Easy & Delicious Apple Dump Cake: Your Go-To Dessert Recipe

This Apple Dump Cake Recipe is the epitome of effortless indulgence. Imagine a dessert that’s exquisitely gooey, creamy, and custardy, brimming with tender, sweet apples and infused with a comforting hint of cinnamon spice. It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it wonder that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Plus, we’ll guide you through creating an irresistible caramel version that takes this simple treat to a whole new level of deliciousness.

A slice of warm Apple Dump Cake on a white plate, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel. — Serve this delightful Apple Dump Cake warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.

author’s note

Just Dump, Bake, And Watch Everyone Enjoy!

As the holiday season approaches, bringing with it a flurry of activities and endless to-do lists, easy dessert recipes become an absolute lifesaver. And when those desserts are not only incredibly simple to prepare but also unbelievably delicious, it’s a win-win situation!

This Apple Dump Cake has quickly ascended to the top of our family favorites list. My children constantly ask for it, and even my Apple Pie-obsessed husband has requested that we make two batches next time—just for the five of us, if you can believe it! Its irresistible charm lies in its simplicity and heartwarming flavor.

The beauty of this dump cake recipe truly is its “dump-and-bake” nature. All the ingredients effortlessly combine in a single baking dish, eliminating the need for extra bowls or complicated steps. This means less mess, less stress, and more time to savor the delicious results!

Why This Apple Dump Cake Is a Must-Try

If you’re searching for a dessert that’s quick, impressive, and utterly delicious, look no further. This apple dump cake stands out for several reasons:

Effortless Preparation: True to its name, this is a “dump-and-bake” recipe. No mixing, no elaborate layering – just combine the ingredients in one pan and let your oven do the rest.
Irresistible Flavor & Texture: It boasts a unique texture, combining the tender softness of baked apples with a rich, buttery, cake-like topping. The hint of cinnamon and potential caramel notes create a truly unforgettable taste experience.
Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, a casual potluck, or simply enjoying a family meal, this dessert is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone, from kids to adults.
Customizable: While delicious on its own, this recipe offers fantastic versatility. Easily adapt it with different spices, cake mix flavors, or additional fruit for a new twist every time.
Perfect for Any Season: While often associated with fall and winter holidays, the warm, comforting flavors of apple and cinnamon make this dump cake a delightful treat any time of year.

All the essential ingredients for Apple Dump Cake laid out: cans of apple pie filling, butter pecan cake mix, ground cinnamon, unsalted butter sticks, and a bag of soft caramels. — Simple, high-quality ingredients are all you need for this amazing Apple Dump Cake.

Ingredients for the Perfect Apple Dump Cake

Crafting this delightful Apple Dump Cake requires just a few key ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the signature gooey texture and rich flavor. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:

Apple Pie Filling: The foundation of our dump cake! Using ready-made apple pie filling simplifies the process significantly, saving you time on peeling, coring, and slicing apples. It ensures consistently tender apple pieces and a perfectly sweetened fruit base that bakes down into a luscious, jam-like layer. Look for quality brands for the best flavor.
Ground Cinnamon: This warm spice is a classic pairing with apples, adding depth, aroma, and a cozy, inviting flavor profile to the dessert. It truly enhances the natural sweetness of the apples.
Ground Nutmeg (Optional): A pinch of nutmeg can elevate the spice profile, adding another layer of warmth and complexity. It’s optional, but highly recommended for those who love a richer, more traditional apple dessert flavor.
Cake Mix: This is the secret to the dump cake’s signature topping. While vanilla or yellow cake mixes are perfectly acceptable, a butter pecan cake mix offers an unparalleled nutty depth and an extra dimension of flavor that complements the apples beautifully. The “Super Moist” varieties often contain pudding, contributing to an even more tender and rich topping.
Unsalted Butter: Generous slices of unsalted butter are strategically placed over the dry cake mix. As it melts during baking, it seeps into the cake mix, creating a rich, golden, and incredibly moist topping that has a wonderful crispy-chewy texture. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dessert.
Chopped Caramels (Optional): For a truly decadent experience, chopped caramels are a game-changer. As they melt, they create pockets of sweet, gooey caramel that swirl through the apple filling, transforming this into an unforgettable Caramel Apple Dump Cake. Opt for soft, chewy caramels like Werther’s® for the best melting consistency.
Cooking Spray: Essential for lightly greasing your baking pan to ensure easy release and clean-up of your delicious dessert.

Quick Tip: Dump Cake vs. Cobbler

Many wonder about the difference between a dump cake and a cobbler. A dump cake typically uses a boxed cake mix for its topping, which becomes a buttery, moist, and slightly crumbly layer as it bakes. In contrast, an apple cobbler traditionally features a topping made from a pie crust or biscuit dough, giving it a more rustic, bread-like texture. Both usually feature a delicious fruit filling, but their toppings set them apart!

