This Apple Dump Cake recipe is layered with fresh apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar. It's finished off with a cake mix "crumble topping" for the easiest and most delicious fall dessert you can make. It tastes just like an apple pie, but without all the fuss!
If you love baking with cake mixes, also try my Cake Mix Crock Pot Peach Cobbler, Strawberry Dump Cake, Cake Mix Strawberry Cookies, and Cake Mix Cookie Bars.
Apple Dump Cake recipe
This Apple Dump Cake recipe is so darn delicious. It basically tastes like a fresh apple pie, but without all the fuss of making an actual pie. The bottom of the dessert is filled with fresh apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar. The topping tastes like the pie crust or crumble topping, but is simply made with a standard box of cake mix, instead of fussing with a lot of ingredients.
If you haven't heard of a dump cake yet, it's basically a life-hack dessert with a fruit filling on the bottom. Then you sprinkle an entire box of cake mix on the top, and then top with melted butter. The trick is NOT to stir it together; the result is like a cobbler or crisp and tastes just like freshly baked pie.
Our family, including the twins, takes a trip to a local apple farm every year and always ends up with a bunch of extra apples. This Apple Dump Cake recipe is what I make with them, and it disappears so quickly. It's so easy and delicious.
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Why You'll Love this Apple Dump Cake recipe...
- This Apple Dump Cake recipe is so delicious and uses only 5 ingredients.
- It tastes just like an apple pie, but so much easier to make and bake.
- It uses fresh apples, not canned apple pie filling.
- Even if you aren't a baker, you can do this.
- It's the perfect way to use fresh apples!
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Apple Dump Cake recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Apples: I use fresh apples for this! You will need about 6 cups of chopped apples. I love Honeycrisp apples, but you can use your favorite type, including Pink Lady, Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, and Granny Smith. If you want to make this with canned apple pie filling, use 2 21-ounce jars.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar gives this recipe that baked-apple-pie sweetness.
- Cinnamon: Another key ingredient for flavoring the apples. You can also substitute allspice or Apple Pie Spice.
- Cake Mix: Use a 15.25 box of yellow cake mix.
- Butter: Dump cake recipes often call for twice as much butter as mine does. I cut it in half, but you will need to carefully distribute the butter over the top of the cake, slightly moistening the cake mix. The butter will also need to be melted in the microwave. If there are dry parts, I add just a few drops of water to moisten them. Use as little water as possible to just barely wet it. Don't overdue this!
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions to make this Apple Dump Cake, but the full, detailed, printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prep a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- In a large bowl, mix together the chopped apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour the apples into the bottom of the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the apples, spreading evenly.
- Carefully pour the butter over the cake mix, trying to cover as much as possible. You can also have a few drops of water to moisten the batter.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until light golden brown.
- Serve with ice cream and enjoy! If you are feeling extra indulgent, top it with fresh caramel sauce.
Apple Dump Cake Variations
I love this Apple Dump Cake recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.
- Mix up the Fruit: You can make this with different berries, such as blackberries and blueberries. Also, try my Strawberry Dump Cake Recipe.
- Mix up the Cake Mix: You can swap the yellow cake mix for white cake mix or even spice cake mix
- Make it with 3 Ingredients: Substitute 2 21-ounce cans of apple pie filling for the freshly cut strawberries.
- Add Nuts: You can also add your favorite nuts, such as pecans or walnuts.
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftover of the Strawberry Dump Cake in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I would not try to freeze a dump cake.
Can you use fresh apples for apple dump cake?
Yes! If using fresh apples, swap out the 2 cans of apple pie filling for 6 cups of fresh apples, plus ⅓ cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
What's the biggest mistake to avoid when making a dump cake?
The biggest mistake is stirring the layers, which will mess up the natural layers process that creates the cobbler-like texture.
Apple Dump Cake
This Apple Dump Cake is the easiest and most delicious fall dessert. I love how simple it is, but it tastes so rich and indulgent. Give it a try and let me know what you think! This one is twin-tested and approved!
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Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 6 cups apples, chopped
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 box yellow cake mix, 15.25 ounces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prep a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- In a large bowl, mix together the chopped apples, brown sugar and cinnamon. Pour the apples into the bottom of the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix on top of the apples, spreading evenly.
- Carefully pour the butter on top of the cake mix, doing your best to cover as much as possible. You can also had a few drops of water to moisten the batter.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until light golden brown.
- Serve with ice cream and enjoy!
Notes
Storage & Leftovers
Nutrition
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