Blackberry Dump Cake
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My Blackberry Dump Cake is the easiest fruit dessert you can make. Just layer the ingredients, pop it in the oven, and let it bake into a sweet, buttery cobbler style dessert.
I love making easy dump cakes for my family events. These two are exceptionally popular: Pineapple Dump Cake with Cherries and my Oreo Dump Cake.
Why this Blackberry Dump Cake Recipe is a Keeper
This Blackberry Dump Cake works because it delivers big, nostalgic summer berry flavor with almost no effort at all. It’s the kind of dessert that feels rustic and homemade without any fuss. It is perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or those moments when you want something comforting and impressive with minimal prep.
- Ridiculously Easy: Just layer the ingredients and bake. Fruit, cake mix and butter are the basic ingredients to make a dump cake.
- Pantry Friendly: Uses cake mix and a few simple ingredients you can find anywhere.
- Crowd Favorite: The buttery topping and juicy berries always disappear fast for this blackberry recipe.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for potlucks, summer cookouts, or a quick weeknight dessert.
- Serve this Recipe with my: Oreo Poke Cake and my Easy Twix Cookies.
Do I Need to Stir the Ingredients Together Before Baking?
No. Dump cakes work because the fruit juices hydrate the cake mix as it bakes. Simply layer and bake; stirring changes the texture and makes it more like a traditional cake.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
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“This cake made me remember just how much I love blackberries! It’s absolutely scrumptious and so easy to make. Thanks!”
~ Glenda
Ingredient Notes for this Blackberry Cobbler Dessert
This cake is delicious and and it takes only a few easy ingredients. It is a great recipe to make with kids because you basically just dump the ingredients and bake.
This is an overview of key ingredients. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Fresh Blackberries: Fresh berries give the best flavor in summer, but frozen blackberries work well too. You will need four cups of fresh berries.
- Cake Mix: Yellow cake mix is most common for dump cakes since it creates a buttery topping.
- Rolled Oats: For a dump cake, rolled oats give you a heartier, crispier topping, while quick oats melt in a bit more for a softer finish.
Variations and Substitutions for this Blackberry Cobbler with Cake Mix
You can use blackberry pie filling in place of the fresh blackberries for this easy dessert. Canned filling cuts down on a lot of the prep work for this easy cobbler recipe.
➡️ Swap the Dry Cake Mix: Try white cake mix or vanilla cake mix for a lighter flavor.
➡️ Add Lemon Zest: A little lemon brightens the blackberry flavor.
➡️ Mix in Other Berries: Combine blackberries with raspberries or blueberries. Or make a chocolate cherry dump cake or a peach dump cake. You can use canned pie filling too.
➡️ Add Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
Special Equipment Needed/Kitchen Tools To Make It Easier
This quick and easy dessert uses the standard mixing bowl, measuring spoons etc. But most important use a glass baking pan.
- Glass Baking Dish: Glass baking dishes heat more gently and evenly than metal pans, which is exactly what a dump cake needs.
How to Make Easy Blackberry Dump Cake
This is just a basic 3 ingredient blackberry dump cake with a few added extras to the easy recipe to make it even better.
These are just highlights. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Prep: First, preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a 13×9 pan with nonstick spray.
- Mix: Next, in a bowl, stir together the fresh blackberries, sugar, and cinnamon. Spread the mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle the Box of Cake Mix: Sprinkle half of the rolled oats over the berries, then add the cake mix evenly, followed by the remaining oats on top of the cake mix. Shave cold butter or pour the melted butter evenly over the top.
- Bake the Easy Blackberry Cobbler: Finally, bake for about 30 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the top is golden brown. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the cake.
Prep Ahead and Short Cut Tips to Make this Recipe
If you use fresh blackberries, you can clean and prep them in advance. So when you are ready to make this easy dessert recipe you will be ahead of the game.
➡️ Assemble Early: Layer the ingredients in the baking dish a few hours ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
➡️Use Frozen Berries: Skip washing and prepping fresh berries by using frozen ones for the fruit filling.
➡️Line the Baking Dish: Lightly grease the pan for easier cleanup.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Blackberry Cake Mix Cobbler
You can make this wonderful recipe several different ways, Here are a few suggestions. You can make individual servings in ramekins or:
- Slow Cooker: Layer ingredients the same way and cook on low for several hours until the topping is set.
- Dutch Oven (Camping): Bake in a covered Dutch oven using hot coals.
How Do Frozen Berries Change the Bake for the Easy Dump Cake?
Using frozen blackberries release more liquid as they thaw in the oven, which means your dump cake will bake up juicier, saucier, and slightly softer than one made with fresh berries. That extra moisture can delay browning on top, so the cake mix may take a few extra minutes to fully hydrate and turn golden. If you want to keep the texture closer to a fresh‑berry version, add a tablespoon or two of sugar or a teaspoon of cornstarch to help thicken the juices as they bake.
Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Blackberry Dessert Recipe
This is one of the easiest desserts. A warm fruit filling with a golden brown cake.
- Storing: Allow the cake cool completely, then cover the dish or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 10–12 minutes until the topping crisps back up. Microwave: 20–30 seconds for a fast, soft‑topped reheat.
Use Leftover Dump Cake: Leftover blackberry dump cake is basically a shortcut to dessert magic. Spoon over yogurt or oatmeal. Layer with whipped cream or vanilla yogurt as a parfait. Use it to Top off pancakes or waffles.
Expert Tips to Make Blackberry with Fresh Berries
This easy Blackberry Dump Cake is warm, jammy, and irresistibly golden on top. Made with cake mix and fresh or frozen berries for a simple, crowd‑pleasing dessert.
➡️ Even Butter Coverage: Make sure butter is spread across the cake mix so no dry spots remain.
➡️Do Not Stir: Dump cakes work best when the layers stay separate.
➡️Bake Until Bubbling: The edges should bubble and the top should look golden.
➡️Rest Before Serving: Let the cake sit for 10–15 minutes so the filling thickens slightly.
➡️ Use a Glass Baking Dish: It helps you see when the fruit layer starts bubbling.
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Blackberry Dump Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces Lemon Cake Mix, 1 box
- ½ cup Rolled Oats
- 4 cups Fresh Blackberries
- ½ cup Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 cup Butter, shaved cold or melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Prepare a 13×9 pan with nonstick spray
- In a bowl mix together berries, sugar, and cinnamon
- Spread in bottom of pan
- Sprinkle on ½ of the rolled oats, then cake mix, then remaining oats
- Shave cold butter or pour melted butter evenly over the top
- Bake for about 30 minutes until bubbly and golden
- Serve with ice cream if desired and enjoy!
Christina’s Notes
- Toss the berries with a little sugar and let them sit for 10–15 minutes, or briefly warm them on the stovetop until they’re just starting to release their juices. This jump‑starts that jammy, bubbling filling and helps the cake mix hydrate more evenly as it bakes.
- Do Not Stir: Dump cakes work best when the layers stay separate.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
