Home Desserts Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe

Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe

There are few desserts easier than this apple dump cake recipe.

It may not have the prettiest name, but your taste buds won’t know the difference. 

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
Fruity and Flavorful Apple Dump Cake

With just a few ingredients and a few minutes of prep, this dessert will delight anyone that 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 flavors of dump cake – 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, making it almost like a cross between a cobbler and apple crisp. 

It only requires five ingredients, so it’s budget-friendly and fuss-free!

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

Apple Dump Cake Ingredients - Apples, Sugar, Cinnamon and Yellow Cake Mix

Ingredients 

  • Apples – Use any apple you like. But I find that Granny Smiths are fantastic for this recipe. The tartness balances the sweetness perfectly, and they’re sturdy enough to stand up to baking.
    • Use a combination of sweet and tart apples if you like more of a mix.
    • Try Honeycrisp with Jonathans. 
  • Sugar – For sweetness. It will make the dessert nice and 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. 
Homemade Apple Dump Cake in a White Casserole

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’s 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!

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

2. Add the cake mix and butter.

Sprinkle the cake mix over the cinnamon-sugar apples, ensuring it’s evenly distributed. 

Next, pour the melted butter over the top, and 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 (175°C) 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:

  • For extra flavor, add some nutmeg or a dash of vanilla extract. 
  • Use different cake mixes, like spice cake mix, to change up the flavor.
  • When you pour the butter on top of the cake mix, tilt the pan to let it spread out. 
  • If you want to make this dump cake butter free, use lemon-lime soda instead. 

Variations

  • Add fruit, like 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, like almonds, walnuts, or pecans. It will add a bit of crunch and a nice nutty flavor. 
  • For a caramel apple dump cake, 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 with gluten-free cake mix. Follow the directions as normal. 
  • Swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice. You’ll have a cozy fall dessert in no time. 
Homemade Apple Dump Cake with Ice Cream

How to Store Apple Dump Cake

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

Just cover any leftovers with foil and store them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for about three days. 

To Freeze

If you want to save the apple dump cake for longer, you can freeze it, too.

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

To serve the apple cake out of the freezer, place it in the refrigerator overnight or leave it on the countertop at room temperature for 2-3 hours.

Once it’s thawed, it’s ready to enjoy. 

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. 

  • 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.
  • Lighten it up with whipped cream. Or use Cool Whip for an even quicker topping.
  • Make it extra indulgent with a drizzle of warm, gooey, salted caramel sauce. You can even buy it ready-made and warm it up on the stove.
  • Serve it 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 6 peeled apples cut into bite-sized pieces (about six medium apples)

  • 1/2 cup 1/2 granulated sugar

  • 11/2 teaspoons 11/2 ground cinnamon

  • 1 1 box yellow cake mix

  • 3/4 cup 3/4 butter, melted

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C), 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. To distribute it, tilt the pan and let the butter spread out.
  • 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.
Apple Dump Cake

Did you like the recipe?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 4.8 / 5. Vote count: 14

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Thanks!

Share on social media:

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

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 :)

Leave a Comment