There is something mighty comforting about a dump cake, especially when summer calls for an easy dessert that does not ask much of the cook. This slow cooker Shirley Temple version leans on just three ingredients, but it brings plenty of old-fashioned charm with its cherry filling, fizzy lemon-lime soda, and buttery cake topping. It is the sort of dessert that feels right at home at potlucks, porch suppers, and holiday cookouts, and it reminds me of those practical Midwestern sweets that always manage to steal the show without any fuss.
Serve this warm right from the slow cooker with big spoonfuls into bowls, and if you want to dress it up, add vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. It is especially nice alongside grilled burgers, hot dogs, barbecue chicken, or picnic fare like baked beans and potato salad, since the bright cherry flavor gives a sweet finish to a hearty summer meal.
Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Shirley Temple Dump Cake
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 can cherry pie filling, about 21 ounces
1 box yellow cake mix, about 15.25 ounces
1 cup lemon-lime soda
Optional for garnish: maraschino cherries
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of a slow cooker with nonstick spray or a little butter, then spread the cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom.
2. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the cherry filling, covering it from edge to edge without stirring.
3. Pour the lemon-lime soda slowly and evenly over the cake mix, making sure to moisten as much of the top as possible. Do not stir.
4. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or on low for 4 hours, until the topping is set and golden in spots and the cherry filling is hot and bubbly around the edges.
5. Spoon into bowls, top with maraschino cherries if you like, and serve warm.
Variations & Tips
Add a richer finish: If you happen to have butter on hand and do not mind going beyond three ingredients, drizzle a few tablespoons of melted butter over the cake mix before cooking. It gives the topping a deeper golden color and a more classic dump cake richness.
Try a white cake mix: White cake mix makes a lighter-looking topping and lets that cherry color shine through even more. The flavor comes out a touch sweeter and a little more like an old-fashioned soda fountain treat.
Mind the hot spots: Slow cookers can vary plenty. If your cake starts browning too quickly around the edges, switch to low for the remainder of the cooking time. If the center still looks powdery near the end, drizzle on a small splash more soda just where it looks dry and cook a bit longer.
Serve for a crowd: This dessert travels well for reunions and church suppers. Keep it on the warm setting once it is done, and let folks scoop their own with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on the side.
Make it festive: For a holiday table, scatter a few extra maraschino cherries over the top just before serving. That bright red finish makes it especially pretty for summer gatherings, and it gives every spoonful that classic Shirley Temple look.