Easy Apple Dump Cake recipe with just 4 simple pantry ingredients! Cake mix & apple pie filling transform into a delicious apple dessert perfect for any occasion.
Perfect for a simple treat with the family or feeding a crowd. You are going to love how easy this recipe comes together!
Sarah here from Feeding Your Fam stopping by to bring you this classic recipe for Apple Dump Cake. This is one of those recipes that has been in the family recipe books for years, and for good reason, it is a keeper!!
What is Dump Cake?
Dump Cake is pretty much exactly what the name says. All you need to do is literally dump the ingredients in a pan and bake. The results are a cross between an apple crisp and apple cobbler. This is the perfect, simple apple dessert recipe!
Ingredients for Apple Dump Cake:
This is all you will need to make this delicious Apple Dump Cake Recipe
- Apple pie filling: You’ll need TWO 20-oz cans. I prefer to get the kind that indicates “extra apples!”
- Cinnamon: You’ll sprinkle the apples with plain ole ground cinnamon for extra flavor.
- White or Yellow Cake mix: Use what you have on hand- even spice cake would work in this case
- Butter, unsalted: Ok, you can use salted if you prefer. You’ll need 1 cup, or 2 cubes of butter, sliced into squares.
How to make a Dump Cake
The first step to making this dump cake recipe is to get your oven heating up to 350ºF. Then prepare a 9 x 13 baking dish by spraying the bottom and sides with cooking spray.
Pour the apple pie filling into the bottom of the prepared pan and spread out evenly. Sprinkle with the cinnamon.
After the apple pie filling is evenly spread in the pan, sprinkle the cake mix over the top of the pie filling, using the back of a spoon or spatula to spread even.
Next, slice the butter into about 1 tablespoon pieces and place on top of the cake mix. Bake the cake for 45-55 minutes.
The cake is done when the top is golden brown and the apples underneath are hot and bubbling.
Serve warm and top individual servings with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!!
Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 40 oz apple pie filling two 20-oz cans
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 15.25 oz cake mix white or yellow
- 1 cup butter, unsalted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish
- Spread both cans of apple pie filling into bottom of prepared baking dish
- Sprinkle cinnamon over pie filling
- Sprinkle cake mix evenly over pie filling. Top cake mix with 1 tbsp slices of butter.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, until top is golden brown and apples are hot and bubbling.
Video
Nutrition
Can I use anything in place of butter?
If you’re trying to be a bit healthier, you can replace the butter with a 12-oz can of lemon lime or cream soda. It does add sugar (unless you use a diet version) but it will lower the fat and calorie content.
Can you make dump cake ahead of time?
This cake is best served close to when it’s done baking so that the cake topping is buttery crisp and crumbly. As the cake sits, it will absorb more moisture from the apples.
Do you refrigerate Dump Cake?
Yes, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Can I use homemade apple pie filling?
Yes, you’re welcome to use homemade apple pie filling. My friend has a great recipe: Homemade Apple Pie Filling is the perfect way to cook up your apples. These tender sweet-tart apples take just minutes to prep and taste so much better than the canned version! They can be used in pies or tarts or in any recipe that calls for a can of apple pie filling!
Enjoy Apple recipes? So do we!
- MINI APPLE PIES
- APPLE PIE BARS
- APPLE BANANA BREAD
- GLAZED APPLE CINNAMON BREAD
- DUTCH APPLE BREAD RECIPE
- APPLE CIDER SYRUP RECIPE
- SNICKERS APPLE SALAD
- SNICKERDOODLE APPLE COBBLER
- CARAMEL APPLE NACHOS
- EASY CINNAMON APPLE CAKE
Easy Apple Dump Cake recipe with just 4 simple pantry ingredients! Cake mix & apple pie filling transform into a delicious apple dessert perfect for any occasion.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I made your recipe for a gathering the other day and everyone kept asking for the recipe. It was totally a hit!
Renee Goerger says
I’m super excited about the simplicity of this recipe. It’s one of my favorite quick and easy go-to successes when I want something sweet.
Kelly says
Can I use something other than Apple pie filling?
Jessica says
I included a link to a recipe for homemade quick apple pie filling!
Renee Nefe says
My MIL made this with Cherry Pie filling and Pumpkin pie filling (added nuts to the top)!
Alison says
Love that idea Renee!
Judith Pidwinski says
Can I use blueberry pie filling?
Jessica says
Absolutely!
Judith Pidwinski says
What other pie filling can i use?
Jessica says
I think it’d be fantastic with peach or berry!
