I never thought putting soda in a cake would work until my sister showed me this trick at a family gathering. Growing up, we always made cakes the traditional way – you know, measuring flour, creaming butter, the whole process. Any time someone mentioned using soda, I thought they were pulling my leg.
But here’s the thing about dump cakes with soda – they’re practically impossible to mess up. You just need a cake mix and your favorite soda. That’s it. No eggs to crack, no oil to measure, and no butter to soften. For someone who’s always looking for shortcuts in the kitchen (aren’t we all?), this recipe is a game-changer.
Why You’ll Love This Dump Cake
- 4-ingredient recipe – With just cake mix, pie filling, chocolate chips, and soda, this recipe couldn’t be more straightforward – perfect for when you need a quick dessert solution.
- No mixing bowls needed – True to its name, you just dump the ingredients right into the baking pan – meaning fewer dishes to wash and less cleanup time.
- Foolproof preparation – If you can open cans and pour ingredients, you can make this cake. It’s that simple, making it perfect for beginner bakers or cooking with kids.
- Rich chocolate-cherry flavor – The combination of devil’s food cake mix, cherry pie filling, and chocolate chips creates a decadent dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
What Kind of Cola Should I Use?
Regular cola works best for this recipe since the sugar content helps create the right texture and sweetness in your dump cake. While any brand of cola will work – whether it’s Coca-Cola, Pepsi, or even a store brand – just make sure to avoid diet sodas as the artificial sweeteners can affect the cake’s texture and taste. The carbonation in the cola helps make the cake light and fluffy, so use fresh soda that still has plenty of fizz. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even try other dark sodas like Dr Pepper or root beer, which would add their own unique flavor twist to the cake.
Options for Substitutions
This super easy dump cake is pretty flexible with substitutions. Here’s what you can switch up:
- Cherry pie filling: Feel free to use any fruit pie filling you like – apple, blueberry, peach, or mixed berry all work great. You can even try using one can of cherry and one can of another fruit for a fun mix!
- Devil’s Food cake mix: Any chocolate cake mix will work here. You could also try yellow cake mix or white cake mix for a different flavor combo with the cherries.
- Cola beverage: While cola gives a nice caramel note, you can use any carbonated soda. Dr Pepper, root beer, or cherry cola are great options. Just avoid diet sodas as they can affect the texture.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Switch these up with milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or even butterscotch chips. You could also use chopped nuts instead for some crunch.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking
The biggest mistake when making a soda dump cake is stirring the ingredients together – this defeats the whole purpose of this effortless dessert and can result in a dense, gummy texture instead of the light, fluffy cake you’re after.
Another common error is using diet or flat soda, which won’t create the same chemical reaction with the cake mix – always use regular, carbonated cola at room temperature for the best rise and texture.
When layering your ingredients, make sure to spread the pie filling evenly across the bottom of the pan and sprinkle the dry cake mix in an even layer on top – any clumps or uneven spots can lead to pockets of dry cake mix in your finished dessert.
For the best results, check your cake about 10 minutes before the recommended baking time since oven temperatures can vary, and look for a set top that springs back when lightly touched rather than relying solely on the toothpick test.
What to Serve With Dump Cake?
This super easy chocolate-cherry dump cake is just begging to be served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top! The contrast between the warm cake and cold ice cream creates that perfect dessert moment everyone loves. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, add a dollop of whipped cream and maybe a few extra chocolate chips on top. For a fun twist at parties, set up a little sundae bar with different ice cream flavors and toppings like chopped nuts, caramel sauce, or fresh cherries – this way everyone can customize their slice just how they like it.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Once your cola dump cake has cooled down, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you live in a warm climate, pop it in the fridge where it’ll stay good for up to 5 days – just make sure it’s well-covered to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other food smells.
Freeze: This cake freezes really well! Cut it into portions, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. It’ll keep its taste and texture for up to 3 months in the freezer. This is super handy when you want to have emergency dessert on hand!
Warm Up: To enjoy your cake later, let frozen pieces thaw overnight in the fridge. You can warm individual servings in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds – the chocolate chips get slightly melty again, which is pretty amazing. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, and you’re good to go!
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-35 minutes |
| Total Time | 40-50 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2300-2500
- Protein: 20-25 g
- Fat: 80-90 g
- Carbohydrates: 400-450 g
Ingredients
- 1 cup cola (like Coca-Cola, for moisture and flavor)
- 1 box devil’s food cake mix (I like Duncan Hines)
- 42 oz cherry pie filling
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (Nestle Toll House are great here)
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Take a 13×9-inch baking pan and pour in the cherry pie filling.
Spread the filling evenly across the bottom of the pan, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
Step 2: Prepare the Cake Mix
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix with chocolate chips.
Pour in the cola and stir the mixture until just combined.
Be careful not to overmix, as this can affect the texture of your dessert.
Step 3: Assemble the Dessert
Gently dump the prepared cake mix over the cherry pie filling in the baking pan.
Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the mix evenly over the filling, ensuring an even layer across the top.
Step 4: Bake the Cake
Place the baking pan in your preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.
The dessert is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cherry filling is bubbly around the edges.
Keep an eye on the dessert to avoid overbaking.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
After removing the pan from the oven, allow the dessert to cool for about 15 minutes.
This cooling time will help the flavors meld and make it easier to cut.
Once cooled, slice and serve your delicious cherry and chocolate dessert.
Enjoy!
