The RICHEST Cherry Chocolate Crockpot Brownies

There are days that simply demand chocolate. But when that craving hits, the last thing you want is a complicated recipe that requires multiple mixing bowls, a stand mixer, and hours of oven time. You want something gooey, decadent, and available with minimal effort.

My solution for a fuss-free, yet utterly satisfying dessert is baked right on my counter: the slow cooker.

This Cherry Chocolate Crockpot Brownies recipe is a revelation in slow cooker baking. It takes the best of a classic dump cake—the easy layering of ingredients—and combines it with the rich, deep flavor of dark chocolate and the bright, unexpected pop of cherry. The moist, gentle heat of the crockpot creates a dense, fudgy brownie base and ensures the cherry layer is warm and bubbly.

This recipe is a massive hit because it taps directly into the desire for simple indulgence. It’s the RICHEST and easiest dump cake recipe you will ever make. If you are searching for an easy chocolate dessert that is virtually impossible to mess up, this crockpot recipe is your guaranteed winner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is a Pinterest favorite because it combines the massive search appeal of dump cake recipes with the universal love for easy chocolate dessert, offering maximum reward for minimal work.

The RICHEST Fudgy Texture

The slow cooker is surprisingly excellent for baking, especially for creating dense, fudgy textures. The moist heat environment helps the brownie mix stay incredibly rich and soft, almost like a hot, baked pudding. This technique prevents the edges from drying out, resulting in the most RICHEST, most uniform texture from edge to edge.

The True “Dump and Go” Dessert

This is the ultimate dump cake recipe. The assembly requires three simple layers—the cherry filling, the dry brownie mix, and the butter—with virtually no stirring required. The entire prep takes less than 10 minutes. This makes it a perfect easy chocolate dessert for busy weeknights or for those days when you need a simple crockpot recipe fix.

An Unexpected Flavor Combination

The pairing of cherry and chocolate is classic for a reason. The bright, slightly tart fruit cuts through the deep, intense flavor of the chocolate, preventing the dessert from being overwhelmingly rich. The warm, bubbly cherry layer contrasts beautifully with the dense, dark brownie base.

Perfect for Serving a Crowd

Baking this in a large 5- or 6-quart slow cooker means you can easily serve 8 to 10 people, making it an excellent choice for potluck desserts or family gatherings where you need a generous portion of slow cooker baking goodness.

Ingredients and Instructions: The Decadent Layers

The key to the Cherry Chocolate Crockpot Brownies is using high-quality cherry pie filling and ensuring the butter is distributed evenly for a perfect crust.

For Serving:

• Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

The Basic Instructions:

1. Prep Slow Cooker: Grease the inside of your 5- or 6-quart slow cooker with butter or non-stick spray.
2. Layer 1 (Cherries): Pour both cans of cherry pie filling into the bottom of the slow cooker. Stir in the vanilla extract, if using.
3. Layer 2 (Mix & Chips): Evenly sprinkle the entire box of dry brownie mix over the cherry layer. Do not stir. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the mix.
4. Layer 3 (Butter): Distribute the cubed or sliced cold butter evenly over the top of the dry mix. The butter is what melts down to moisten and bake the brownie layer.
5. Cook: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2–3 hours or on LOW for 4–5 hours. The brownies are done when the edges look set and the center is mostly firm, though still soft and fudgy.
6. Serve: Turn off the heat and let the brownies sit for 15 minutes. Serve warm, directly from the pot, with ice cream.

The RICHEST Cherry Chocolate Crockpot Brownies

These Cherry Chocolate Crockpot Brownies are rich, fudgy, and bursting with cherry flavor. This easy slow cooker dessert takes just minutes to prep — perfect served warm with vanilla ice cream and toasted almonds!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 932

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 21 oz cherry pie filling one 21-ounce can
• 54 oz fudge brownie mix three 18-ounce boxes, such as Betty Crocker
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• almond slices for garnish
• vanilla ice cream for serving

Equipment

• 6-quart slow cooker
• non-stick cooking spray
• mixing bowl
• spatula
• measuring spoons

Method

 

1. Spray the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker.
3. Prepare the brownie mix according to package instructions, then stir in the almond extract.
4. Pour the brownie batter evenly over the cherries.
5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours and 15 minutes. A toothpick should come out with moist brownie crumbs (not wet batter).
6. Serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream and toasted almond slices. Enjoy!

