Easy Recipe for Apple Dump Cake

Apple Dump Cake made with fresh apples, cake mix and a handful of pantry staples, makes for a scrumptious, easier-than-pie, go-to dessert! 

You won’t be able to stop eating this Apple Dump Cake!  It’s a delectable mashup between apple cobbler and apple cake to create an easy, stress-free dessert that will disappear in a flash.  Best of all, this recipe uses fresh apples for superior flavor and texture AND can be assembled ahead of time.  To make this Apple Dump Cake recipe, thinly sliced Granny Smith Apples are enveloped in a brown sugar, cinnamon coating, topped with yellow cake mix, melted butter and pecans then popped in the oven to bake to tender apple, buttery cake perfection.  It’s a must bake dessert this season!

The Fall screams apple dessert recipes!  Don’t miss apple oatmeal cookies, mini apple pies, apple dumplings, apple crisp, apple cheesecake bars and of course this apple dump cake recipe.

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Watch: Apple Dump Cake with Cake Mix

 

What is a dump cake?

If you’ve never sunk your teeth into a dump cake you may be wondering what the fuss is about?  Apple Dup Cake is made of a fresh fruit or canned fruit pie filling topped with a layer of dry cake mix followed by pads of butter. As the dessert bakes, the cake mix mingles with the butter to create a soft, cakey topping overtop the tender fruit.  It should be noted that dump cake is more similar to a cobbler with its layers of fruit and topping than an actual cake in which the fruit and cake are combined in one.

APPLE DUMP CAKE RECIPE INGREDIENTS

You probably have everything you need to make this Apple Dump Cake recipe in your pantry right now except for the apples!  In addition to Granny Smith apples, you will need:

• Cake mix: use a yellow cake mix because it boasts a butterier flavor than a white cake mix. You will pour the cake mix directly onto the filling – don’t add any of the ingredients on the cake box!  
• Butter:  is used in both the apple filling and the topping.  Use unsalted butter so we can control the salt. If you only have salted butter, then omit the salt in the filling.
• Flour:  apples release a lot of moisture when baked so we need flour to help thicken the filling back up. I went conservative on the flour because nothing is worse than a gummy filling!
• Lemon juice: the slight acidity helps balance the sweetness.  The lemon juice also keeps leftover Apple Dump Cake (should you be so lucky) from turning brown.
• Brown sugar:  use light brown sugar so the molasses flavor isn’t too strong. 
• Vanilla extract: adds an extra oomph of flavor.  Use quality extract for the best flavor.
• Spices:  cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and salt enhance the flavors and balances out the sweetness.
• Pecans:  are optional but definitely recommended otherwise the Apple Dump Cake is soft on tender without any contrasting crunch.

WHAT ARE THE BEST APPLES FOR APPLE DUMP CAKE?

For this Apple Dump Cake recipe, we are going to use fresh apples. You may sub them for canned apple filling if you wish, but it won’t be quite as good.   

For this recipe, please only use Granny Smith Apples. The type of apple is critical because it affects the flavor and texture of the filling. Granny Smith apples are a sturdy baking apple that will bake up beautifully tender and not turn to applesauce.  More importantly, Granny Smith apples are slightly tart which perfectly offsets the sweetness in both the filling and the crumb topping.  If you use a different apple, your Apple Dump Cake will be too sweet, not balanced or as flavorful.

SHOULD I PEEL the apples?

Yes, please do! If you don’t peel your apples first, you’re left with an unpleasant tough texture as the skin doesn’t break down enough when baking.

How to make Apple Dump Cake with Fresh Apples

Apple Dump Cake is a beloved dessert not only because its DELICOUS but is made in three easy steps: 1) Prep Filling, 2) Add Topping, 3) Bake.  Here’s how:

STEP 1:  MAKE THE FILLING

• Whisk together the brown sugar, melted butter, flour, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and salt directly in the 9×13 baking dish.  No need to dirty another dish!
• Add the apples and gently stir until apples are evenly coated.  The mixture will be thick but will loosen as it mixes with the apples. Coating the apples in the flour/sugar mixture draws out the juices and eliminates the need for the extra water in the recipe.

STEP 2:  ASSEMBLE

• Evenly spread the dry cake mix over the apples.
• Line the thin pads of butter over the cake mix.
• Top with pecans.

STEP 3:  Bake

• Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly around the edges.
• Dig in!

