Irresistibly Easy 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake: Your Go-To Fall Dessert Recipe
As the leaves begin to turn and the air gets a crisp chill, there’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting dessert to gather around with loved ones. Our apple dump cake recipe perfectly captures that cozy fall feeling with its tender, crumbly cake topping and luscious, spiced apple pie filling. The best part? You only need three simple ingredients to create this magic: canned apple pie filling, a box of yellow cake mix, and a stick of butter. It’s truly a “dump and bake” masterpiece that promises maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Why This Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe Will Become Your Favorite
Dump cakes are a revelation in the world of desserts, offering an unparalleled level of convenience without sacrificing flavor or that homemade touch. This particular apple dump cake stands out for several compelling reasons:
- Effortless Preparation: As the name suggests, you literally “dump” the ingredients into a baking dish. There’s no mixing bowls, no elaborate steps, and very minimal cleanup. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights, impromptu gatherings, or when you simply crave a delicious dessert without the fuss.
- Perfect Texture Blend: The combination of a sweet, spiced apple pie filling and a dry cake mix topped with butter creates a truly unique texture. As it bakes, the butter melts into the cake mix, forming a golden, crumbly, cobbler-like topping that beautifully complements the soft, warm apples underneath. It’s a delightful contrast of tender and crisp in every bite.
- Pantry Staples: All you need are three readily available ingredients: canned apple pie filling, a box of cake mix, and butter. These are items most people already have in their pantry, making this recipe incredibly accessible and budget-friendly.
- Versatility at its Best: While incredibly satisfying on its own, this apple dump cake serves as a fantastic base for various toppings. A scoop of vanilla ice cream, a generous drizzle of caramel sauce, or a dollop of whipped cream can elevate it to a gourmet-level treat. You can even explore our dedicated caramel apple dump cake recipe if you’re a true caramel enthusiast looking for that rich, buttery caramel goodness infused throughout the cake.
With just about 15 minutes of prep time and pantry staple ingredients, this apple dump cake is bound to become your new favorite autumn (or any season!) dessert. Simply dump, bake, and scoop into a bowl for an instant classic.
Simple Ingredients You Will Need for Apple Dump Cake
To make this incredibly simple and delicious apple dump cake, you only need three core ingredients. You can find all specific measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the very end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
Cake Mix
You’ll need one standard package (15.25 ounces) of dry yellow cake mix for this recipe. Yellow cake mix provides a classic, buttery flavor that pairs wonderfully with apples. However, don’t hesitate to get creative with your choice! French vanilla, white cake mix, or even a spice cake mix can offer delightful variations. For an extra nutty flavor, you could even try a butter pecan cake mix. Remember, the key is to use the dry mix directly from the box – do not prepare it according to package directions or add any wet ingredients to the mix itself. The dry cake mix will absorb moisture from the apple filling as it bakes, creating that signature crumbly topping.
Apple Filling
Canned apple pie filling is the hero here, chosen for its ultimate convenience and consistent flavor. Most canned fillings come pre-spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, offering a comforting aroma and taste. For a slightly different texture, you could use canned “fried apples” (often found near pie fillings). If you prefer a homemade touch and have extra time, feel free to use your own prepared apple pie filling. Just ensure it has a good saucy consistency to provide enough moisture for the cake mix. Using pre-made filling truly embodies the “dump cake” spirit, keeping prep time to an absolute minimum.
Butter
Butter is non-negotiable in this recipe – it’s what transforms the dry cake mix into a delicious, golden, crispy topping. For best results, use cold, salted butter sliced into very thin pieces. The cold butter melts slowly and evenly over the cake mix, allowing it to coat the dry particles as it bakes. If using unsalted butter, you might want to add a tiny pinch of salt to the cake mix layer for enhanced flavor. Do not skimp on the amount; the ¾ cup specified is essential for the perfect texture and richness.
