Slow cooker 3-ingredient cherry cola dump cake is the kind of low-effort dessert that earns a permanent spot at summer cookouts, potlucks, and family get-togethers. Dump cakes became popular in midcentury American home cooking for their simplicity, and this version leans into that convenience with cherry pie filling, cola, and cake mix transforming into a sticky, spoonable dessert with a jammy fruit base and a buttery-style crust on top, all without turning on the oven.
Serve this warm straight from the slow cooker with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a spoonful of lightly sweetened crème fraîche if you want a little contrast to the sweetness. It also pairs nicely with grilled burgers, barbecue chicken, or smoky ribs, since the bright cherry flavor and cola notes fit right in with classic cookout food.
Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Cherry Cola Dump Cake
Servings: 8
Ingredients
2 cans cherry pie filling, 21 ounces each
1 box yellow cake mix, 15.25 ounces
1 cup cherry cola
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray or a thin film of oil to help prevent sticking around the edges.
2. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the bottom of the slow cooker.
3. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the cherry filling, covering the surface as completely as possible without stirring.
4. Slowly pour the cherry cola over the cake mix, moistening as much of the surface as you can. Do not stir; the layers should stay distinct.
5. Cover and cook on High for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or on Low for 4 hours, until the top looks set and lightly golden around the edges and the cherry filling is bubbling underneath.
6. Turn off the slow cooker and let the cake rest uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes so it thickens slightly before scooping and serving warm.
Variations & Tips
Use a different cake mix: Yellow cake mix gives a classic buttery flavor, but chocolate cake mix makes the cola notes deeper and richer, while white cake mix keeps the cherry flavor front and center.
Watch the moisture: Slow cookers vary, so if the top still looks powdery after the first hour, drizzle a few extra tablespoons of cola over the driest spots. If it seems overly wet at the end, leave the lid ajar for 10 to 15 minutes to let excess steam escape.
Do not stir the layers: Keeping the fruit, dry mix, and cola in separate layers is what creates the classic dump cake texture, with a soft fruit base and a craggy top rather than a uniform batter.
Make it easy to serve: This dessert is best scooped, not sliced. A large serving spoon works better than a spatula, especially when the filling is hot and loose right after cooking.