Effortless Fall Delight: The Ultimate 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake Recipe
Discover the magic of simplicity with this incredible 3-ingredient Apple Dump Cake recipe! Perfect for cozy evenings and festive gatherings, this dessert combines tender, crumbly cake with a warm, spiced apple pie filling, delivering comfort in every spoonful. Forget complicated baking – with just a few pantry staples, you can create a show-stopping dessert that tastes like it took hours, but only requires minimal effort.
Why This Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe Works So Well
Dump cakes have truly revolutionized the dessert landscape for home bakers and dessert lovers alike. They stand out for their incredible ease of preparation, requiring virtually no special skills or extensive baking experience. This particular Apple Dump Cake embodies that philosophy, transforming a box of yellow cake mix, ready-to-use apple pie filling, and a touch of butter into a delightful, cobbler-like creation that’s both comforting and incredibly delicious. The beauty of this recipe lies in its “dump-and-bake” method: simply layer your ingredients, pop it in the oven, and wait for the kitchen to fill with the most inviting aroma of baked apples and warm spices.
The result is a tender, golden-brown topping that’s beautifully crumbly, perfectly complementing the sweet, gooey spiced apple pie filling beneath. It’s a dessert that feels indulgent and homemade, yet takes only about 15 minutes of active prep time before baking. Ideal for busy weeknights, holiday potlucks, or simply when you’re craving a quick, comforting treat, this apple dump cake is bound to become a new family favorite. Serve it warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a luxurious drizzle of caramel sauce to elevate the experience. For those who adore the marriage of apples and caramel, be sure to check out our dedicated caramel apple dump cake recipe for an even richer, caramel-infused twist.
Essential Ingredients for Your Apple Dump Cake
Crafting this scrumptious apple dump cake requires only a handful of readily available ingredients, making it a perfect last-minute dessert option. While the complete, printable recipe with precise measurements and detailed instructions can be found at the end of this post, let’s take a closer look at the three stars of this simple yet satisfying dish.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the signature texture and flavor of this beloved dump cake. Here’s what you need to know, along with some helpful substitution tips:
CAKE MIX: You’ll need one standard package (typically 15.25 ounces) of yellow cake mix. The magic here is using the dry mix directly; it absorbs the moisture from the apple pie filling and butter, baking into a delightfully soft, crumbly, and golden topping reminiscent of a cobbler. Feel free to experiment with other cake mix flavors to tailor the dessert to your taste. White cake mix offers a slightly milder vanilla base, French vanilla can add an extra layer of sweetness, and a spice cake mix will significantly enhance the warm, autumnal notes, pairing beautifully with the apples. Important: Do NOT prepare the cake mix with eggs, oil, or water as per the box instructions. You only need the dry powder for this recipe.
APPLE FILLING: The foundation of this dump cake is its luscious apple pie filling. Canned apple pie filling (we usually use two 21-ounce cans for a 9×13 dish) is our preferred choice due to its sheer convenience and consistent results, aligning perfectly with the “dump cake” philosophy of quick and easy. However, you have options! You could also use canned “fried apples” for a slightly different texture, or even prepare your own homemade apple pie filling if you have the time and desire for a more custom flavor profile. If making your own, ensure it’s slightly thickened to prevent a watery cake base.
BUTTER: This is arguably the most critical ingredient for achieving the perfect dump cake topping. You’ll need ¾ cup of cold, salted butter, sliced very thinly. As the butter melts in the oven, it coats the dry cake mix, allowing it to bake into that wonderful, crumbly, and slightly crispy crust. Do not be tempted to omit or skimp on the butter, as it provides the necessary fat for the cake mix to properly bake and become golden. The salted butter also adds a lovely depth of flavor that balances the sweetness of the apples and cake mix.
Optional Additions for Enhanced Flavor: While most canned apple pie fillings already contain a blend of warm spices, you can certainly amplify these flavors. Consider sprinkling an extra ½ to 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, or a dedicated apple pie spice blend over the apple filling or mixed into the dry cake mix. For a delightful textural contrast and nutty flavor, you can also incorporate about ½ cup of chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans into the cake mix layer or sprinkle them over the top before baking. A tablespoon of brown sugar sprinkled on top with the butter can also add an extra layer of caramelization.
Crafting Your Delicious Apple Dump Cake: Step-by-Step Guide
These step-by-step photos and instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of making this delightful dessert. For the complete, printable version of this recipe, including all measurements and instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking from the moment your cake goes in.
- Lay the Apple Foundation: Evenly spread the entire contents of your canned apple pie filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Make sure the apples cover the bottom of the dish from edge to edge to create a consistent base for your cake topping.
- Sprinkle with Cake Mix: Next, take your dry cake mix and sprinkle it uniformly over the apple pie filling. The goal is to create an even layer of cake mix, covering as much of the apple filling as possible. This ensures that the butter can effectively moisten and bake the cake mix into a cohesive topping.
- Butter for a Golden Crust: Using a sharp knife or a mandoline, slice your cold, salted butter into very thin pieces. Carefully spread these thin pats of butter over the entire surface of the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the cake mix as you can to ensure even browning and a moist, tender crumb.