Step-by-step imagery showing the layering process of Apple Dump Cake: first the apple pie filling, then dry cake mix, sprinkled spices, and finally chopped caramels, all in a 9x13 inch baking pan. — Layering ingredients is simple: start with apple filling, then cake mix, spices, and caramels.

Expert Tips for a Perfect Apple Dump Cake

While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few expert tips can ensure your Apple Dump Cake turns out perfectly golden, gooey, and utterly delicious every single time:

Choose Your Cake Mix Wisely: The type of cake mix you use makes a significant difference in the final taste and texture. I highly recommend Betty Crocker® Super Moist Butter Pecan; its “pudding in the mix” feature creates an exceptionally moist and tender topping. If butter pecan isn’t your preference, a “Super Moist” vanilla or yellow cake mix will also yield fantastic results, ensuring that desirable gooey cake layer.
Opt for Real Caramels: If you’re making the optional caramel version, invest in quality, soft caramels. My absolute favorites are Werther’s® Soft Caramels. They melt beautifully and seamlessly blend with the apple filling, creating luscious pockets of caramel. Avoid using hard caramel bits, as they tend to retain their shape and don’t melt as evenly or become as gooey.
Evenly Distribute the Butter: Don’t skimp on the butter! A full cup (two sticks) is essential for achieving that rich, golden, and crispy topping. Slice the butter into thin, approximately 1/4-inch pieces, and arrange them evenly across the entire surface of the dry cake mix. This ensures that every bit of the cake mix gets coated and bakes into a delightful, buttery crust.
Resist the Urge to Stir: The “dump” in dump cake means you simply layer the ingredients without mixing them. Mixing will prevent the distinct layers from forming and can result in a denser, less appealing texture.
Use a Ceramic Baking Pan: While any 9×13-inch pan will work, a ceramic baking pan often provides more even heat distribution, resulting in a perfectly baked dump cake with a consistent texture and golden-brown crust.
Allow for Cooling Time: It might be tempting to dig in immediately, but letting the cake stand for at least 10 minutes after removing it from the oven allows it to firm up slightly. This makes for cleaner scoops and a more stable, yet still wonderfully gooey, dessert.

Thinly sliced butter arranged on top of dry cake mix in a baking dish, before and after baking to a golden brown. — The butter melts into the cake mix, creating a golden, delicious crust.

Delightful Variations for Your Apple Dump Cake

One of the best things about Apple Dump Cake is its versatility! Feel free to experiment with these exciting variations to create a unique dessert experience:

Smoked Apple Dump Cake: For a unique smoky flavor, grill your dump cake! Prepare it in a foil pan and cook at 350°F on your smoker or grill for 45-60 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Tropical Pineapple Twist: Add a tropical flair by mixing in 1/2 cup of well-drained crushed pineapple with your apple filling. The pineapple adds a lovely tang and extra sweetness that pairs wonderfully with apples.
Slow Cooker Convenience: Make this dessert even easier by preparing it in your slow cooker. Melt the butter and mix it with the cake mix (this is one instance where mixing is allowed for the slow cooker version!). Layer the apple filling, then the butter-cake mix topping in your slow cooker. Cook on high for 2 hours or until heated through and bubbly.
Soda Pop Dump Cake: For a slightly different texture and flavor, replace the melted butter with 18 ounces of lemon-lime soda (like Sprite® or 7 Up®). The carbonation helps create a lighter, more cake-like topping.
Berry Apple Bliss: Introduce a medley of flavors by adding 1 cup of fresh or frozen mixed berries (like blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries) to your apple filling before adding the cake mix.
Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts over the cake mix before adding the butter for an extra layer of texture and nutty flavor. This is especially good if you’re not using butter pecan cake mix.

How to Serve and Store Your Apple Dump Cake

Serving Suggestions

While delicious on its own, this Apple Dump Cake truly shines when served warm with a few classic accompaniments:

Vanilla Ice Cream: The ultimate pairing! A scoop of cold, creamy vanilla ice cream melting over the warm cake creates a delightful contrast in temperature and texture.
Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light, airy touch and a hint of sweetness that complements the rich flavors of the cake.
Caramel Sauce Drizzle: If you didn’t make the caramel version, or even if you did, an extra drizzle of homemade or store-bought caramel sauce takes this dessert to new heights of decadence.
Chopped Nuts: A sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts can add a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor.

Storage and Reheating

To keep your Apple Dump Cake fresh and delicious:

Countertop Storage: You can safely leave the cake covered on the counter at room temperature for 1-2 days. Make sure it’s in an airtight container or tightly covered with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
Refrigeration: For extended freshness, transfer any leftover dump cake to an airtight container and refrigerate it. It will stay fresh for an additional 2-3 days.
Reheating: For the best flavor and texture, leftovers are always best reheated. Pop a slice into the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or warm it in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, until warm and gooey.

