Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe

There are few desserts easier than this easy apple dump cake recipe. It may not have the prettiest name, but your taste buds won’t care. 

It requires only five ingredients and a few minutes of prep. And it’ll delight anyone who takes a bite.

Trust me, you’ll crave this fruity, flavorful, and buttery treat every day of the week. 

So the next time you need a cozy fall treat, give this apple dump cake a try.

5-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake Recipe

Apple dump cake is one of the most popular dump cakes. It’s a fun and easy dessert that calls for “dumping” the ingredients into a baking dish.

The sweet, slightly spiced apples are topped with a crumbly, buttery cookie-like crumb. The result is a cross between a cobbler and apple crisp. 

It’s also budget-friendly and fuss-free!

No mixing, no extra dishes, no mess. Heck, you can even make it in a Crockpot!

Ingredients 

As mentioned, you’ll need only five ingredients for this simple recipe. They are:

• Apples. Use any you like, but Granny Smiths are perfect. The tartness balances the sweetness perfectly, and they’re sturdy enough to stand up to baking. You can also try a combo of sweet and tart apples. (Honeycrisp AND Jonathans, for example.)

• Sugar. For sweetness. It will make the dessert nice, balanced, and super tasty. 

• Cinnamon. Apples and cinnamon go together like peanut butter and jelly – only better!

• Yellow cake mix. Cake mix cuts down on the prep work and keeps the ingredient list short. Use white or yellow for classic results. Or go wild with a spiced cake mix!

• Butter. It melts with the cake mix to create a delectable topping. 

How to Make Apple Dump Cake

As mentioned, this is a super straightforward recipe. You’ll find detailed instructions in the box below. But for now, here are the highlights:

1. Prepare the apples.

Peel and chop the apples into bite-sized pieces. Don’t make them too small, or they’ll turn to mush in the oven.

Then add them to the baking dish with the cinnamon and sugar and mix until it’s all well combined. 

You can also do this in a bowl. But doing it in the dish saves on washing up!

2. Add the cake mix and butter.

Sprinkle the cake mix over the cinnamon-sugar apples. Ensure that it’s evenly distributed. 

Next, pour the melted butter over the top. Try to get it on as much of the cake mix as possible. This will make for the most heavenly topping. 

3. Bake and enjoy!

Once it’s all layered, you’ll bake the dump cake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 to 50 minutes.

When it’s done, the top will be golden brown and perfect. Cool the dump cake for about 15 minutes, serve, and enjoy! 

Tips for the Best Apple Dump Cake

I know this recipe is simple, but here’s a few tips anyway:

• Add nutmeg or vanilla. They’ll provide a bump of extra flavor.

• Use different cake mixes. Try a spice cake mix or something else to change up the flavor.

• Tilt the pan. Do this when you pour the butter on top of the cake mix. It’ll help the butter spread out evenly. 

• Leave out the butter. If you want to make it butter-free, substitute lemon-lime soda instead. 

Variations

• Add fruit. Try pineapples, cherries, or berries, for an apple dump cake combo. Just toss in a 20-ounce can of your choice of fruit and mix it with the apples.

• Sprinkle in some chopped nuts. I typically use almonds, walnuts, or pecans. They add a bit of crunch and a nice nutty flavor. 

• Make a caramel apple dump cake. Simply drizzle caramel on top of the apples, or dot chopped caramel candies in the dish. It’ll melt into the apple filling perfectly.

• Make a gluten-free version. Use gluten-free cake mix and follow the directions as normal. 

• Swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice. You’ll have a cozy fall dessert in no time. 

How to Store Apple Dump Cake

If you happen to have leftover apple dump cake (I doubt it), storage is easy.

• To store. Cover leftovers with foil and store them in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for about 3 days.

• To freeze. Transfer the cooled cake to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 2 to 3 months.

• To thaw. You can serve refrigerated apple dump cake straight from the fridge. Or you can let it warm on the counter for 2 to 3 hours. For frozen leftovers, transfer them to the fridge overnight. Then, enjoy chilled or warmed at room temperature.

How to Serve Apple Dump Cake

Apple dump cake tastes fantastic on its own. But to elevate this dessert to the next level, try these irresistible serving suggestions. 

• Ice cream. Warm cake + cold ice cream = dessert heaven. The ice cream will melt and mix with all of the heavenly flavors. Use vanilla, butter pecan, or salted caramel.

• Whipped cream. Lighten it up with whipped cream, or use Cool Whip for an even quicker topping.

• Salted caramel sauce. A drizzle of warm, gooey salted caramel sauce will make the cake extra indulgent. You can buy it ready-made and warm it up on the stove.

• Hot beverages. Serve the cake with a spiced chai latte or a hot toddy. The warm flavors will complement the cinnamon so well.

More Apple Recipes You’ll Love

Apple Strudel Recipe
Apple Coffee Cake
Apple Brown Betty
Apple Fritters
Apple Bread

Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

50

minutes

Calories

310

kcal

There are few desserts easier than this apple dump cake. It may not have the prettiest name, but your taste buds won’t know the difference. 

Ingredients

• 6 cups apples, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces (about six medium apples)

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1 box yellow cake mix

• 3/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and lightly grease a 13×9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• Peel, core, and chop the apples into bite-sized pieces (one-inch cubes).
• Mix the chopped apples, sugar, and cinnamon in the bottom of the baking dish. Then spread the apples to cover the bottom of the dish evenly.
• Top the apples with a layer of dry cake mix. Gently shake the pan to distribute all of the mix over the apples.
• Pour the melted butter on top of the cake mix.
• Bake the cake for 45 to 50 minutes. When the top is light golden brown, it’s done!
• Once baked, cool the apple cake for about 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

• To distribute the butter evenly, tilt the pan and let it spread over the cake mix.

Kim - InsanelyGood

Hey there! I'm Kim. I love running, cooking, and curling up with a good book! I share recipes for people who LOVE good food, but want to keep things simple :)

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