One of my favorite fall traditions is apple picking with the kids, and this 4-ingredient apple dump cake is the easiest way to bring those cozy orchard vibes home, no pie crust required.
With just 10 minutes of prep and a buttery cake mix topping, it's warm, cinnamony, and pure comfort. Since it uses pantry-friendly apple pie filling, I can save my fresh apples for Homemade Applesauce or No-Bake Apple Donuts. And if you love quick fall desserts, don't miss my Pumpkin Dump Cake, just as easy, just as delicious.
TL;DR
⭐ Only 4 ingredients! Apple pie filling, cake mix, butter, and a sprinkle of cinnamon if you're feelin' fancy.
⭐ No mixing bowls needed. Just layer everything right in the pan.
⭐ Tastes like apple pie, without the pie crust drama.
⭐ Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for max coziness.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Apple pie filling: The star of the show! It brings sweet, cinnamon-spiced apples without the work of peeling and chopping. You can substitute fresh apples here. You'll need 4-5 baking apples sliced thin, then cooked down with a little cinnamon sugar and butter. Once they cook down, you can use them in direct substitution of the canned filling.
- Cake mix: Yellow or spice cake mix works best with the fall flavor profile.
- Melted Butter: Butter melts into the cake mix as it bakes, creating that crispy, cobbler-style crust.
- Cinnamon (optionals): Gives this dump cake an extra dose of warm fall flavor.
How to make an apple dump cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray your 9x13 baking dish with baking spray. In a glass measuring cup, melt your butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds
- Dump apple pie filling into the dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon evenly over the top
- In a small bowl, mix the cake mix with the melted butter until it resembles wet sand, then spread evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
Apple Dump Cake in the Crockpot
Want to make an even more hands off dump cake? Toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work while you wrangle kids, run errands, or relax (ha!) with a good book. Here's how to do it:
- Spray your crockpot with nonstick spray, then add in the apple pie filling, sprinkle the cinnamon and top with the cake mix and melted butter situation.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4-5 hours, until golden and bubbly.
- For a crispier topping, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cook time.
Pro Tip: If you want a crispier top, take the lid off during the last 30 minutes of cooking to let some moisture escape.
Add-Ins and Flavor Variations
Once you fall in love with this apple dump cake (and trust me, you will), it's fun to switch up the flavors depending on your mood or what you've got in the pantry.
- Caramel Apple: Add a handful of caramel baking bits or a drizzle of caramel sauce over the apples before baking.
- Cherry Apple: Combine a can of apple pie filling with a can of cherry pie filling and fall twist on my cherry dump cake.
- Apple Cranberry: Mix one can of apple pie filling with one can of whole berry cranberry sauce for a tart and cozy holiday twist.
- Blueberry Apple Mashup: Combine a can of apple pie filling with a can of blueberry pie filling for a juicy, berry-apple blend. It's like my blueberry dump cake met the fall and fell in love.
Looking for more fruity dump cake ideas? Try my cozy Peach Cobbler Dump Cake, it's southern summer trapped in a baking dish. Or, if you're craving something bright and tangy, you'll love my sweet and sunny Lemon Dump Cake.
Serving, Storing, & Reheating
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra coziness.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the microwave or pop it back in the oven until warmed through.
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📖 Recipe
Apple Dump Cake (Just 4-Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 2 cans apple pie filling (22oz can)
- 1 stick melted butter
- 1 TB ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray your 9x13 baking dish with baking spray. In a glass measuring cup, melt your butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds
- Dump apple pie filling into the dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon evenly over the top
- In a small bowl, mix the cake mix with the melted butter until it resembles wet sand, then spread evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
Notes
- Crockpot Instructions: Spray your crockpot with nonstick spray, then add in the apple pie filling, sprinkle the cinnamon and top with the cake mix and melted butter situation. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4-5 hours, until golden and bubbly. For a crispier topping, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cook time.
- Swap the pie filling: Try using blueberry or cherry pie filling for peak summer fruity dump cake.
- Add a topping: Sprinkle with cinnamon, drizzle on caramel sauce, or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for full on fall flavors experience.
Nutrition
FAQs
Yes! Just peel and thinly slice 3-4 apples, then toss with a bit of sugar and cinnamon before layering them in the pan.
Nope! Just sprinkle it on top. You can either mix the cake mix and melted butter together like I suggest, or sprinkle the cake mix on top and then pour the melted butter over the top. Either way, you'll create that golden topping as it bakes.
Yellow cake mix is classic, but spice cake mix adds an extra warm, fall flavor that's super cozy. Feel free to play with any flavor you like though, the flavor can change, the method for making the dump cake will stay the same.
Marni Katz says
Make this for Rosh Hashana dessert this year. It's so easy and will be served room temp.