🎉 Introduction
Short on time but still want to whip up a stunning, mouthwatering dessert? This 4-Ingredient Cherry Cake is the ultimate no-fuss sweet treat. With a soft, fluffy crumb, juicy cherry filling, and a golden top, this cake is perfect for any occasion — whether it’s a weeknight dessert, potluck favorite, or a last-minute party bake.
What makes this recipe magical is its simplicity: just four pantry-friendly ingredients, one bowl, and minimal prep. Yet the result is a beautifully moist, fruity cake that tastes like you spent hours baking.
Get ready to impress guests — or just treat yourself — without the extra mess or stress. This cherry cake is pure, easy deliciousness.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl
- 9×13” baking dish or cake pan
- Whisk or spatula
- Measuring cups
- Nonstick spray or parchment paper
- Toothpick (for doneness testing)
🍒 No stand mixer, no problem — this is old-school easy baking at its finest!
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 box white or yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 1 can cherry pie filling (21 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp almond or vanilla extract (optional, but highly recommended for flavor boost)
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Prep the Pan & Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13” baking pan with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
- In a large bowl, add:
- Cake mix
- Cherry pie filling
- Eggs
- Vanilla or almond extract (if using)
- Stir until well combined. The batter will be thick, and cherries will break up slightly — that’s perfect.
🍰 Do not overmix — a few lumps are totally okay!
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan.
- Spread evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 4: Cool & Serve
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve warm, room temp, or chilled — it’s delicious every way!
🧁 Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze for a finishing touch.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Yield: 12–15 slices
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Bake Time: 30–35 minutes
- Total Time: ~40 minutes
Perfect for parties, holidays, or that random sweet tooth at 8 PM.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
- Store covered for up to 5 days.
Freezer
- Freeze slices individually or whole for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic and foil.
Reheating
- Microwave slices for 15–20 seconds for a warm, gooey treat.
- Or serve chilled straight from the fridge!
🥄 Variations
- 🍫 Chocolate Cherry Cake – Use chocolate cake mix for a Black Forest-style dessert.
- 🧁 Cherry Cupcakes – Divide batter into a muffin tin and bake 18–20 minutes.
- 🍋 Cherry Lemon Cake – Swap in lemon cake mix and add 1 tsp lemon zest.
- 🥥 Tropical Cherry Cake – Sprinkle shredded coconut on top before baking.
- 🍦 Serve with Ice Cream – Top with vanilla or almond ice cream for a complete dessert.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use fresh or frozen cherries instead of pie filling?
Not for this version — canned cherry pie filling provides the right moisture and sweetness balance.
2. Can I use any brand of cake mix?
Yes! Any 15.25 oz white, yellow, or even butter cake mix works great.
3. What’s the difference between almond and vanilla extract here?
Almond gives a classic cherry-almond bakery flavor, while vanilla adds warmth. Both work — choose your favorite.
4. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes — this cake contains no butter or milk. Just make sure your cake mix is dairy-free too.
5. Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?
Absolutely! Chocolate chips, walnuts, or pecans add great texture and flavor.
6. Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes — use a gluten-free yellow cake mix and ensure your cherry filling is GF certified.
7. How do I know it’s done baking?
Insert a toothpick in the center — it should come out clean or with moist crumbs.
8. Is it supposed to be very sweet?
Yes — it’s naturally sweet thanks to the cherries and cake mix. You can balance it with whipped cream or tangy yogurt.
9. Can I turn this into a layer cake?
You could bake it in two round pans and stack with whipped topping or cream cheese frosting.
10. What toppings work well?
Powdered sugar, cream cheese glaze, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, or vanilla glaze all taste amazing!
🏁 Conclusion
This 4-Ingredient Cherry Cake is proof that delicious doesn’t have to be complicated. With only a few pantry staples, you’ll create a luscious, fruity cake that tastes like it came from a bakery window — not your oven in under 40 minutes.
It’s easy enough for beginners, fast enough for busy bakers, and tasty enough for everyone to ask for seconds. Try it once, and you’ll keep this recipe in your dessert rotation forever.
4-Ingredient Cherry Cake – The Easiest, Juiciest Dessert You’ll Ever Make
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13” baking pan with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, add:
- Cake mix
- Cherry pie filling
- Eggs
- Vanilla or almond extract (if using)
- Stir until well combined. The batter will be thick, and cherries will break up slightly — that’s perfect.
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan.
- Spread evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve warm, room temp, or chilled — it’s delicious every way!
Notes
Store covered for up to 5 days. Freezer
Freeze slices individually or whole for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic and foil. Reheating
Microwave slices for 15–20 seconds for a warm, gooey treat. Or serve chilled straight from the fridge! 🥄 Variations 🍫 Chocolate Cherry Cake – Use chocolate cake mix for a Black Forest-style dessert. 🧁 Cherry Cupcakes – Divide batter into a muffin tin and bake 18–20 minutes. 🍋 Cherry Lemon Cake – Swap in lemon cake mix and add 1 tsp lemon zest. 🥥 Tropical Cherry Cake – Sprinkle shredded coconut on top before baking. 🍦 Serve with Ice Cream – Top with vanilla or almond ice cream for a complete dessert. ❓ 10 FAQs 1. Can I use fresh or frozen cherries instead of pie filling?
Not for this version — canned cherry pie filling provides the right moisture and sweetness balance. 2. Can I use any brand of cake mix?
Yes! Any 15.25 oz white, yellow, or even butter cake mix works great. 3. What’s the difference between almond and vanilla extract here?
Almond gives a classic cherry-almond bakery flavor, while vanilla adds warmth. Both work — choose your favorite. 4. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes — this cake contains no butter or milk. Just make sure your cake mix is dairy-free too. 5. Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?
Absolutely! Chocolate chips, walnuts, or pecans add great texture and flavor. 6. Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes — use a gluten-free yellow cake mix and ensure your cherry filling is GF certified. 7. How do I know it’s done baking?
Insert a toothpick in the center — it should come out clean or with moist crumbs. 8. Is it supposed to be very sweet?
Yes — it’s naturally sweet thanks to the cherries and cake mix. You can balance it with whipped cream or tangy yogurt. 9. Can I turn this into a layer cake?
You could bake it in two round pans and stack with whipped topping or cream cheese frosting. 10. What toppings work well?
Powdered sugar, cream cheese glaze, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, or vanilla glaze all taste amazing! 🏁 Conclusion This 4-Ingredient Cherry Cake is proof that delicious doesn’t have to be complicated. With only a few pantry staples, you’ll create a luscious, fruity cake that tastes like it came from a bakery window — not your oven in under 40 minutes. It’s easy enough for beginners, fast enough for busy bakers, and tasty enough for everyone to ask for seconds. Try it once, and you’ll keep this recipe in your dessert rotation forever.
