Apple Dump Cake made easy with 4 simple ingredients: cake mix, 2 cans of apple pie filling, 2 sticks of butter and cinnamon! This apple dessert has all the apple pie flavors without all the fuss!
Shared over 17,000 times on social media, Nana’s Apple Dump Cake recipe has buttery crisp cake baked on top of tangy apples in a cinnamon spiced sauce! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I adore apple pie, but sometimes, I just want a quick & easy dessert that tastes like apple pie, but doesn’t require the hours needed to make a homemade apple pie, you know? Enter in Nana’s Apple Dump Cake recipe!
Tips for the Best Flavor in your Apple Dump Cake
- Don’t Skimp on the Spice! If you use a white or yellow cake mix, you’ll definitely want to add in the 1 tsp cinnamon. It adds so much flavor! If you use a Spice Cake mix, I’d still add an additional ½ tsp of cinnamon to the cake.
- BUTTER. Yes, this recipe calls for 2 sticks. Don’t reduce it! Use them both. The butter not only contributes to the texture, but also the flavor. Don’t replace it with margarine or shortening. I tend to use salted butter because I think it tastes better.
- Assemble the dump cake neatly. This is a simple dessert, but I show you how to cut the butter and place it on top of the cake mix neatly because it matters. You want the butter to melt and bake into the cake mix evenly, so it needs to be placed on top of the neatly spreaded cake mix in an orderly manner. It doesn’t take a lot of time at all and the end result is worth it!
Key Ingredients for our Apple Dump Cake Recipe
Apple pie filling: You need two 20-oz cans of apple pie filling. Whether it be homemade apple pie filling, or brand name or off brand, make sure you like it, and that it tastes good!
Cinnamon: Sprinkle on 1 tsp of cinnamon to boost the flavor of the cake. I use the Ground Saigon cinnamon from Costco because it has a strong, robust cinnamon flavor.
Cake mix: Use one box of cake mix for the base of this recipe. I know cake mixes used to be around 15 oz and now they’re 13 oz, don’t worry, that’s not a problem in this cake. Use a cake mix you have on hand- yellow, white, even a spice cake mix would be great!
Butter: Add 1 cup of butter to the top of this cake before baking. You will use the full 2 sticks of butter! I use salted butter but you’re welcome to use what you have on hand. I strongly recommend NOT using margarine or shortening in place of the butter!
Important Steps for Making an Apple Dump Cake with Pie Filling
Dump Cakes are super simple recipes, but here’s a few tips for getting the best cake possible from these 4 simple ingredients:
- Pour the apple pie filling in and then use a rubber scraper to spread it out and make it even in the pan.
2. Don’t forget the cinnamon! I sprinkle it over the apples.
3. Again, try and be nice and neat. Pour the cake mix on top of the apple cinnamon layer. Then spread the cake mix around the pan evenly and pat it down gently as you go. This gives the butter a level surface to melt on!
4. Slice the 2 sticks of butter into even slices. You can slice them as thin as ½ tablespoon, but I wouldn’t go thinner than that. And as you can see, my cake wasn’t perfectly even, but it’s close and it turned out perfectly.
5. Bake for the full time. The dump cake takes 45-55 minutes to bake up. 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!!
How long is this good for & how do you store it?
Dump cake is best when served the same day it’s baked. Nothing compared to a warm scoop topped with vanilla ice cream! If you have leftovers, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Do know the leftovers tend to soften over time. For longer storage, it can be frozen for up to three months.
Buttery Apple Dump Cake Recipe
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 the oven to 350ºF, then grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Spread both cans of apple pie filling evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle cinnamon over pie filling.
- Sprinkle cake mix evenly over pie filling. Gently spread evenly and flatten slightly. Top cake mix with 1 tbsp slices of butter arranged neatly over the top of the cake mix.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, until top is golden brown and apples are hot and bubbling. Enjoy warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
📫 Save this recipe! Send it to your email! 📩
I consent to receiving emails from this site.
How can you add a unique twist to a classic apple dump cake?
Adding ingredients like caramel sauce, nuts, or dried fruits can enhance the flavor and texture. Experimenting with different spices, such as nutmeg or allspice, can also introduce new flavors to the dish.
Can I use homemade apple pie filling in dump cake?
Using fresh apples is possible but requires additional preparation. The apples should be peeled, cored, and sliced. They also need to be combined with sugar and spices to mimic the flavor of canned apple pie filling. My friend has a great recipe for Homemade Apple Pie Filling.
Enjoy Apple Dessert recipes? So do we!
- If you love apples as much as we do, you can’t go wrong making these mini apple pies.
- When you find yourself with an over abundance of apples, whip up some fried cinnamon apples to serve along side dinner, or a simple dessert.
- Need a delicious, sweet appetizer to serve? This recipe for toffee dip with apples is sure to be a hit with anyone who tries it!
- Our glazed apple cinnamon bread makes a lovely breakfast, dessert, or snack option!
- Make this simple crock pot applesauce for a warm, comforting treat for your family.
- Okay, not a dessert, but rather a great lunch! This recipe is packed with protein and apples, give this chicken salad & apples recipe a try.
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!