Easy Blackberry Dump Cake Recipe

There are some desserts that just feel like a warm hug in a bowl, and this Blackberry Dump Cake is definitely one of them. The first time I made it, I was skeptical. Just dump everything in a pan and bake? It seemed too good to be true. But 40 minutes later, my kitchen smelled heavenly, and I was scooping up a bubbling, jammy blackberry base with a buttery, golden cake topping. It’s the kind of effortless dessert you can whip up for a last-minute get-together or a cozy weeknight treat when you need something sweet without the fuss.

The beauty of a dump cake lies in its simplicity. Using a combination of blackberry pie filling and fresh or frozen blackberries gives you the best of both worlds: the sweet, syrupy consistency of the filling and the bright, tart pop of whole berries. If you’re a fan of super simple, fruit-forward desserts, you’ll absolutely love how this comes together. It’s a similar concept to our popular Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake, proving that amazing flavor doesn’t have to be complicated.

Table of Contents

Contents List

Why make this Blackberry Dump Cake recipe

This Blackberry Dump Cake is a must-try for so many reasons! Here’s why it will become your new go-to dessert:

• Incredibly Easy: With just 10 minutes of prep time, this recipe is perfect for bakers of all skill levels. You literally just dump the ingredients into a baking dish.
• Minimal Ingredients: You only need 6 simple ingredients, most of which you might already have in your pantry.
• Perfect for a Crowd: This recipe makes 12 servings, making it ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, or holiday parties.
• Customizable: Feel free to add nuts for crunch or experiment with different cake mix flavors.
• Utterly Delicious: The combination of warm, gooey blackberries and a rich, buttery cake topping is simply irresistible, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

• 21 ounce blackberry pie filling
• 2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries (about 10 ounces)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (cold and thinly sliced)

How to make Blackberry Dump Cake

Step 1: First things first, get your oven ready. Preheat it to 350°F and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent any deliciousness from sticking.

Step 2: Add the blackberry pie filling and the fresh or frozen blackberries directly into your prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to gently mix them together right in the pan. You just want to coat the whole berries with the filling. Spread this fruity layer out evenly.

Step 3: Time for a little extra sweetness and spice. Sprinkle the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon evenly over the entire blackberry layer.

Step 4: Next, open up your box of yellow cake mix and sprinkle the dry mix directly on top of the fruit. Try to create a consistent, even layer that covers the blackberries completely. Do not stir it in!

Step 5: Take your cold, thinly sliced butter and arrange the slices over the top of the dry cake mix. The goal is to cover as much of the surface as possible. As the cake bakes, the butter will melt down and create that perfect, buttery, cobbler-like topping.

Step 6: Carefully place the baking dish in your preheated oven. Bake for about 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is a beautiful golden brown and the blackberry filling is bubbling up around the edges. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

How to serve Blackberry Dump Cake

This dessert is at its absolute best when served warm from the oven. The contrast between the hot, gooey fruit and a cold, creamy topping is pure magic. A classic scoop of vanilla bean ice cream is the perfect partner, as it melts slightly into the warm cake. A generous dollop of fresh whipped cream or even a spoonful of Cool Whip also works beautifully. For a final touch, garnish each serving with a few fresh blackberries to add a pop of color and fresh flavor.

How to store Blackberry Dump Cake

If you have leftovers, storing them is simple. You can cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and leave it at room temperature for up to 24 hours. For longer storage, keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions for about 30-45 seconds, or you can warm the entire dish in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

Tips to make Blackberry Dump Cake

• Don’t Mix the Cake Mix: The most important rule of a dump cake is to not stir the dry cake mix into the fruit layer. Sprinkling it on top and dotting with butter is what creates the signature crumbly, tender topping.
• Use Cold Butter: Slicing the butter while it’s very cold makes it much easier to handle and distribute evenly over the cake mix. This ensures you don’t have dry patches.
• Add Some Crunch: For extra texture, sprinkle about a half cup of chopped pecans or walnuts over the cake mix before adding the butter slices.
• Try Other Flavors: While yellow cake mix is classic, you can easily substitute it with a white or butter pecan cake mix for a slightly different flavor profile.
• Love Dump Cakes? If you enjoy this super-simple dessert method, you have to try our amazing Cherry Cheesecake Dump Cake Recipe for another fruity and decadent treat!

FAQs About Blackberry Dump Cake

Can I use only fresh blackberries instead of pie filling?

You can, but you’ll need to make some adjustments. If using all fresh or frozen blackberries (about 4-5 cups), you may want to increase the sugar to about ¾ cup and add a tablespoon of cornstarch to help the filling thicken up as it bakes.

Do I have to mix the cake mix with liquid?

No, and that’s the magic of a dump cake! The dry cake mix combines with the moisture from the fruit filling and the melting butter as it bakes to create a delicious, tender, and slightly crispy topping all on its own.

Can I use a different fruit?

Absolutely! This recipe is very forgiving. You can easily swap the blackberry pie filling for cherry, peach, or apple pie filling. Just match the fresh fruit to the filling for the best flavor combination.

Final Thoughts

This Blackberry Dump Cake is the definition of comfort food. It’s warm, sweet, and satisfying, with a wonderful contrast of textures between the soft, jammy fruit and the buttery cake. It’s the perfect dessert for when you’re short on time but still want to deliver a show-stopping treat that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite go-to recipe!

Hungry for more? Follow us on Pinterest for daily recipes!

Print