Easy Apple Dump Cake
Add Preferred SourceApple dump cake is the easiest dessert you’ll ever make. With just a few simple ingredients like apple pie filling, cake mix, and butter, you get a warm, cozy treat with golden brown crumbles and irresistible flavor. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect finishing touch.
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I love making this apple dump cake when I’m craving something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. It tastes like a cross between apple pie and cobbler, with warm spices and a buttery topping. It’s perfect for autumn, but honestly, I’ll eat this dessert any time of year. Plus, it’s so easy that it’s practically foolproof—perfect for busy evenings or when you have friends over!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Apple Dump Cake
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
I’m here to show you how simple it is to make this apple dump cake recipe. With just a few steps, you’ll have a warm, delicious dessert ready to serve!
Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 180ºC (350°F). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to keep everything from sticking.
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DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Starbucks Cake Pops
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ Chocolate Mousse
∙ Matcha Tiramisu
...and much more!
Add the Apple Filling
Pour one can of apple pie filling into the baking dish. Spread it evenly so every bite has that sweet apple goodness. Sprinkle a little sugar and a pinch of salt over the top to balance the flavors.
Make the Crumbles
In a medium bowl, combine the box of yellow cake mix with melted butter. Use a fork to mix it together until you get soft, crumbly pieces—this is what gives the cake its golden, buttery topping.
Spread and Bake
Sprinkle the cake mix crumbles evenly over the canned apple pie filling layer. Don’t pack it down—just spread it gently across the top. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the topping turns golden brown.
Serve and Enjoy
Let the apple dump cake cool for a few minutes before serving. Drizzle with caramel sauce, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. It’s best enjoyed warm and fresh!
Recipe Notes and Tips
I have a few tips to make your apple dump cake even better:
- Fresh apples: If you’d prefer to use fresh apples, peel 4-5 apples, cut them into thin slices, toss them with sugar, cinnamon, and a bit of lemon juice, and they’ll work perfectly.
- Cake mix: Yellow cake mix is the classic choice, but spice cake mix works great for extra warmth and flavor.
- Cold butter: If you don’t want to melt the butter, you can slice it into thin pieces and place them evenly over the cake mix.
- Add spices: Sprinkle some cinnamon or nutmeg over the apple filling for a cozy, spiced flavor.
- Make it nutty: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cake mix for extra crunch.
- Switch the filling: You can use other canned fruits like peaches, cherries, or blueberries for a different twist.
- Caramel sauce: A drizzle of caramel syrup over the top of the cake mix before baking adds extra sweetness and gooey goodness.
- Watch the topping: Check the cake after 40 minutes to make sure the topping doesn’t get too dark. If needed, loosely cover it with foil.
- Slow cooker option: Layer the ingredients in your crockpot just like you would in a baking dish, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. Easy!
How to Store Leftover Apple Crumble Dump Cake
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), let the cake cool completely before storing. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, pop a portion into the microwave for 20-30 seconds. The topping will crisp up again, and it’ll taste just as delicious as when it was fresh!
What to Serve With Apple Dump Cake
Apple dump cake is perfect on its own, but it’s even better with a little something extra. A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into the warm cake is pure bliss, while a dollop of whipped cream adds a light, fluffy touch.
Drizzle caramel sauce over the top for a gooey finish, or sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts for a satisfying crunch. Pair it with a cup of tea or coffee, and you’ve got the ultimate cozy dessert!
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Ingredients
- 1 can 21-ounce apple pie filling
- Sugar for seasoning
- Salt for seasoning
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 6 ounces cold butter plus more for the baking dish
- Vanilla ice cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180°C).
- Add the apple filling into a 9×13 baking dish and sprinkle with sugar and salt.1 can 21-ounce apple pie filling, Sugar, Salt
- In a medium bowl, combine cake mix and melted butter with a fork until the cake mix begins to form crumbles.1 box yellow cake mix, 6 ounces cold butter
- Spread the cake mix crumbles evenly over the apple filling.
- Bake for 45 minutes.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!Vanilla ice cream
Notes
-
- Fresh apples: If you’d prefer to use fresh apples, peel 4-5 apples, cut them into thin slices, toss them with sugar, cinnamon, and a bit of lemon juice, and they’ll work perfectly.
-
- Cake mix: Yellow cake mix is the classic choice, but spice cake mix works great for extra warmth and flavor.
-
- Cold butter: If you don’t want to melt the butter, you can slice it into thin pieces and place them evenly over the cake mix.
-
- Add spices: Sprinkle some cinnamon or nutmeg over the apple filling for a cozy, spiced flavor.
-
- Make it nutty: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cake mix for extra crunch.
-
- Switch the filling: You can use other canned fruits like peaches, cherries, or blueberries for a different twist.
-
- Caramel sauce: A drizzle of caramel syrup over the top of the cake mix before baking adds extra sweetness and gooey goodness.
-
- Watch the topping: Check the cake after 40 minutes to make sure the topping doesn’t get too dark. If needed, loosely cover it with foil.
-
- Slow cooker option: Layer the ingredients in your crockpot just like you would in a baking dish, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. Easy!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Fridge: Let the cake cool completely before storing. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: To reheat, pop a portion into the microwave for 20-30 seconds. The topping will crisp up again, and it’ll taste just as delicious as when it was fresh!
Nutrition
SERIOUSLY GOOD
DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Starbucks Cake Pops
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ Chocolate Mousse
∙ Matcha Tiramisu
...and much more!
About the Author
Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
