Apple Dump Cake is a warm, cozy, delicious dessert to enjoy this fall! It only has four key ingredients that are dumped into a dish and baked until bubbly and golden. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’ll be in heaven!

Serving of apple dump cake topped with a scoop of ice cream on a plate.

Apple Dump Cake with just a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of prep is one of the easiest desserts, yet it tastes so irresistible!

To make this comforting treat, you simply dump apple pie filling with some flavorings into a pan. Then, sprinkle cake mix over the fruit and finish with a topping of thin slices of butter. Bake until a golden crispy crust forms and the fruit is bubbling.

I tried this but used spice cake mix instead and omitted the nutmeg. It was so delicious. I will definitely be making it again!

— Danielle

Reasons you’ll love this recipe

  • All of the incredible flavors and textures of cobbler without any of the hassle.
  • Made with mostly pantry staples and 10 minutes of prep!
  • Perfect for the holidays because everyone loves apple dump cake and it feeds a crowd. Add this to your Thanksgiving dessert menu!

There’s nothing like a warm, fruity dessert with a crisp topping! Here are some of my other favs: apple blackberry crumble, cherry dump cake and apple crisp!

Ingredients you’ll need

With just four main ingredients, plus some options for extra flavor, there’s nothing complicated about making this apple dump cake recipe! Here’s what you’ll need:

Bowl of dry cake mix, apple pie filling, spices and butter.
  • Cans of apple pie filling: With sliced apples, sweetener, spices and a thickener, canned apple pie filling makes this apple dessert so convenient!
  • Pure vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness with vanilla flavor.
  • Spices: Make this cake taste extra warm and cozy with a little ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
  • Dry cake mix: I like using Betty Crocker® Super Moist cake mix, and either the yellow cake mix or white cake mix will work.
  • Butter: The thin slices of cold butter melts as the cake cooks creating that crumbly top.
  • Vanilla ice cream: The contrast of the cold melting ice cream with the warm cobbler-like dessert is absolutely heavenly. Whipped cream and/or caramel sauce are other great toppings to try!

Variations and substitutions

There are many variations of dump cake recipes out there. This dessert is really easy to customize with different fruits, cake mixes or even add-ins like chopped nuts. Here are some fun options:

  • Nuts: Add a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the apples before adding the cake mix.
  • Cake mix: A spice cake mix or butter pecan cake mix would pair really well with the apple flavor in this recipe.
  • Gluten free: To make a gluten-free dump cake, simply use your favorite gluten-free cake mix. Be sure to check all labels before using, including the fruit filling.
  • Fruit: Any canned fruit filling works great. Blueberry or peaches would be delicious and you could even use one can cherry with one can crushed pineapple to make a cherry pineapple dump cake. Pumpkin dump cake is another option that sounds SO good!

How to make this recipe

Making apple dump cake is so easy! Here’s how:

Stirring apple slices with vanilla in a small glass bowl.

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Mix 1/2 tsp of vanilla into each can of apple pie filling, if using. Alternatively, you can pour the apples into a bowl and mix it together in the bowl.

Apple pie filling spread in a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

Step 2: Add the fruit filling to the pan. Spread the fruit filling with a spatula to evenly cover the bottom of the baking dish.

Hand holding a small bowl of spices over sliced apples and sprinkling the spices over the top.

Step 3: Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg over the top of the apple slices, if using.

Dry cake mix sprinkled over the top of apple fruit filling.

Step 4: Sprinkle the dry cake mix on top of the fruit in an even layer. It should completely cover the fruit.

Slices of butter covering apples and dry cake mix.

Step 5: Cut the butter into thin slices and arrange over the top of the cake mix in an even layer, covering the entire surface. The butter can be cut vertically as seen above or horizontally in shorter dabs of butter.

Baked apple dump cake in a baking dish.

Step 6: Bake until golden brown, bubbling, and a crispy crust forms, about 55-60 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes to firm up.

Serving an apple dump cake that is topped with scoops of ice cream with a wooden spoon.

Step 7: Scoop servings into bowls or onto plates and serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Helpful tips

  • Adding the butter: Placing the slices of butter evenly over the cake, rather than pouring or drizzling melted butter over the top, will help completely cover the cake mix and avoid any dry areas of cake mix.
  • Don’t mix: One of the biggest mistakes to avoid when making a dump cake is not to mix all of the ingredients. They simply get layered in the dish, or ‘dumped’.
  • Crockpot apple dump cake: To make in a slow cooker, use a 5 to 6-quart crock pot and follow the instructions. However, melt the butter and in a bowl mix together the cake mix and melted butter. Crumble this mixture over the apple pie filling. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
  • If making in a slow cooker: Condensation can form on the lid of the crockpot and then drop onto the cake, so I recommend placing a few layers of paper towels or a dish towel under the lid to absorb that additional liquid.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a dump cake and a cobbler?

A dump cake uses a cake mix for the topping, while an apple cobbler has a pie crust or biscuit topping. They are very similar in taste and texture, and both have a fruit filling.

Why is my dump cake still powdery?

If your dump cake is baked and there is still some visible cake mix powder on the top, it’s probably because the butter wasn’t evenly distributed on top of the cake. When assembling the recipe, be sure to spread the cake mix in an even layer and cover completely with the slices or pats of butter.

Do dump cakes need to be refrigerated?

You can leave the cake on the counter, covered, for 1-2 days. Refrigerate to keep it fresh for another day or two. Reheat leftovers for the best taste.

Storage recommendations

Cover the cake with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and store at room temperature for 1–2 days. Transfer to the refrigerator to keep it fresh for an extra day or two. Reheat leftovers in the microwave for the best flavor.

Wooden spoon in a dish with apple dump cake.

More easy dessert recipes

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

Serving of apple dump cake topped with a scoop of ice cream on a plate.
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Apple Dump Cake

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Cooling time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Apple Dump Cake is a warm, cozy, delicious dessert to enjoy this fall! It only has four key ingredients that are dumped into a dish and baked until bubbly and golden. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you'll be in heaven!
Author: Kim

Ingredients

  • 2 (21-ounce) cans apple pie filling
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, optional
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional
  • 15.25 ounces yellow or white cake mix , (13.25 will work if that’s what you have)*
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, (feel free to use as little as 1/2 cup, if preferred)
  • vanilla ice cream for serving, optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Mix 1/2 tsp of vanilla into each can of apple pie filling, if using. Then, spread both cans of fruit filling evenly in the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg, if using.
  • Sprinkle the dry cake mix on top of the fruit in an even layer. Cut the butter into thin slices and arrange over the cake mix in an even layer, covering the entire surface.
  • Bake until golden brown, bubbling, and a crispy crust forms, about 55-60 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes to firm up. Then, serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Notes

*I like using Betty Crocker Super Moist cake mix.
Crockpot option: To make slow cooker apple dump cake, use a 5 to 6-quart crock pot and follow the instructions. However, melt the butter and in a bowl mix together the cake mix and melted butter. Crumble this mixture over the apple pie filling. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours. Keep in mind, condensation can form on the lid of the crockpot and then drop onto the cake, so I recommend placing a few layers of paper towels or a dish towel under the lid to absorb that additional liquid.
photos by amie of food duchess
Author: Kim
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 335kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 311mg, Potassium: 67mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 29g, Vitamin A: 379IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 86mg, Iron: 1mg

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