When fall rolls around, my kitchen fills with the cozy scent of cinnamon, apples, and baked desserts. But sometimes, I don’t have the time (or energy) to roll out pie crusts or whip up a complicated cobbler. That’s where the Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe saves the day.
This dessert is as simple as its name: just dump the ingredients into a baking dish, bake, and enjoy. It combines the gooey filling of an apple pie cobbler recipe with the simplicity of a cake mix. The result? A golden, buttery topping over bubbling apple pie filling that tastes like fall in every bite.
I first made this dessert for a family gathering when I had only 30 minutes to throw something together. I grabbed a can of apple pie filling, a box of yellow cake mix, and a stick of butter. By the time everyone finished dinner, my kitchen smelled like an orchard in autumn, and the cake was gone before I could even grab a second serving.
If you love fall pies like my Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe or the rich sweetness of a Traditional Pecan Pie, you’ll appreciate how this recipe gives you those same comforting flavors with almost no effort. And if you enjoy experimenting with dump cakes, my Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake is another gooey, crowd-pleasing option.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe
This dessert is a staple for busy bakers and fall gatherings. Here’s why:
- Effortless Baking → No mixing bowls, no fuss—just layer and bake.
- Crowd-Pleaser → Whether for potlucks or holidays, this Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe always vanishes quickly.
- Seasonal Flavors → Cinnamon, apples, and buttery cake scream fall desserts.
- Budget-Friendly → Just a few pantry staples needed.
- Customizable → Add nuts, caramel drizzle, or even oats for texture.
- Beginner-Friendly → Great recipe for new bakers or kids learning to cook.
For chocolate lovers, my Chocolate Cake Recipe offers a more classic, layered bake, while this dump cake keeps things fast and simple.
Ingredients
This apple filling dump cake requires just a handful of simple ingredients:
- 2 cans (21 oz each) apple pie filling
- 1 box yellow or spice cake mix
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Optional toppings: caramel drizzle, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven → Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer Apples → Spread apple pie filling evenly in the dish.
- Add Spices → Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg over the apples.
- Dump Cake Mix → Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the filling. Do not stir.
- Top with Butter → Drizzle melted butter evenly over the dry mix.
- Optional Extras → Sprinkle nuts on top for crunch.
- Bake → Bake 40–45 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Cool Slightly & Serve →Let rest 10 minutes before scooping. Once cooled slightly, your Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe is ready to enjoy warm and gooey.
The first time I made this, I was tempted to stir the ingredients. Don’t! The magic of dump cakes comes from the layers baking together—gooey fruit on the bottom, buttery cake on top.
How to Serve Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe
The beauty of this Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe is that you don’t have to fuss over slicing or plating. Since it bakes up soft and gooey, you scoop it like a cobbler and serve it warm.
Here are my favorite ways to serve:
- Warm & Simple → Straight from the pan, no extras needed.
- With Ice Cream → Vanilla or butter pecan ice cream melting into the warm cake is irresistible.
- Caramel Drizzle → Add a swirl of caramel sauce for a caramel-apple flavor.
- Nutty Crunch → Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts after baking.
- Whipped Cream → Lightens up the richness and adds creaminess.
Story moment: At Thanksgiving last year, I served this apple dump cake recipe with 3 ingredients (just pie filling, cake mix, and butter) alongside pumpkin and pecan pie. To my surprise, it disappeared first—even faster than the classics.
How to Store Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe
If you happen to have leftovers, this Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe stores surprisingly well. While it’s best enjoyed fresh and warm, you can keep portions for later with just a few easy steps.
- Room Temperature → Cover with foil and keep for up to 24 hours.
- Refrigerator → Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer → Freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Reheat in oven or microwave.
Tips:
- Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20–30 seconds.
- Add fresh toppings like whipped cream or ice cream after reheating.
- To revive the crisp top, reheat in an oven at 325°F for 10 minutes.
I once froze a batch before a family gathering, and no one noticed when I reheated it. The texture was still gooey and buttery—just like freshly baked.
Tips to Make the Best Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe
- Don’t Stir → Layering creates the gooey fruit base and crisp topping.
- Use Spice Cake Mix → Adds extra fall flavor.
- Butter Placement → Drizzle evenly to avoid dry spots.
- Enhance Flavor → Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a dash of ginger.
- Mix-Ins → Try caramel bits, oats, or chocolate chips for variety.
- Toppings → Serve with ice cream or whipped cream for the perfect finish.
With these tricks, your Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe will taste bakery-quality while still keeping that rustic, homemade charm.
Variations of Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe
This recipe is endlessly adaptable. Try these fun twists:
- Caramel Apple Dump Cake → Drizzle caramel before baking.
- Apple Streusel Dump Cake → Add a crumble topping of oats, sugar, and butter.
- Apple Cranberry Dump Cake → Mix cranberries with apple pie filling for tart contrast.
- Apple Pecan Dump Cake → Sprinkle pecans on top before baking.
- Apple Pie Spice Mix → Swap cinnamon and nutmeg for premade apple pie spice.
- Double Fruit Dump Cake → Add cherries or pears for extra flavor layers.
One Christmas, I made an apple cranberry version with spice cake mix. The tart cranberries against the sweet apples and cinnamon were festive and unique, and it became the new holiday favorite.
FAQs
Can I make this with homemade apple pie filling?
Yes! Fresh apples cooked down with sugar and cinnamon make it even better.
Can I use different cake mixes?
Absolutely—yellow cake mix is classic, but spice or white cake mix also work.
Can I make this with fewer ingredients?
Yes, the apple dump cake recipe with 3 ingredients (just pie filling, cake mix, and butter) is a popular shortcut.
How do I prevent dry spots?
Make sure butter is drizzled evenly across the cake mix before baking.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just bake in two pans. Perfect for holidays or large gatherings.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes, cook on low for 3–4 hours. The texture will be softer, like cobbler.
Final Thoughts
The Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe is the perfect blend of pie and cake—gooey, buttery, and packed with fall flavor. It’s proof that you don’t need complicated steps to make a dessert that feels homemade and special.
Keep this Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe in your back pocket for holidays, potlucks, or any time you’re wondering what can I do with apple pie filling? And when you want a single-serve version, try my Apple Mug Cake—it has the same cozy flavors in a smaller, microwave-friendly package.
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Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe is a gooey, buttery dessert made with apple pie filling, cake mix, and butter. Easy, comforting, and perfect for fall.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (21 oz each) apple pie filling
- 1 box yellow or spice cake mix
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Optional toppings: caramel drizzle, whipped cream, vanilla ice cream
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Spread apple pie filling evenly in the dish.
3. Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg over the apples.
4. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly on top. Do not stir.
5. Drizzle melted butter evenly over the cake mix.
6. Add chopped nuts if using.
7. Bake 40–45 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
8. Cool for 10 minutes before serving warm.
Notes
Use spice cake mix for extra fall flavor.
Add caramel drizzle for a caramel apple twist.
Store leftovers in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze for 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scoop
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg