Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe
This Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe — Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe — is basically the lazy person’s apple pie. And I say that with LOVE. It’s warm, gooey, apple-y heaven with a buttery, crunchy topping. It’s what happens when you want something comforting but can’t be bothered with all the fuss. Trust me, it’s foolproof. And SO GOOD.
My husband, bless his heart, is obsessed. He’s not a huge dessert guy, but this? This is his kryptonite. I swear, one time I made it and turned around to find him standing at the counter with a spoon, digging straight into the pan. He didn’t even wait for it to cool! Now I have to hide it if I want any myself. The kids love it too (of course) and ask for it every weekend. This is officially the dish that makes everyone happy.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe
- It’s stupid easy. Like, almost embarrassing how easy.
- You probably have most of the ingredients already. Win!
- It smells amazing while it bakes, and your house will feel instantly cozy.
- It’s warm and comforting and makes you feel all fuzzy inside.
- You can totally eat it for breakfast with a dollop of yogurt. Don’t judge.
How to Make It
Okay, so here’s the lowdown. First, you gotta dump your apple pie filling into a baking dish. Don’t be shy, use the whole can (or two!). Then, in a separate bowl—and I’m serious about this part—you gotta melt the butter. I always forget and try to use cold butter, and it’s a DISASTER. Melted butter, trust me.
Next, you mix the melted butter with a yellow cake mix. You literally just stir it together with a fork. It’ll be kinda crumbly, that’s normal. Then, you just sprinkle that buttery, cakey goodness ALL OVER the apple filling. Make sure you get every inch covered!
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Pop that bad boy into the oven and bake it until it’s golden brown and bubbly. Honestly, the smell alone is worth making this cake. Let it cool for a bit (if you can resist!) and then DIG IN! I like mine with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or whipped cream. Or both! No rules here, folks.
Ingredient Notes
- Apple Pie Filling: The star of the show! Any brand works, even the cheap stuff. Sometimes I even use homemade if I’m feeling fancy. But honestly, canned is just easier.
- Yellow Cake Mix: This is what gives it that dump cake texture. Don’t overthink it, just grab a box. I’ve tried different flavors before, like spice cake or even chocolate (don’t ask) but yellow is classic for a reason.
- Butter: Gotta be melted, gotta be real butter. Margarine is just…wrong. I’ve tried it. Don’t.
- Cinnamon (Optional): If you’re feeling extra, sprinkle some cinnamon on top before baking. It adds a nice little kick. I usually forget, tbh, but it’s good when I remember!
Recipe Steps:
- Pour apple pie filling into a baking dish.
- Melt butter in a bowl.
- Combine melted butter and cake mix until crumbly.
- Sprinkle the cake mix mixture over the apple filling evenly.
- Bake in the oven until golden brown and bubbly.
- Cool slightly before serving.
What to Serve It With
Vanilla ice cream is a MUST. Or whipped cream, if that’s your thing. You could also get fancy and add a drizzle of caramel sauce. I sometimes throw on some chopped pecans if I have them. But honestly, it’s pretty perfect on its own.
Tips & Mistakes
- Don’t skip melting the butter! Seriously, it’s crucial.
- Make sure the cake mix layer is evenly distributed. Nobody wants a mouthful of dry cake mix.
- Keep an eye on it while it bakes. Ovens are weird, and you don’t want it to burn.
- If the top is browning too quickly, tent it with foil.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment! Throw in some chopped nuts, raisins, or even a little bit of bourbon (for adults only, of course!).
Storage Tips
If you have leftovers (which is unlikely), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s good for a few days. And yes, you can totally eat it cold. I won’t judge you if you eat it straight from the fridge for breakfast. In fact, I encourage it. It’s strangely satisfying!
Variations and Substitutions
- Different fruit: Use cherry pie filling, blueberry pie filling, or even a mix of berries. Whatever floats your boat! I once used peach filling when that was all I had and it was pretty darn good.
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free cake mix. They’re pretty good these days! Just make sure it’s a yellow cake mix.
- Less sugar: You can use unsweetened apple sauce mixed with apple pie filling to cut some sugar. I have done this before and it’s hard to notice!
- No butter: Okay, so I haven’t tried this myself, but I’ve heard you can use melted coconut oil instead of butter. Let me know if you try it and it works!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans apple pie filling 21 oz each
- 1 box yellow cake mix 15.25 oz
- 0.5 cup butter melted
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 cup chopped pecans optional
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Spread the apple pie filling evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle ground cinnamon over the apple pie filling.0.5 cup butter
- Evenly pour the dry yellow cake mix over the apples.2 cans apple pie filling
- Drizzle melted butter over the cake mix.1 box yellow cake mix
- Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top, if using.1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly.
Notes
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
