This Apple Dump Cake is one of those cozy fruit desserts that brings everyone into the kitchen before you even pull it out of the oven. You start with cans of apple pie filling, add a box of yellow cake mix on top, and finish it with thin slices of melted butter. The layers settle into something warm and soft while the top turns golden brown.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Dump Cake
- Only a handful of ingredients: Everything is simple, affordable, and pantry friendly.
- No mixing bowls: You build it right in the baking dish, so cleanup is almost nothing.
- Perfect cozy texture: The apple mixture bubbles underneath while the buttery crust forms on top without dry spots.
- Easy to customize: You can switch between spice cake mix, chocolate cake mix, or any boxed cake mix you like.
- Always a huge hit: Serve it warm with a cup of ice cream or caramel sauce and watch it disappear.
Ingredient Insights
- Cans of apple pie filling: These bring sweetness and soft texture, and they help create that familiar apple version everyone loves.
- Dry cake mix: A box of yellow cake mix is classic. Spice cake mix gives you extra warmth. Duncan Hines and other boxed cake mix brands all work well.
- Butter: Thin slices melt across the top of the cake mix. This keeps the surface from forming dry spots and helps create a buttery crust.
- Cinnamon and brown sugar: These settle into the bottom of the pan with the melted butter. The mixture creates a caramel-like layer that tastes rich without extra work.
How to Make Apple Dump Cake
The full printable recipe card is below. These steps follow the recipe exactly.
Step one: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Use 1 tablespoon of butter to grease the bottom of the pan.
Step two: Stir together the teaspoons cinnamon and brown sugar. Sprinkle the mixture across the greased baking dish.
Step three: Add both cans of apple pie filling and spread them into an even layer.
Step four: Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the apples. Leave it loose. Do not stir.
Step five: Cut the remaining 1 ½ sticks of butter into thin slices. Place the slices across the top of the cake mix so the butter melts evenly.
Step six: Bake until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. Let it rest at room temperature before serving so the layers settle.
Substitutions & Variations
- Spice cake mix: Swap in spice cake mix for a deeper fall flavor because it adds warmth without adding extra steps.
- Fresh apples: Use peeled and sliced fresh apples mixed with a little apple pie spice for a fresh fruit version.
- Other dump cake recipes: Try cherry pie filling for cherry dump cake or canned peaches for peach dump cake. You can even use chocolate cake mix with apples if you want a richer dessert.
Crissy’s Apple Dump Cake Tips
- Slice the butter thin: Thin slices melt evenly and prevent dry spots on the top of the cake mix.
- Spread everything evenly: Keep each layer even so the buttery crust forms properly.
- Watch the bake time: Go by color and bubbling instead of the clock since every oven is a little different.
- Add caramel syrup: A drizzle of caramel sauce makes the apple mixture taste like a bakery dessert.
- Serve it warm: A scoop of vanilla ice cream melts into the apples and makes the texture even better.
- Try a crock pot apple dump cake: Layer everything in the slow cooker and cook on high until the top looks set.
- Store leftovers correctly: Keep leftovers in an airtight container so the flavor stays fresh.
- Use the right pan: A 9×13 baking dish or cake pan works best and keeps the bake time consistent.
- Use fresh fruit sometimes: Fresh apples and even a mix of apples and canned filling add more texture.
- Let it settle: A short rest helps the buttery crust firm up before you scoop it.
Storage Instructions
- Room temperature: Keep it out for up to 2 hours before storing.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Warm servings in the microwave or oven.
- Freezer: Freeze portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and warm gently to keep the buttery crust soft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Slice them thin and mix with sugar and apple pie spice before baking.
The butter probably didn’t cover the dry cake mix. Even spacing and thin slices help fix this.
Yes, however, I prefer dry heat for this recipe. To try it in the Crock Pot you can layer it the same way in the slow cooker and cook on high until the top looks set.
This Apple Dump Cake is the kind of sweet treat you make when you want something warm and comforting without much work. The apples, the buttery crust, and the simple cake mix come together in a way that feels nostalgic and easy. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or a little caramel sauce and watch it become a quiet favorite in your home.
More Easy Dump Cakes
Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 1 ½ sticks butter plus 1 tablespoon
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar packed
- 2 cans apple pie filling 20 ounces each
- 1 box yellow cake mix 15.25 ounces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Use the 1 tablespoon of butter to grease the bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the buttered pan.
- Add the apple pie filling and spread it out. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top. Cut the 1 ½ sticks of butter into small pieces and place them evenly over the cake mix.
- Bake for 55 minutes to 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown. Let it rest a few minutes before serving.
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This sounds delicious but can I use fresh apples since I have a surplus. What changes would I make? Thanks.
Love this recipe this time of year (spring! And summer…) every time I bring it to a gathering it gets rave reviews.
Thanks for sharing!
I make homemade apple pie filling in a jar. How much of it may I use for this recipe??
I made it is written it was delicious thank you
Can I freeze apple dump cake or cherry dump cake?
I love the fact that you love cooking and Jesus – so refreshing – good luck in the future !
Hi! I make and enjoy the cherry dump cake and I spray the baking dish with Pam. The recipe I have uses 1 stick of butter that I slice into thin slices and they go on top of the cake before baking. I was wondering can I use Pam to spray the bottom of the baking dish? Since I am Diabetic I try to cut down on both fats and sugars and have been enjoying being on a plant based diet or vegan and will sometimes “splurge” for special occasions like my 70th Birthday I just made the cherry dump cake and it’s my favorite! I love apples so would like to try this recipe too. Thanks!
You definitely can use pam to spray the dish! :)