Judith Pidwinski says
Yea!
Joy Bueno says
Do you use 1 can or 2 cans of 20oz pie filling?
Jessica says
You’ll use 2 20-oz cans.
Jeremy says
I got this dump cake idea from YouTubing and the recipe I used is almost exactly the same as this one except the lady I watched added caramel to the apple pie filling which I did as well. Also to add extra punch use cinnamon sugar and cinnamon powder to spice it up. Making this for the holidays and hope it’s a hit.
Sonya says
Make sure you get 2 cans of apple pie filing! I made the mistake of only looking at the top ingredient list and it says “ Apple pie filling: You’ll need a 20-oz can. I prefer to get the kind that indicates “extra apples!” so I bought 1 can and didn’t realize I needed 2 until I already started making it. Still hoping it turns out good.
Joani says
Can I ask how your apple cake got with just using 1 can of apples. I made the same mistake but didn’t make it yet. Thank you
Nicole says
1 can of apples will make the cake similar to a thickened cobbler as far as texture and appearance goes.
Myria says
Good recipe. I had to use 1-1/2 sticks of butter. But it turned out great.
Alison says
I’m glad to hear it turned out great for you Myria!
Mary L Johnson says
Why so much butter?
Confused?? Then what do you do with all that butter.
Recipe shows for a smaller amt.
Please help and TU, Mary
Nicole says
Hi Mary! I’m not sure where the confusion is but the recipe states you will need 2 sticks of butter (one cup) and there are images reflecting this within the post as well. You will need each stick sliced into tablespoon sized portions (8 tablespoons per stick, so 16 pieces in total, as shown in another picture within the post). Each piece is placed on top of the cake mix so that as the dump cake bakes the apple pie filling from below will moisten and cook the lower portion of cake mix while the butter on top will melt and moisten the mix from the top. While it may seem like a large amount of butter, 2 sticks of butter is pretty standard in a lot of cake recipes and we don’t expect you to eat the whole cake to yourself, cakes are usually meant to be shared with family and friends 🙂
Cheryl A. Ferri says
can I use apple sauce with apple pie filling?
Jessica says
Use them both? Applesauce AND apple pie filling?
Connie says
I only had a spice cake mix so I decided to use it. I sprinkled with cinnamon and a good amount of walnuts. Hubby loves nuts. It turned out amazing. My hubby loves it and I took some to my mom and she told me not to lose the recipe 😋🤣
Tammy50 says
I like to melt the butter and pour over top of the cake mix. The cake mix absorbs it better and it’s “buttery” all over not just where you place the butter slices.
This is only my opinion! Lol
Alison says
Love this Tammy!
SHANNON BELLAVIA says
I think I will add walnuts. Fabulous recipe!!
Sarah says
Wayyyyyyyy too sweet. I followed the instructions and also used a yellow cake mix. Not horrible but I won’t be making this again.
Jessica says
Sorry you didn’t care for it Sarah!
Frieda says
I am making this recipe now so I really don’t know how it is going to turn out because I had to make some substitutions! I had 5 apples that I needed to use and a half jar of applesauce to cover the apples! I added 1/4 cup of sugar as well as the cinnamon and a little nutmeg! I only had one can of apple pie filling! Came out great! Delish! Think next time I will add nuts on 1/2 of cake!
Nellie says
Nuts sound like a great idea! So glad you enjoyed the cake!
Ginger says
I’m making it now!! I had a can of apple filling and a can of peach filling so I put one on each side of the pan… so we’ll have two cakes in one!! I’m excited to have it for dessert tonight 😋
Nicole says
Sounds like the best of both worlds 🙂
Dee Dee F says
I made this today I added some Nutmeg alone with the Cinnamon and sprinkled a little brown sugar over it. And it’s a hit thanks for sharing your recipe yummy 😊
Nicole says
that sounds delicious 🙂
Cindy says
I made this from apples I put up two years ago. I added a little sugar to it, then the cinnamon.
I then put a little twist to it….ice cream, take a back seat. I put a plop of caramel on top and drizzled with heavy cream.
Awesome!!
Nicole says
Ohh yes! Ice cream and caramels are a perfect addition
Lisa Frain says
I made it yesterday for coffee hour at my church today I drizzled Carmel topping over the top. When I got to church I placed the pan in the warmer drawer of our kitchen oven. During the service it came out nice and warm and crispy. Just a bit too sweet I may try it using fresh apples Granny Smith or a mixture where I can control the sugar.
Nicole says
Sounds like a great idea!