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This easy Apple Dump Cake takes no more than 15 minutes to prep and is 6 ingredients! Made with fresh apples–your favorite kind. Prep the recipe in the same dish you bake it in for less mess to clean up!!
Cozy fall desserts are a staple when the cooler weather hits. And apple EVERYTHING is at the top of the list for must haves for me!
This Apple Dump Cake is the easiest dessert you to make–aside from just scooping out ice cream from a container, or eating it from the pint.
Why this dump cake recipe is the best:
- The only dish you will dirty is the pan you bake it in!
- You will only need 6 ingredients. Yes, SIX!
- It’s like apple pie, but so much easier!
- Prep time is only 15 minutes.
If you are a fan of dump cakes, my other favorite is this Blueberry Lemon Dump Cake. Berry season is not complete without it!
Ingredients and Substitutions:
- I use Fuji apples. These and Gala apples are my favorite. Some people prefer more tart apples and that is fine as well. Whatever you do, choose your favorite. That is a must. Check this out for other options.
- Spice cake mix or a yellow cake mix–that is THE question. I prefer the yellow cake but everyone else liked the spice cake mix better. Who am I to argue? If you opt for a yellow cake, you can add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the mix for a touch more spice if desired.
How to make the best apple dump cake:
Let me tell you, easy as pie, but easier!
Peel and slice the apples up. Layer them into a 9×13 baking dish that has been sprayed with oil. Add in the cinnamon and sugars and toss to evenly coat all of the apples. (steps 1-3)
From there, spread the cake mix evenly over the apple cinnamon mixture. Slice the butter into very thin slices and spread them out evenly all over the cake mix. (steps 4-5)
You can even put them closer together than I did in this photo (step 5) because you don’t want any spot not hit with the butter when it bakes. I go in half way through and add little pieces of butter to any dry spots when baking.
Bake until golden crisp and apples are bubbling (step 6). Allow to cool slightly and serve or chill until ready and warm up before serving.
Expert Tips:
- For best results, have extra butter on hand for back up. About half way through baking, make sure there aren’t any dry spots where the butter was not absorbed. Add small pieces of butter over these parts. That way you will have a moist top layer throughout!Spice cake mix tends to need a bit more butter than the yellow cake mix. You most likely won’t need more with the yellow cake mix.
- For a SUPER quick version, you could use two cans of apple pie filling and cover the filling with the cake mix. I much prefer the fresh apples but I get it, sometimes time isn’t on our side.
Try these other dessert recipes:
- Pumpkin Pie Crumble
- Pumpkin Spice Molasses Cookies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- No Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake
- Strawberry Crumble
- S’mores Skillet Brownie
- Nutella Crumble Bars
- Champagne Lemon Bundt Cake
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Easy Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch pan well with butter.
- Peel and slice apples into small, 1/4 inch thick pieces. Layer them evenly in the greased baking pan. Add the sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon to the apples and toss to coat evenly. Pour the dry cake mix over top of the apples and spread evenly.
- Thinly slice the butter and evenly spread over top of the cake mix. If the butter pieces touch, that is okay!
- Bake the dump cake for about 45-55 minutes, checking to make sure there are no dry spots about half way through. If you see any areas where the butter has not melted into, add a slice of butter to cover the area and continue baking. The apples will be bubbling and the top layer will be golden brown when the apple dump cake is ready.
- Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving. Store in the refrigerator sealed for up to one week.
Notes
- For best results, have extra butter on hand for back up. About half way through baking, make sure there aren’t any dry spots where the butter was not absorbed. Add small pieces of butter over these parts. That way you will have a moist top layer throughout!Spice cake mix tends to need a bit more butter than the yellow cake mix. You most likely won’t need more with the yellow cake mix.
- For a SUPER quick version, you could use two cans of apple pie filling and cover the filling with the cake mix. I much prefer the fresh apples but I get it, sometimes time isn’t on our side.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made this tonight with red delicious apples, they baked well. I used spice cake didn’t notice it was a smaller 13.oz box. Definitely need a bigger box. Otherwise easy, the house smells great and desert with ice cream was fantastic!
Will be baking again!
Thanks so much for sharing! And yes, the boxed cake mixes can come in a variety of sizes–glad it worked out ok still!
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Hi! Margarine should work fine in place of the butter in this recipe!
This is absolutely delicious! I gave some to my friend and she offered to pay me for a full one for her family’s Thanksgiving dessert! Everyone I’ve given some to loves it! Thank you so much for this recipe!
So did you make it for them??? Make that money!! 🤣 I love it!
Can I do this in a Bundt pan and if so, will cooking time and temp be the same?
Hi Debbie! I haven’t baked this in a bundt pan before but I imagine you still could. Just know it will be a scoopable dessert so not one that will hold the bundt pan shape. I imagine baking time will be similar, you know it is finished when the top is golden brown and the butter has baked in and apples are bubbling. Keep me posted on how it goes!
So easy and so delicious!
Just as I hoped it would be! Thanks so so much!