Optional Additions and Flavor Boosts
While the basic three-ingredient recipe is fantastic on its own, you can easily customize your apple dump cake with a few simple additions:
- Spices: Most canned apple pie fillings already contain warm spices. However, if you crave an extra kick, sprinkle a bit more cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, or a dedicated apple pie spice blend over the apple filling before adding the cake mix.
- Nuts: For added texture and a nutty flavor, fold in about ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the apple pie filling, or sprinkle them over the dry cake mix before adding the butter.
- Caramel: If you love the apple-caramel combination but aren’t making our dedicated caramel apple dump cake, you can swirl some caramel sauce into the apple filling layer before baking, or sprinkle about ½ cup of caramel bits (found in the baking aisle) over the dry cake mix along with the butter.
- Dried Fruits: A handful of raisins or dried cranberries can add a lovely chewiness and complementary tartness to the apple filling.
- Citrus Zest: A touch of fresh lemon or orange zest can brighten the flavors of the apples and spices.
How to Make Apple Dump Cake: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature for even baking from the start.
- Spread the apple pie filling evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Make sure it forms a relatively flat and consistent layer across the bottom of the pan, as this will be the moist base for your cake.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the entire surface of the apple pie filling. Try to get as much coverage as possible without leaving large gaps. This layer will absorb the butter and moisture from the apples to form your cake topping.
- Use a sharp knife or a mandoline to slice cold butter into very thin pieces. Carefully spread these thin butter pats over the top of the dry cake mix, aiming to cover as much of the surface as possible. The thin slices allow the butter to melt slowly and evenly, creating a delicious, golden crust.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is beautifully browned and the apple pie filling is visibly bubbling around the edges and from underneath the cake layer. This indicates that the apples are heated through and the cake mix has fully absorbed the butter and moisture.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly. Serve warm for the ultimate comforting experience, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and/or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Apple Dump Cake
- Don’t Stir! The beauty of a dump cake is its layered nature. Resist the urge to stir the cake mix and butter into the apple filling. The distinct layers are what create the delicious cobbler-like topping and juicy fruit base.
- Achieving Even Coverage: When sprinkling the dry cake mix, try to make the layer as even as possible. This helps ensure that the butter melts uniformly and moistens all the cake mix, preventing overly dry patches.
- Butter Distribution: Thin slices of cold butter work best for maximum coverage. If you find it challenging to cover the entire surface with pats, you can melt the butter and drizzle it over the cake mix. However, thin pats often yield a slightly crispier, more textured topping. If you notice any dry spots about halfway through baking, you can quickly add a few more thin pats of butter to those areas.
- Pan Size Matters: A 9×13-inch baking dish is standard for this recipe, ensuring a good ratio of filling to topping and proper baking time. If using a smaller dish, your cake will be thicker and may require a slightly longer baking time; for a larger dish, it might bake faster and be thinner.
- Preventing Sticking: While generally not necessary with the butter and pie filling, you can lightly grease your baking dish if you want to be extra cautious, especially if you plan to serve individual squares directly from the pan.
- Cooling Time: Allow the dump cake to cool for at least 10-15 minutes after baking. This helps the fruit filling to set and prevents it from being too runny when scooped.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Dump Cake
Once your apple dump cake has cooled completely, you can store it covered with an airtight lid or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. It will keep well at room temperature for 3-4 days. If you prefer to extend its freshness, storing it in the refrigerator can keep it good for 5-7 days. Always ensure it’s properly sealed to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other food odors.
Absolutely! This apple dump cake freezes beautifully for up to 1 month. To freeze, allow the cake to cool completely to room temperature. Then, wrap it securely a couple of times in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight. You can then reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire cake in the oven at a low temperature (around 300°F/150°C) until heated through.