Notes

Tips:
• Use high-quality brownie mix for the fudgiest texture.
• Avoid overcooking — check around 2 hours to prevent drying out.
• Add a handful of chocolate chips for extra richness.
• Toast almonds in a dry pan for 2–3 minutes before garnishing.

Storage: Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or enjoy cold.

Step by Step: Mastering the Slow Cooker Baking Technique

The challenge with slow cooker baking is achieving a non-soggy, perfectly set texture. My early attempts resulted in a crust that was often damp. I learned that the simple paper towel trick and proper butter distribution are the keys to the perfect Cherry Chocolate Crockpot Brownies.

Here is the detailed, human-written guide to mastering this spectacular easy chocolate dessert:

Step 1: The Essential Thickness of the Cherry Filling

While canned pie filling is thick, you can elevate the flavor by stirring in a small amount of almond or vanilla extract. It’s important to keep the cherry layer smooth and thick, as this forms the rich, fruit base of the dessert. Make sure the layer is as even as possible on the bottom of the pot.

Step 2: The Dry Mix Barrier

When you sprinkle the dry brownie mix over the cherry layer, you must sprinkle it evenly and absolutely do not stir it. The dry mix acts as a barrier that prevents the butter from mixing with the cherry filling immediately. This layering is what creates the distinct fudgy bottom and fruity top. The chocolate chips sprinkled on top ensure a pocket of melted chocolate in every bite.

Step 3: Precise Butter Distribution

The cold butter is the moisture source for the brownie mix. You must distribute the thin slices or small cubes of butter as evenly as possible over the entire surface of the dry mix. Any dry spots that don’t receive butter won’t “bake” and will remain powdery. The melting butter acts as the fat needed to turn the mix into a brownie.

Step 4: The Golden Crust Secret (The Paper Towel Trick)

This is the single most important technique for all slow cooker baking. To prevent the condensation that forms on the slow cooker lid from dripping onto your brownies and making the top soggy, place two layers of paper towels over the top of the slow cooker opening before placing the lid on. The paper towels absorb the rising steam, ensuring the crust remains dry and fudgy. Change the paper towels halfway through the cooking time if they are saturated.

Step 5: The Fudgy Check

The brownies are done when the edges are set and the center is still very soft and fudgy. Because this is baked with moist heat, the center will not set up like a traditional cake. If you insert a toothpick into the center, it should come out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter. The center will firm up considerably as the brownies cool.

Variations, Serving, and Storage FAQs

This core Cherry Chocolate Crockpot Brownies recipe is easy to adapt to any fruit flavor or chocolate preference, solidifying its spot as a great dump cake recipe foundation.

Delicious Variations to Try:

• Black Forest Brownies: Replace the cherry pie filling with raspberry or blackberry pie filling.
• Nutty Brownies: Stir $1/2$ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the dry brownie mix before sprinkling it over the cherry layer.
• Blonde Brownies: Use a box of yellow or butter cake mix instead of brownie mix for a lighter, “blonde” cake base, pairing well with apple or peach pie filling.
• Cream Cheese Swirl: Before adding the chocolate chips, drop spoonfuls of a mixture of 4 ounces softened cream cheese, $1/4$ cup sugar, and 1 egg yolk over the dry mix. Swirl lightly before adding the butter layer.

Serving Suggestions:

This RICHEST dessert is perfect served warm:

1. A La Mode: Serve warm, scooped into bowls. Top with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
2. Chilled Squares: Once completely cooled and firmed up in the refrigerator, the brownies can be cut into neat squares and served chilled.
3. Potluck Presentation: Transport the brownies in the slow cooker and keep them on the “Warm” setting for up to 1 hour, allowing guests to serve themselves warm dessert.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion: Your Go-To Easy Chocolate Dessert

The Cherry Chocolate Crockpot Brownies recipe is the definitive answer to the call for easy, decadent baking. It’s the RICHEST easy chocolate dessert that takes all the stress out of the kitchen, proving that your slow cooker is not just for savory meals.

By mastering the simple layering and the crucial paper towel trick, you guarantee a spectacular, fudgy result every time.

Pin this simple crockpot recipe today and indulge in the easiest brownies you’ll ever make!