More Irresistible Apple Dessert Recipes:

Desserts

Mini Apple Pies

Desserts

Apple Cheesecake Bars

Desserts

Apple Turnover Recipe

Snacks

Apple Nachos

Close-up of a freshly baked Apple Dump Cake in a ceramic dish, golden brown and bubbly.

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Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe

By

Chelsea Lords

This Apple Dump Cake Recipe is a gooey, creamy treat made with sweet apples and a hint of cinnamon spice. Plus, get the scoop on how to turn it into a Caramel Apple Dump Cake!

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
50 minutes

Cooling Time:
10 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour 10 minutes

Servings:
16 servings

Video

Equipment

9 x 13-inch baking pan
(use ceramic if possible for even baking)

Ingredients

Cooking spray
42 ounces apple pie filling (2 standard 21-ounce cans)
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, but recommended for extra warmth)
13.25 ounces butter pecan cake mix (see Note 1 for alternatives)
16 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 sticks, sliced thin)
1 cup chopped soft caramels (optional, see Note 2)
Vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch ceramic baking pan with cooking spray. This helps prevent sticking and ensures easy serving.
Evenly spread both cans of apple pie filling across the bottom of the prepared pan. Generously sprinkle with ground cinnamon and, if using, ground nutmeg.
If adding caramels, cut them in half and sprinkle them evenly over the spiced apple filling. Next, spread the dry cake mix on top of the apples and caramels in an even layer. Use the back of a wooden spoon or spatula to gently level it without pressing down. Finally, cut the unsalted butter into thin, 1/4-inch thick slices and arrange them evenly over the entire surface of the cake mix.
Bake the dump cake for 15 minutes. At this point, all the butter should be melted and bubbling. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and use a spoon to gently spread any melted butter over any exposed dry cake mix. Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for another 40–45 minutes, or until the top is a beautiful light golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly around the edges.
Once baked, remove the Apple Dump Cake from the oven and let it stand for at least 10 minutes. This crucial cooling time allows the cake to firm up slightly, making it easier to scoop and preventing it from being too runny. Spoon out generous portions into individual bowls and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy this heavenly dessert hot!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Cake Mix Choice: I absolutely adore using Betty Crocker® Super Moist Butter Pecan Cake Mix for this recipe. The “Super Moist” varieties, particularly those with pudding in the mix, yield an exceptionally tender, rich, and gooey cake layer. If butter pecan isn’t available or preferred, you can confidently use a “Super Moist” vanilla or yellow cake mix for similar luscious results.

Note 2: Caramel Addition: For an incredible caramel apple dump cake experience, consider adding 1 cup of halved Werther’s® Soft caramels. These melt beautifully into gooey pockets. It’s important to avoid using hard caramel bits, as they often fail to melt completely and can create a less desirable texture.

Nutrition Note: The nutrition information provided is calculated for the basic recipe without the optional caramels. Adding caramels will alter the nutritional values.

Storage: To maintain its freshness, keep the baked Apple Dump Cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It can be stored on the counter at room temperature for 1–2 days. For an extra day or two of freshness, refrigerate it. Always reheat leftovers gently for the best flavor and a wonderfully gooey texture.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Values may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

Love this recipe? Leave a comment below!

Apple Dump Cake Recipe FAQs

Why Is It Called Dump Cake?

A dump cake gets its name from its incredibly simple preparation method: you literally “dump” all the ingredients (like fruit or pie filling, dry cake mix, and butter) into a single baking pan without any mixing. This hands-off approach makes it one of the easiest and most fuss-free desserts to make.

What Does Apple Dump Cake Taste Like?

This Apple Dump Cake delivers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. It tastes like a warm, gooey butter cake intertwined with tender, sweet apples and a hint of spice. When made with butter pecan cake mix, it gains a delightful nutty undertone. It’s often described as similar to a cobbler, but with a uniquely softer, richer, and more buttery cake-like topping.

Does Apple Dump Cake Need To Be Refrigerated?

For optimal taste and safety, you can leave your baked Apple Dump Cake covered on the counter at room temperature for 1-2 days. If you want to keep it fresh for longer, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for an additional 2-3 days. For the absolute best flavor and gooey texture, it’s highly recommended to gently reheat any refrigerated leftovers before serving.

Can I Use Fresh Apples Instead of Pie Filling?

While apple pie filling makes this a true “dump” cake, you can certainly use fresh apples. You’ll need about 6-8 medium apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced. Toss them with 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free), 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and a squeeze of lemon juice before spreading them in the pan. This will add to the prep time and change the texture slightly, making it more akin to a traditional cobbler base.

What Kind of Pan is Best for Baking Dump Cake?

A 9×13-inch baking pan is the standard size for this recipe. While glass or metal pans work well, a ceramic baking dish is often preferred as it distributes heat more evenly, helping the dump cake to bake thoroughly and achieve a beautiful golden crust without overly drying out the edges. Always remember to lightly grease your pan!