Cherry "Dump" Cake

In the past month, this recipe has come up twice during recipe conversations so I thought it was time to try it out! What's great is that it is so nice and simple! A mom at my mom's group mentioned it and then my sister suggested I try it too. Some make it with pineapple, but I decided to do mine without.


Ingredients:
1 can cherry pie filling
1 box yellow cake mix
1 stick butter

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Open can of cherry pie filling and "dump" it into a 9 x 13-in pan. Spread it evenly on the bottom.
• Open yellow cake mix and pour it onto the cherry pie filling.
• Slice the stick of butter and randomly place the butter pats across the top. To be technical, I was able to fit 5 rows of butter with 4 pats across.
• Bake for 50 minutes and enjoy!
  

OK, so I just finished making this and have some ideas. Don't try to put it in a smaller pan (like I did). There is too much cake mix for a smaller pan. I'm not sure if that affected my cake (because I had to transfer it into a bigger pan), but it wasn't as incredible as I expected. I may like this better with the pineapple. I also think it would be delicious if I added a scoop of vanilla ice cream! It was good, it just wasn't as incredible as I'd heard......I'd be interested to know how it turns out for you if you try it!

"Mug" Cake *great to make with kids*

I got this recipe from a friend. It is a mini cake that's made in a large coffee mug. It turns out to be similar to a sponge cake since the cake itself is really moist and springy. It says chocolate chips are optional. I used them in mine and I had a bite of a piece without the chips and it was a little bland, so the chips are good to add.

Ingredients:

• 4 T flour
• 4 T sugar
• 2 T cocoa
• 1 egg
• 3 T milk
• 3 T oil
• 3 T chocolate chips (optional)
• Small splash of vanilla extract
• 1 large coffee mug microwave safe

Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract and mix again. Put mug in microwave and cook for 3 minutes. The cake will rise over the top of the mug but don't be alarmed. Allow to cool a little and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT!