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For a comforting but easy dessert perfect for the holidays or a casual weekend, try my Apple Dump Cake with Pie Filling! Made using apple pie filling and box cake mix, this simple Fall dessert takes under an hour with just five ingredients total.
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Apple Pie Dump Cake
When I first started baking, long before making my own cheesecakes and shortcake biscuits, I exclusively made dump cake recipes like this apple pie dump cake.
Dump cake recipes are beyond easy. The name says it all: take the ingredients, dump them into a baking dish, and bake. Done! To this day, I love making dump cake recipes, and my apple dump cake recipe is by far one of my favorites.
It's the perfect fusion of sweet, tender apple pie filling, warm cinnamon spice, and a buttery cake-like topping. Following just a few simple steps and minimal ingredients, you can enjoy all the flavors you love in apple pie without needing to spend more than 10 minutes on prep. What could be better?
Apple Dump Cake Recipe Ingredients
- Apple Pie Filling: This is an apple dump cake using pie filling. For fresh apple instructions, see below!
- Ground Cinnamon: Perfect for adding additional Fall flavor to apple dump cake!
- Box Cake Mix: I'm using box yellow cake mix, but you can also use white cake mix.
- Butter: Unsalted butter works best. I recommend avoiding salted butter.
- Nuts: Walnuts or pecans are the best for apple pie dump cake. If you need or want to leave out the nuts, you can.
My easy apple pie dump cake yields up to eight servings, so it's a great way to enjoy a holiday treat with minimal effort and time.
Apple Dump Cake with Fresh Apples
You can make my apple dump cake with fresh apples by making a large batch of my baked apples, sauteed apples, or stewed apples first. Use them for the filling. This will alter the flavor and texture of the dump cake, but will taste delicious. Alternatively, you can slice fresh apples to use as-is, and add 10 minutes to the baking time.
If you want to use fresh apples, make sure to pick good baking apples. Good baking apples include Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, or Pink Lady apples. These apples hold up well to baking. I typically add 10 minutes to the baking time for fresh apples.
Recipe for Apple Dump Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Butter a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with your butter stick before melting it.
- Add apple pie filling to the baking dish or baking pan.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon and walnuts over the apple pie filling.
- In a bowl add the cake mix and melted butter.
- Mix with a fork until fully combined. Don't over-mix it.
- With clean hands sprinkle the cake mix crumbles on top.
- Cook for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes.
Apple Pie Dump Cake Expert Tips
- You can make this a caramel apple cake by adding caramel sauce on top or mixing it with the apple filling. Butterscotch sauce is also amazing when you drizzle it over the top of this cake.
- A dollop of Whipped Cream on top takes this dessert to a new level!
- Vanilla ice cream is also a great topper!
How to Store and Reheat Dump Cake with Apples
Storing
- Allow the apple dump cake to cool completely to room temperature.
- Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer it to an airtight container.
- Store the cake in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the apple dump cake in an oven-safe dish if it's not already in one.
- If the cake is refrigerated, you can reheat it directly from the refrigerator. If it is frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.
- Heat in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until it's heated through. Check the center with a toothpick or fork to ensure it's warm.
Apple Pie Dump Cake FAQ
Apple dump cake is a quick and easy dessert using a single baking dish and box cake mix. It's called a dump cake because of how the ingredients are "dumped" into a dish and baked. Crisp on top and bubbly underneath with a soft apple filling, apple dump cake is an irresistible Fall dessert.
You can freeze apple dump cake by storing it in a freezer-safe container wrapped in foil for up to 3 months. Make sure to label it with the date. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it as instructed above.
Dump Cake Recipes
Apple Recipes
My apple dump cake recipe is a one-of-a-kind treat you are going to love. It's simple, easy, and boasts minimal cleanup. If you're craving dessert and want something that's quick but filling and flavorful, make my apple pie dump cake!
Apple Dump Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Baking dish 9x13"
Ingredients
- 1½ sticks unsalted butter
- 2 cans apple pie filling - 21 ounces
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup walnuts - lightly chopped
- 1 box yellow cake mix - 15.25 ounces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Butter a 9x13" baking dish with your butter stick before melting it.1½ sticks unsalted butter
- Add 2 cans of apple pie fillings to the baking dish.2 cans apple pie filling
- Sprinkle the cinnamon and walnuts over the apple pie filling.1 teaspoon ground cinnamon,1 cup walnuts
- In a bowl add the cake mix and butter.1 box yellow cake mix,1½ sticks unsalted butter
- Mix with a fork until fully combined. Don't over-mix it.
- With clean hands sprinkle the cake mix crumbles on top.
- Cook for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can make this a caramel apple dump cake by adding caramel sauce on top or mixed in with the apple filling - it is so delicious!
Sarah Walker Caron says
We have apples languishing on our kitchen counter that would be perfect for this! Sounds wonderful.
Jem says
Easy to make! The walnuts are great in this recipe. I will use cinnamon sugar instead of just cinnamon next time. I'll sprinkle it over the top too.
Isabel Laessig says
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Jem! Thank you for leaving us a review!