’s a testament to how easily you can create something truly special with minimal effort. Happy cooking!