Sinkology: Chocolate Covered Cherry Dump Cake

Sinkology is proud to present Emily Schuermann, our food-loving guest blogger who runs Food for a Year. Emily is here to share some recipes she has created exclusively for the Sinkology blog that reflect her view of a copper sink: simple, timeless, affordable, and beautifully rustic.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Dump Cake! This recipe is dangerous. A boxed cake mix and canned pie filling make this dump cake dessert so easy to whip up – and the result?! The most moist, gooey, chocolatey dessert :: all the homemade flavors of chocolate covered cherries with minimal effort!

Before I get into the recipe details, I have to say that I’ve noticed an emerging food trend and I bet as soon as I explain what I’m noticing, you’ll agree! Simple, small-portioned comfort desserts – right?! We don’t really have a need for large desserts that serve lots of people and that changes how we cook and bake.

But we’re also gravitating to simple comfort foods. And cake mixes are an excellent tool to bring comfort into the home EASILY.

So, those new trends are the inspiration for this Chocolate Covered Cherry Dump Cake.

Start off with 2 staple store bought ingredients ::

Devil’s Food cake mix
cherry pie filling

A store-bought cake mix is an excellent baking hack!

Inside that little cake mix box are all the things that lay the foundation for yummy, simple dessert-making. It’s got the perfect proportions of flour, sugar, leavening agent and flavorings. To bring a little homemade goodness into this recipe, we’ll add a few basic pantry staples:

milk
oil
sour cream
eggs
salt
vanilla

4 Easy Steps

Dump Cakes are a fantastic recipe because (like the name says), the steps are dump, mix, spread and bake. This particular recipe has been developed with a one-time serving in mind. Small portions are perfect for a one-time treat but if you need a larger portion, instructions to make a 9″ x 13″ dump cake are attached in the notes section of this recipe.

Mix the batter
Spread it in the baking dish
Top with cherry pie filling
Sprinkle with chocolate chunks and drizzle with butter

Once the dessert is assembled, simply bake until the center is just set, approximately 35 minutes, and then allow to cool slightly before serving.

The cake batter rises above the cherry pie filling and the chocolate chunks settle into the middle — and the result? A gooey, chocolatey cherry-filled dessert. It’s like a chocolate covered cherry explosion!

Chocolate Covered Cherry Dump Cake

1 1/2 c devil’s food cake mix
1/2 c milk (I used whole milk)
2 T canola oil
1/4 c sour cream
1 egg
1/8 t salt
1/2 t vanilla
1 – 21 oz can cherry pie filling
1 c chocolate chunks
3 T melted salted butter
sweetened whipped cream and chocolate syrup (for topping)

Preheat oven to 350°. Butter an 11″ x 7″ baking dish.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine first 7 ingredients. Mix completely and then spread into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Top with cherry pie filling, spreading evenly.

Sprinkle with chocolate chunks and drizzle with melted butter.

Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips.

Bake 35 minutes or until center is almost set (only a slight jiggle when tapped).

Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Serve with sweetened whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

NOTE – this recipe can be doubled. Use the entire cake mix and double remaining ingredients. Place in a 9″ x 13″ dish. Bake time will need to be increased (approximately 45-50 minutes.).