TIP: While thin pats are recommended for optimal coverage and texture, you can also melt the butter and pour it evenly over the cake mix. However, many find that the pats provide a more even absorption into the cake mix, resulting in a superior crumb. Generally, ¾ cup of butter is enough to cover a standard dump cake. Don’t worry if a few dry patches of cake mix remain visible after baking; they often add a delightful crispness. If you’re concerned, you can peek at the cake around the 30-minute mark and add a few more thin butter slices to any noticeably dry areas.
- Bake to Perfection: Place your baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the topping is beautifully browned and the apple pie filling beneath is visibly bubbling around the edges. This bubbling indicates that the apples are thoroughly heated and the flavors have melded perfectly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the dump cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. It is absolutely divine served warm, especially when accompanied by a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream and/or a generous drizzle of rich caramel sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Your Apple Dump Cake
To maintain its freshness and deliciousness, store your apple dump cake covered with an airtight lid or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. It will keep well at room temperature for approximately 3-4 days. For extended freshness, especially if your kitchen is warm, storing it in the refrigerator can prolong its shelf life to about 5-7 days. Always ensure it’s fully cooled before covering to prevent condensation.
Yes, this apple dump cake freezes beautifully! Allow the cake to cool completely before preparing it for the freezer. To prevent freezer burn, wrap the cooled cake a couple of times in plastic wrap, ensuring it’s sealed tightly, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight. You can then gently reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm the entire cake in a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) until heated through.
Absolutely! There are a couple of ways to incorporate caramel. If you’re looking for a truly caramel-centered recipe where the caramel is baked directly into the cake, we recommend checking out our dedicated Caramel Apple Dump Cake, which offers a rich, integrated caramel flavor. Alternatively, for a simpler addition, you can swirl some caramel sauce directly into the apple pie filling layer before sprinkling the cake mix, or simply use caramel sauce generously as a garnish when serving. A drizzle over warm ice cream and the cake is always a winner!
Delightful Serving Suggestions for Your Apple Dump Cake
The beauty of apple dump cake is its versatility in serving. While it’s undeniably wonderful on its own, a few simple additions can elevate it to an extraordinary dessert experience. We are particularly fond of serving this dump cake warm, allowing the heat to release the aromatic spices and create a comforting embrace. A generous scoop of rich vanilla ice cream melting over the warm cake is a classic pairing that cannot be beaten. For an extra touch of decadence, a drizzle of caramel sauce over the ice cream and cake adds a luxurious sweetness that perfectly complements the tartness of the apples.
Beyond the classic, consider these garnish ideas to customize your dessert: a dollop of freshly whipped cream dusted lightly with a pinch of apple pie spice, a sprinkle of finely chopped nuts (like toasted walnuts or pecans) for added crunch, or even a handful of mini chocolate chips for a surprising twist. A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or a light dusting of powdered sugar can also add a simple yet elegant finish. Pair your warm apple dump cake with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of crisp apple cider for the ultimate fall treat.
Explore More Irresistible Dump Cake Recipes!
If you’ve fallen in love with the simplicity and deliciousness of this apple dump cake, you’re in for a treat! The world of dump cakes is vast and varied, offering endless quick and easy dessert options for every season and craving. Here are some of our other favorite dump cake recipes that you absolutely must try:
- 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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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
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
Before You Begin
- You will need one package (15.25 ounces) of yellow cake mix. Optionally substitute with white cake mix, French vanilla, or even a spice cake mix. Do not prepare or bake the cake mix, you only need the dry mix to make this dish work.
- You can use canned apple pie filling, canned “fried apples”, or make your own apple pie filling. We opt for canned apple pie filling as it’s quick and convenient which falls right in line with the concept of dump cake!
- Most pie filling already has warm spices added, but feel free to add cinnamon, nutmeg, or apple pie spice. You can also incorporate nuts such as walnuts or pecans into the mixture if desired.
- Store your cake covered with an air-tight lid or plastic wrap at room temperature for 3-4 days. It should keep longer if you store it in the refrigerator, around 5-7 days.
- You can freeze this dump cake for up to 1 month. Wrap the cooled cake a couple of times in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and optionally reheat.
- Serve apple dump cake warm, chilled, or at room temperature scooped into a bowl. We’re partial to serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and an optional drizzle of caramel sauce. Other garnish ideas include a dollop of whipped cream with a dash of apple pie spice, chopped nuts, or mini chocolate chips.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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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.
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Use a sharp knife or a mandolin to slice very thin pieces of butter. Spread the pieces of butter over the top of the dry cake mix, covering as much of the cake mix as possible.
TIP – You can also melt the butter and pour it over the top of the cake mix, though I find it a little easier to cover the top with pats of butter. Typically, ½ cup butter will just cover a dump cake. You may have some dry patches of cake mix when the dump cake is done baking and that is okay. You can also check on the dump cake after about 30 minutes of baking and add some additional pieces of butter over any dry patches.
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Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the topping is browned and the apple pie filling is bubbling from under the topping.
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Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and/or caramel sauce.
Nutrition
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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.