Cherry Brownie Dump Cake: Easy 3-Ingredient Dessert

We found a new treasure at our recent church potluck meal. Cherry Brownie Dump Cake: the easy 3-Ingredient dessert everyone loved is proof that some of the best recipes come from a little creativity in the kitchen.

If you like gooey chocolate desserts, you have got to give this one a try!

Quick Take:

Looking for an easy dessert recipe with just three ingredients? This Cherry Brownie Dump Cake combines cherry pie filling, chewy fudge brownie mix, and butter to create a rich, gooey dessert that is perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, holidays, and weeknight treats.

Simple to make and impossible to resist, this crowd-pleasing recipe had people going back for seconds, thirds, and even fourths!

The Easy 3 Ingredient Dessert Everyone Loved

Last week at our monthly church potluck, my friend Diane Wheat brought a dessert that quickly became the talk of the room. Everyone who tried it loved it, and before long, people were asking for the recipe.

The funny thing is, Diane didn’t pull this recipe from a family cookbook or recipe box. She simply got creative, combined a few ingredients she had on hand, and hoped for the best. The result was a rich, gooey dessert that disappeared almost as quickly as it was served.

Several people went back for seconds, and one gentleman liked it so much that he returned for four helpings!

I love easy dump cake recipes, in fact, my go-to in the fall and winter is my Caramel Apple Dump Cake made with apple pie filling, caramels, and a yellow cake mix.

After having the one Diane made with cherries and brownies, I had to try making it myself. 

I made it over Father’s Day weekend, and I can honestly say it is one of the easiest desserts I’ve made in a long time. With only three ingredients and very little prep work, this recipe is perfect when you need a quick dessert for family gatherings, church potlucks, holidays, or just a sweet treat one night.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

• Only 3 simple ingredients – You don’t need a long shopping list to make this dessert. In fact, you may already have these common ingredients in your pantry.
• Quick and easy recipe – There are no mixing bowls, no complicated steps, and very little cleanup.
• Perfect dessert for large groups – This recipe easily serves a crowd and travels well, making it ideal for church dinners, potlucks, family reunions, holiday gatherings, or any special occasion.
• Rich and gooey – If you love chocolate-covered cherries, you’ll love this combination of rich brownie topping and sweet cherry filling. It is the perfect combination!

How to Make Cherry Brownie Dump Cake

If you like Black Forest Cake, you will love this dessert. The combination of warm chocolate and sweet cherries is absolutely delicious.

Ingredients

If you notice, there is only 1 stick of butter in the picture. Diane did not tell me how much butter she added, so I started with 1 stick. However, as I was putting it together, I decided to add another 1/2 of a stick. I really liked this amount. You can’t have too much butter! 🙂

Detailed Instructions

Important Note: This dessert remains wonderfully gooey inside, so a toothpick test will not work. Instead, judge how done it is by the appearance of the top layer. There will be a few powdery spots left, but that is fine.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm on its own or pair it with:

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream – It is the perfect complement!
• Whipped cream
• A drizzle of chocolate syrup
• Fresh cherries for garnish
• For an even sweeter version, add a few semi-sweet chocolate chips.

The combination of warm chocolate and sweet cherries is absolutely delicious.

Helpful Kitchen Items

Helpful kitchen tools:

• 9×13 baking dish
• Boot tray (for traveling)
• Non-stick cooking sprayer

Printable Recipe Card – Cherry Brownie Dump Cake

Cherry Brownie Dump Cake

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Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cans cherry pie filling
• 1 box Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix, dry
• 1½ sticks butter, cut into pats

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F, and grease a baking dish with non-stick spray or butter.
2. Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the bottom of your prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
3. Sprinkle the dry brownie mix evenly over the top of the cherry pie filling. Do not prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions. Simply use the dry mix straight from the box.
4. Place pats of butter evenly across the surface of the brownie mix. As it bakes, the melted butter will cover most of the dry spots.
5. Bake in a 350° preheated oven (on the middle rack) for approximately 45 minutes or until the top appears baked and slightly crisp.

Notes

This dessert remains wonderfully gooey inside, so a toothpick test will not work. Instead, judge doneness by the appearance of the top layer. There will be a few powdery spots left, but that is fine.

If you love quick and easy desserts like this, be sure to check out some of my other easy ones:

• Granny’s Chess Cake
• Banana Pudding Two Ways
• Pumpkin Delight Cobbler
• Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
• Easy Turtle Cheesecake (The Cheat Version)

Faith Reflection

One of my favorite things about church potlucks isn’t the food, it’s the fellowship. Throughout Scripture, we see people gathering around tables, sharing meals, and building relationships. 

A simple dessert may seem like a small thing, but gathering around a table gives us opportunities to encourage one another, share life’s joys and burdens, and strengthen friendships. Sometimes God uses something as simple as a homemade dessert to create moments of connection and community.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use a different pie filling?
  • Yes – Apple, blueberry, blackberry, peach, or strawberry pie filling would all work well. Experiment with the combinations.
• Can I use a different brownie mix?
  • Absolutely. Any brownie mix should work, although the Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix creates a particularly rich topping. You can also use a chocolate cake mix instead.
• Do I need to mix the brownie batter first?
  • No. Simply sprinkle the dry mix over the cherry pie filling. If you prefer cake mix instead of brownies, be sure to use the dry cake mix as well.
• How should I store leftovers?
  • Cover with aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or place in an airtight container and refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days.
• Can this dessert be served warm and cold?
  • Yes! Many people prefer it warm, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. However, it is also delicious right out of the refrigerator.
• Can I make this ahead of time?
  • Yes. Bake it earlier in the day and reheat individual portions before serving.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes the best recipes come from a little creativity and a willingness to try something new. Diane’s Cherry Brownie Dump Cake proves that delicious desserts don’t have to be complicated.

With only three ingredients and a few minutes of preparation, this easy chocolate cherry dessert is sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re taking it to a potluck, serving it for a holiday meal, or simply satisfying a sweet tooth, this decadent dessert is guaranteed to disappear quickly.

And if your guests go back four times for more, don’t say I didn’t warn you!

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Until next time,

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“How sweet Your Word is to my taste – sweeter than honey in my mouth.”
Psalm 119:103