This apple dump cake is my go-to dessert recipe for fall with only 5 simple pantry ingredients! It’s the easiest apple dessert that is cozy, sweet and practically effortless.
When apples are in season I can’t resist also making apple dessert recipes galore, whether it’s apple pie cupcakes, this apple crumble or this apple cobbler!
Table of Contents
Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe
Apple dump cake is an easy boxed cake mix recipe made with apple pie filling, dry cake mix, cinnamon sugar and melted butter! As it bakes, the cake mix forms a golden crust, while the apples become tender and flavorful, creating a minimal effort sweet dessert!
I adapted this apple cake recipe from my classic dump cake recipe and added seasonal ingredients for the best fall flavor. It’s a nice change from my favorite summer peach dump cake recipe or blueberry dump cake and this chocolate dump cake recipe.
Made with 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep, it’s perfect when you need a last minute treat during the fall. It tastes similar to apple pie but with a cake topping and we love to add a scoop of ice cream and caramel sauce for a caramel apple feel!
Dump Cake Ingredients
This is all it takes for a quick dessert any night of the week. You could even skip the added cinnamon and sugar and make this cake with only 3 ingredients!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Apple pie filling: I love the ease of using the premade apple filling, whether it’s canned apple pie filling or homemade.
- Yellow cake mix: The cake mix is a super easy way to skip mixing a lot of ingredients.
- Brown sugar: Just a little extra sweetness to play off the apples.
- Cinnamon: This spice warms up any fall dessert.
- Butter: I like using salted as it enhances the flavors, and the butter gives the cake mix the liquid it needs to bake.
Topping Ideas
- Whipped cream: We love to serve this apple dump cake with homemade whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg on top.
- Vanilla ice cream: Nothing beats a warm slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Caramel sauce: Want to take it to a whole new level? Drizzle with salted caramel sauce for a caramel apple dump cake.
- Candied pecans: Candied nuts or chopped nuts taste delicious on top as well.
How to Make Apple Dump Cake
Just 5 minutes and only a few steps to create this fun fall apple dessert.
- Combine. Mix together the cake mix, brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Dump. Pour the apple pie filling into a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Add cake mix and butter. Sprinkle the cake mix mixture over the apple filling. Cut the butter into thinly sliced pieces and place evenly on top of cake mix.
- Bake. Bake the cake in the oven at 350°F for about 35 to 45 minutes, or until the top is bubbling and has a golden brown color.
Baking Tips
- A 9×13-inch pan will work too, however the cake won’t be as thick.
- Make sure to slice the butter thin and spread out evenly over the top of the cake mix.
- If you’d prefer, you can melt the butter and drizzle it over top.
- If there is a dry spot after removing it from the oven, just add some additional butter and place back in the oven for a few minutes.
- Have a can of pumpkin on hand? Make this pumpkin dump cake recipe, too!
Love apple recipes? You’ll also love these homemade apple fritters, Dutch apple pie and apple turnovers.
More Easy Apple Desserts
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Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 1 (28-ounce) can apple pie filling
- 1 (18-ounce) yellow cake mix
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 10-12 Tablespoons salted butter , thinly sliced
- ¼ cup chopped pecans , optional
For serving: Vanilla ice cream or Whipped cream, Caramel sauce
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add pie filling to dish. Pour 28 can of apple pie filling onto the bottom of a 9×9-inch pan. You could also use a 9×13-inch pan if you don't want it as thick.
- Add cake mix and butter. In a medium bowl, stir together the boxed cake mix, 2 Tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until combined. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the apples. Place 10 Tablespoons butter slices over the top of the cake mix. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped pecans, if desired.
- Bake. Bake 35 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
This recipe can easily be made in your slow cooker as well. Pour the apple filling into the bottom of the crockpot. Sprinkle the cake mixture on top and then add the butter slices. Cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours (or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours).
Absolutely! Simply replace the canned apples with 3 apples that have been peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes and mixed with 2 Tablespoons brown sugar.
While this dessert tastes best fresh from the oven, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Just cool completely, cover with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container before storing the fridge.
While yellow cake mix is the preferred option, white cake mix or spice cake mix could work! Use gluten-free if needed.
Categorized as: American, Cake + Cupcakes, Crisps + Cobblers, Crockpot, Desserts, Fruit Desserts
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Easy of making this recipe. Was delicious and great with ice cream
Yum! Thanks for the review.
Made this last night for company. I was disappointed, it came out very dry. Even our guests picked out the apples and left much of the “crust”.
Suggestions? It tasted great, so I’d like to try making this again.
Hi Shelley, you could try adding a few extra Tablespoons of butter so the whole pan is covered.
I used spice cake and as delicious as it was easy! The only problem is stopping after one serving
I used fresh apples, as I had no canned filling. Lots of brown sugar & cinnamon…Literally everyone raved about this recipe! Not a single crumb left!
Sounds perfect! Thank you for sharing! I am glad that you loved it.
This gets rave reviews every time I make it!
So glad to hear, thanks for you review :)
This cake was so easy to make! Brought it to a potluck and everyone loved it.
So happy to hear that, Lisa!
This is a must-try apple dump cake recipe! It is so easy and quick to make. It is also tasty. I’ll gladly make this again. YUM!
It is so easy to make! Thanks for your review :)
What a delicious and easy way to welcome in fall. Can’t wait to make this again when we have company!
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Gen! It’s one of our fall favorites :)
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Very delicious and easy to make.
Great with items in our pantry!
So glad you enjoyed it, Laura :)
i’m making this on Tues for my bunco group, can’t wait!
How fun! Hope everyone enjoys! :)
Crazy good especially for as easy as it is to make. Thank you for sharing.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it :)
I wonder how a spice cake mix would taste. I love spice cake.
I haven’t tried but I’m sure it would taste delicious!
This was a big hit at Thanksgiving!! I added a little extra brown sugar on top of the butter before baking , for extra crispness!!! 😋😋
That’s a great idea! So glad everyone enjoyed it :)
Not yet. But will soon with grandkids
This recipe is a winner! So easy and delicious!
SO easy and absolutely delicious! My husband has already asked me to make this dump cake again!!
Yum!