Tips for Apple Dump Cake with Cake Mix

• Use Granny Smith Apples. As previously discussed, Granny Smith Apples create the perfect tender apples without becoming mushy.  Their hint of tartness also balances the sweet filling and topping so your Apple Dump Cake isn’t too sweet.
• Room temperature apples.  If you’ve been keeping your apples in the refrigerator, make sure you take them out a couple hour before baking. Room temperature apples will bake more evenly.
• Kitchen gadgets.  Peeling and slicing the apples take the majority of prep time in this recipe but if you have an apple peeler and corer and/or food processor (with attachment) for slicing the apples, your prep time can be cut in half.
• Slice apples uniformly.  Slice your apples between 1/4-1/2-inch thick, measuring half inch at the widest part.  Do not slice the apples any smaller or they will become very soft.  Uniform thinly sliced apples ensure you beautifully tender apples throughout without some crunchy ones mixed in.
• Spread the cake mix evenly.  Make sure the cake mix is evenly spread over the apples without any clumps (use a fork to break up any clumps) so that it bakes evenly.
• Use real butter.   If you want the BEST Apple Dump Cake recipe, you must use real butter, margarine won’t have the same effect.
• Thinly slice the pads of butter.  We want the pads of butter to cover as much of the topping as possible so the cake mix is moistened evenly as it bakes.
• Watch for a bubbling filling.  It’s important to bake the dump cake until the topping is golden and you see syrup bubbling up all around the edges of the pan.  This is a sign the filling has thickened in the middle.  If you skip this sign, then the filling will be runny beneath the cake.  If this happens to you, pop the dessert back in the oven and cover with foil if the topping is becoming too dark.
• Let Apple Dump Cake stand 15 minutes before serving. This will give the sauce a chance to thicken a little more as it cools.
• Serve warm. This Apple Dump Cake recipe can be served cold, warm or at room temperature but we are super fans of warm dump cake.

APPLE DUMP CAKE RECIPE VARIATIONS:

My favorite easy Apple Dump Cake is this classic recipe – but that doesn’t mean you can’t mix it up!  Here are some Apple Dump Cake recipe variation ideas:  

• Use canned pie filling.  For 5-minute prep Apple Dump Cake recipe, swap the apple filling ingredients for two 21-ounce cans apple pie filling.
• Omit nuts.  The pecans add a nice crunch to the top of the cake so I highly recommend them. Only omit them if you must.
• Swap nuts.  Use chopped walnuts or almonds instead.
• Add pears.  You can use half pears and half apples.  Pears bake more quickly than apples, so you will want to slice them thicker.  Pears are also sweeter than Granny Smith Apples, so reduce the sugar slightly.  
• Add cranberries.  Cranberries and apples are heavenly together!  Try replacing 1 ½ cups sliced apples with 1 ½ cup fresh cranberries.  Don’t use frozen cranberries because they will release too much moisture.
• Add caramel.  You can easily make this Caramel Apple Dump Cake by reducing the sugar in the filling to ¼ cup then drizzling the Apple Dump Cake all over with caramel sauce.
• Make gluten-free Apple Dump Cake.   Swap the flour in this recipe with gluten free 1 to 1 baking flour and use your favorite gluten free yellow cake mix. 
• Make vegan Apple Dump Cake.  Replace the butter with vegan butter in both the filling and the topping.  Double check that the cake mix ingredient are vegan.

HOW TO SERVE APPLE DUMP CAKE

The BEST Apple Dump Cake recipe is served warm, fresh from the oven.  It becomes exponentially more delicious with a big, cold scoop of vanilla ice cream to cut through the richness.  The cold, silky smooth ice cream mingled with the warm, sweet, tender, cinnamon apples is heavenly!   

I also love a drizzle of Caramel Sauce – because caramel makes everything better – but honestly this Apple Dump Cake doesn’t even need it!  You could also try serving it with fresh fruit such as raspberries, blackberries and/or blueberries.

How to store this Easy Apple Dump Cake

Apple Dump Cake is the very best fresh from the oven but can be stored for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.  Allow the dump cake to cool completely at room temperature. Once cool, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate or transfer to an airtight container.  Refrigerated Apple Dump Cake is good for 3-4 days.

HOW TO REHEAT APPLE DUMP CAKE?

• Microwave:  microwave servings for 45 seconds then at 20 second intervals until warmed through.   
• Oven:  cover and reheat the baking dish at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until heated though.  You can also transfer smaller portions to a smaller baking dish or cast-iron skillet to reheat.

CAN YOU MAKE APPLE DUMP CAKE AHEAD OF TIME?

Yes, you can prep Apple Dump Cake ahead of time but keep unbaked apple filling and the topping separate. 

TO PREP AHEAD:

• Prepare filling according to recipe directions in a 9×13 pan.  Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to one day.
• Slice the pads of butter and refrigerate.  Chop the pecans and store in an airtight container. 
• When ready to bake, sprinkle topping evenly over filling, add butter and pecans.
• Bake according to directions, adding an extra 5-10 minutes due to the cold start.

CAN YOU FREEZE APPLE DUMP CAKE?

Yes, baked Apple Dump Cake can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container but be aware the topping will be even softer once thawed. Thaw the frozen dump cake in the refrigerator overnight then reheat per above method.

Apple Dump Cake Recipe FAQs