Yes, you certainly can! For a truly caramel-centered experience where the caramel is integrated directly into the cake itself, we recommend checking out our dedicated caramel apple dump cake recipe. However, if you want to add caramel to this specific recipe, you have a couple of easy options: you can swirl some caramel sauce into the apple pie filling layer before adding the cake mix, or sprinkle about ½ cup of caramel bits (soft caramel candies found in the baking aisle) over the dry cake mix along with the butter. A simple caramel sauce drizzle over the top of the baked cake, along with vanilla ice cream, is always a delicious garnish too!
Serving Suggestions for Your Apple Dump Cake
While delicious on its own, a simple apple dump cake truly shines with the right accompaniments. We are particularly fond of serving it warm, straight from the oven, with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The cold, melting ice cream against the warm, tender cake and apples is pure bliss!
Beyond vanilla ice cream, here are some other fantastic serving ideas:
- Caramel Drizzle: A luscious drizzle of warm caramel sauce adds an extra layer of sweetness and indulgence.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream, perhaps with a dash of cinnamon or apple pie spice mixed in, provides a light and airy contrast.
- Chopped Nuts: Sprinkle some toasted chopped walnuts or pecans over the top for added crunch and a nutty flavor.
- Powdered Sugar: A simple dusting of powdered sugar makes for an elegant presentation and a touch of extra sweetness.
- Different Ice Cream Flavors: Don’t limit yourself to vanilla! Cinnamon ice cream, butter pecan, or even a salted caramel ice cream would be incredible.
- Granola for Crunch: For a delightful texture contrast, sprinkle a little crunchy granola over each serving.
- Custard or Crème Anglaise: For a more sophisticated dessert, serve warm with a pool of creamy vanilla custard or crème anglaise.
Whether you prefer it warm, chilled, or at room temperature, this apple dump cake is a versatile dessert that can be dressed up or down for any occasion.
More Irresistible Dump Cake Recipes to Try
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and deliciousness of this apple dump cake, you’re in for a treat! The world of dump cakes is vast and full of simple, satisfying desserts. Here are some more fantastic dump cake recipes that are just as easy to make and equally delightful:
- Pumpkin Dump Cake
- Pineapple Dump Cake
- Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
- Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
- Blueberry Dump Cake
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Apple Dump Cake
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 42 ounces canned apple pie filling (two 21 ounce cans)
- 15.25 ounces dry yellow cake mix (1 package)
- ¾ cup salted butter (cold, sliced thin)
Things You’ll Need
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13×9 baking dish
Recipe Notes & Tips
- You will need one package (15.25 ounces) of dry yellow cake mix. Other delicious options include white cake mix, French vanilla, or spice cake mix. Remember, do not prepare or bake the cake mix beforehand; you only need the dry powder.
- Canned apple pie filling is used for convenience, but you can also use canned “fried apples” or your favorite homemade apple pie filling.
- Most pie fillings are already spiced, but feel free to add extra cinnamon, nutmeg, or apple pie spice for more flavor. Chopped walnuts or pecans can also be added for crunch.
- Store leftover apple dump cake covered at room temperature for 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
- To freeze, wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Serve this cake warm, chilled, or at room temperature. It’s especially delicious with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, whipped cream, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Spread the apple pie filling evenly into a 9×13 baking dish.
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Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the apple pie filling, covering the entire surface.
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Use a sharp knife or a mandoline to slice very thin pieces of cold butter. Carefully spread these pieces of butter over the top of the dry cake mix, ensuring as much of the cake mix as possible is covered.
TIP – While you can also melt the butter and pour it over the top, I find it a little easier to achieve even coverage with thin pats of cold butter, which also contributes to a crispier crust. Typically, ¾ cup butter will just about cover a dump cake. Don’t worry if there are a few small dry patches of cake mix when the dump cake is done baking – this is normal and part of its charm. You can also check the cake after about 30 minutes of baking and add a few additional pieces of butter over any noticeably dry spots.
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Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the topping is golden browned and the apple pie filling is bubbling vigorously from under the topping.
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Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and/or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra special treat.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.