Name: How To Make a Lazy-Day Cherry Pistachio Dump Cake
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 can cherry pie filling; 1 box cake mix; ½ cup pistachio cream; ½ cup butter

A no effort cake, for every occasion.

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Some days you want to make an extravagant dessert, with several steps that make you feel like a proper pastry chef. This cake is not for one of those days. But you know the days where everything feels exhausting but you could use a sweet pick me up?

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This Lazy-Day Cherry Pistachio Dump Cake is exactly for those days.

Everything gets added straight into the cake pan, stirred right there, and baked until soft, buttery, and just a little gooey in the middle. No mixer. No bowls. No stress. Just ingredients that have probably had a home at the back of your pantry for a while, and a spoon.

I made this one while I was in a meal prepping frenzy and realized I hadn’t made a dessert. This was perfect since I was out of eggs and basically everything else you need for a cake. Luckily this one was a hit!

It’s sweet, rich, and cozy, with pops of cherry and nutty depth from pistachio cream. Perfect for lazy weekends, last-minute guests, or when you want something homemade without the full baking commitment. You don’t even need a frosting for this one!

Why you’ll love it

No mixing bowls required
One pan from start to finish
Pantry-friendly ingredients
Cozy, buttery cake with minimal effort

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This Lazy-Day Cherry Pistachio Dump Cake is the kind of recipe you’ll want saved for when a dessert craving hits and motivation is low.

Don’t have time to make it right now? Pin it now so it’s ready for cozy weekends, busy weeks, or last-minute guests.

Ingredients

1 can cherry pie filling (398 ml)
1 box cake mix
100g pistachio cream (roughly ½ cup)
115g butter, melted (½ cup)

How to make it

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Line a round cake pan with parchment paper.
Add all ingredients directly into the pan.
Stir until fully combined.
Bake for 50 minutes, until set in the center and lightly golden.
Cool slightly before slicing and serving.

NOTE: This cake WILL be gooey still! That is the point. Thomas prefers this one straight from the fridge for that reason.

If you loved this, you’ll love…

Pistachio Dream Cookies
- These cookies are the purest form of pistachio flavor you could get in a dessert. They are seriously a dream.
- RECIPE: https://tastycue.com/pistachio-dream-cookie-recipe/
Brown Butter Pistachio Oatmeal Cookies
- These cookies were one of the first times I baked with pistachio once I learned that it was one of Thomas’ favorite flavors. When I brought them to an event people asked “omg is this crumbl??!” Which I think speaks for itself.
- RECIPE: https://tastycue.com/brown-butter-pistachio-oatmeal-cookies-recipe/
Easy Apple Mug Cake
- This recipe is really for the days you want no dishes, but you want a dessert like NOW and don’t want to wait the hour for a cake.
- RECIPE: https://tastycue.com/apple-mug-cake-easy-recipe/

FAQ

What is a dump cake?

A dump cake is a simple dessert where ingredients are “dumped” together with minimal effort. Traditionally, ingredients are layered, but this version is stirred directly in the pan for a smoother, cake-like texture.

How do you make a dump cake?

Most dump cakes involve adding ingredients to a baking dish without much mixing. This recipe keeps it easy—everything goes in the pan and gets stirred once—while creating a more even crumb.

How long do you cook a dump cake?

Most dump cakes bake for 45–60 minutes. This cherry pistachio version is perfect at 350°F for about 50 minutes.

Can I use a different cake mix?

Yes. Vanilla, white, or yellow cake mix all work well. Chocolate would overpower the pistachio and cherry flavors.

Does this taste like a traditional dump cake?

It has the ease of a dump cake but a slightly more cake-like texture since everything is mixed together. Think cozy shortcut cake, not crumbly cobbler.

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The final forkful

This is the dessert you make when you want something sweet now, not after cleaning the kitchen. It’s forgiving, unfussy, and exactly what a lazy-day bake should be.

If you try it, let us know what you think, and if have any other ideas for a dump cake I would love to hear it!

Much love,

Sidney & Thomas

Sidney & Thomas Johnson-Quesnelle