Name: Chocolate Cherry Crisp Dump Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups frozen pitted cherries (when measuring, it's better to go a little above the cup rim than below); 2 tbsp cornstarch; 1/2 cup granulated white sugar; 1/2 cup chocolate cake mix (the book provides a from-scratch cake mix recipe but you can also use your favorite boxed cake mix); 1/2 cup quick oats; 1/4 cup unsalted butter (sliced into 1/4 inch thick squares); sliced almonds; powdered sugar; fresh cherries (pitted and sliced into halves); ice cream

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This easy chocolate cherry dump cake is perfect to make for a summer party. Just dump several ingredients in a baking pan and bake. No need to mix, whisk, or whip anything! photo of two bowls of Chocolate Cherry Crisp Dump Cake

This recipe is from my Dump Cakes from Scratch* cookbook. With the Fourth of July right around the corner, I wanted to share some easy dessert ideas and it doesn’t get much easier than a dump cake. (You can check out my video to see how easy it is at the end of this post.)

Last year, I made my blueberry cobbler dump cake for several potlucks. I am thinking of making it again for July 4th, especially since blueberries fit the holiday colors.

However, with it being cherry season, I’ve been consuming cherries like crazy. I hate how short cherry season is so I always buy and eat as many as I possibly can before it’s over.

Chocolate Cherry Crisp Made Easy

I rarely ever see chocolate crisps or cobblers but I’m not really sure why because I think the chocolate flavor works quite nicely with most fruits.

You can use a box of chocolate cake mix for this recipe. Or you can make it from scratch using the homemade mix in my book. Either works well, but making from scratch takes a little longer.

This chocolate crisp has a thin layer of cake mix mixed with oats. It’s more of a soft crisp topping, but you can make it a little crunchier with some sliced almonds. Since crisps aren’t usually the most flattering of desserts, I added some fresh cherry halves and powdered sugar on top.

I then topped it with chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla since it’s a chocolate crisp.

How to Make a Dump Cake

You don’t need a bowl for this recipe because you can just layer the ingredients in a baking dish. You don’t even need a whisk.

Spread frozen pitted cherries in an even layer in a greased baking dish. Sprinkle sugar and cornstarch over the top of the cherries.

Sprinkle the cake mix over the top followed by the oats. Top with sliced butter.

Bake the cake for 40 to 45 minutes at 350°F. After it’s been in the oven for 25 minutes, check on it. If there is dry cake mix on top, use a spoon to press it into the cake so it’s absorbed, and then let it finish baking.

Topping Ideas

I like to add some toppings before serving it with ice cream.

Sliced almonds
Powdered sugar
Pitted fresh cherries

I like to serve it warm from the oven, but it’s delicious at room temperature, too. It’s great for parties and potlucks because it’s easy to transport, too.

More Easy Cake Recipes

Here is a video of me making the crisp:

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