I am a huge believer in desserts that deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort, and this Apple Dump Cake is the undisputed champion of that category. It’s a brilliantly simple, “dump and bake” recipe that transforms a handful of pantry staples into a warm, bubbly, and incredibly delicious dessert that tastes like a cross between an apple cobbler and a buttery cake.
You are going to be obsessed with this recipe because it is practically effortless and consistently perfect. It’s the ultimate comfort dessert, with a layer of warm, spiced apples topped with a rich, buttery, and slightly crunchy cake topping. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s a go-to treat that will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen.
The Ingredients for Your Effortless Dessert
- 2 cans apple pie filling (21 ounces each)
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice, divided use
- 1 box French vanilla or yellow cake mix (15.25 ounces)
- ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
- ¾ cup salted butter, melted
How to Create Your Apple Dump Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Layer
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pour both cans of apple pie filling into the prepared pan and spread them into an even layer. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of the apple pie spice over the apples and give it a quick stir to combine.
Step 2: Add the Cake Mix and Toppings
Open the box of cake mix and sprinkle the dry mix evenly over the top of the apple pie filling. It’s important to get as even a layer as possible. Sprinkle the remaining ½ teaspoon of apple pie spice over the dry cake mix. If you’re using pecans, sprinkle them over the cake mix as well.
Step 3: Drizzle with Butter
Now for the magic. Drizzle the melted salted butter as evenly as you can over the entire surface of the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the surface as possible, as the butter is what transforms the dry mix into a delicious, buttery topping.
Step 4: Bake and Serve
Bake the dump cake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is a beautiful golden brown and the apple filling is hot and bubbly around the edges. Let the cake cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. It’s best served warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
My Best Tips for This Apple Dump Cake
My Secret for the Best Topping
The key to a perfect dump cake topping is ensuring the butter covers as much of the dry cake mix as possible. I like to pour the melted butter slowly and evenly all over the top. If you see any large dry patches, you can gently tilt the pan to help the butter spread, or even add a few extra thin pats of butter to those spots before baking.
Don’t Stir!
The beauty and the entire method of a dump cake is in the name. You just dump the ingredients in layers. Resist any and all temptation to stir the cake mix into the apple filling. The distinct layers are what create the separate fruit and cake-like topping that makes this dessert so unique and delicious.
Let It Rest
It will be incredibly tempting to dig into this cake the moment it comes out of the oven, but letting it rest for at least 15 minutes is a crucial step. This allows the molten apple filling to cool down and set up slightly, which will make it much easier to scoop and serve without it being too runny.
Delicious Variations to Try
This Apple Dump Cake is wonderfully versatile. For a caramel apple version, you can drizzle a ½ cup of caramel sauce over the apple pie filling before you add the cake mix. You can also experiment with different cake mix flavors; a spice cake mix would be especially delicious in the fall. For a bit of extra texture, try using one can of apple pie filling and one can of crushed pineapple for a sweet and tangy twist.
FAQs
Can I use fresh apples instead of canned filling?
Yes, you can! To use fresh apples, you’ll need about 6-7 medium apples, peeled and sliced. Toss them with some sugar and cinnamon and layer them in the bottom of the pan. You may need to bake the cake for a little longer, around 50-60 minutes, to ensure the apples become tender.
Do I really just pour the dry cake mix on top?
Yes, you really do! It might seem strange, but as the cake bakes, the butter melts down and combines with the dry mix, creating a delicious, buttery, and slightly crunchy cobbler-like topping. It’s a little bit of kitchen magic.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store any leftover dump cake, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave, or you can reheat the entire dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.
Apple Dump Cake
- Total Time: 55
- Yield: 10-12 servings 1x
Description
This Apple Dump Cake is the undisputed champion of desserts that deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort. This brilliantly simple, “dump and bake” recipe transforms a handful of pantry staples into a warm, bubbly, and incredibly delicious dessert that tastes like a cross between an apple cobbler and a buttery cake. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s a go-to treat that’s practically effortless and consistently perfect.
Ingredients
2 cans apple pie filling (21 ounces each)
1 teaspoon apple pie spice, divided use
1 box French vanilla or yellow cake mix (15.25 ounces)
½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
¾ cup salted butter, melted
Instructions
Prepare the Apple Layer:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pour both cans of apple pie filling into the pan, spread evenly, and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of apple pie spice.
Add the Cake Mix and Toppings:
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the apple pie filling. Sprinkle the remaining ½ teaspoon of apple pie spice and the optional chopped pecans over the cake mix.
Drizzle with Butter:
Drizzle the melted salted butter as evenly as possible over the entire surface of the dry cake mix.
Bake and Serve:
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Let the cake cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. It is best served warm.
Notes
Don’t Stir:
The key to a dump cake is not to stir the layers. The distinct layers of fruit filling and dry cake mix combine with the butter during baking to create the perfect cobbler-like texture.
Caramel Apple Version:
For a decadent twist, drizzle about ½ cup of caramel sauce over the apple pie filling before adding the dry cake mix.
Using Fresh Apples:
If you prefer to use fresh apples, you’ll need about 6-7 medium apples, peeled and sliced. Toss them with sugar and cinnamon before layering them in the pan. The baking time may need to be increased to 50-60 minutes to ensure the apples become tender.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 50
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: apple dump cake, easy apple dessert, cake mix recipe, dump and bake, cobbler, fall baking
