• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Meatloaf and Melodrama logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
      • Collaborate
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Recipes » Recipes

    Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Sep 1, 2021 · Modified: Sep 1, 2021 by Dee

    This Apple Pie Dump Cake recipe made with just 3 ingredients is an easy dessert recipe that is warm, cozy and the perfect dessert for fall. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce, and your entire family will thank you!  via @meamel

    This Apple Pie Dump Cake recipe made with just 3 ingredients is an easy dessert recipe that is warm, cozy and the perfect dessert for fall. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce, and your entire family will thank you!

    Jump to Recipe -
    apple pie filling dump cake with vanilla ice cream on top on a white plate

    So what's a dump cake? A dump cake uses canned fruit for the filling and cake mix for the topping. Sounds odd, but this combination works!

    Apple pie filling dump cake is delicious fall dessert that's basically a mix of baked cinnamon apples under a crumb topping. This easy apple dessert is a cross between an apple crisp and apple cobbler and much easier to make than homemade apple pie.

    My family loves my homemade apple crisp and baked chocolate caramel apples. Homemade desserts are best, but this easy recipe is perfect when you have the urge to bake but don't have fresh apples or the time to make a completely homemade dessert. We all have days like that!

    Jump to:
    • Simple Ingredients
    • How to Make Apple Pie Filling Dump Cake
    • Cooking Time
    • Variations
    • How to Store
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    Simple Ingredients

    You only need 3 ingredients to make this easy apple dump cake recipe. You can find them in your local grocery stores, online or in your pantry:

    • Apple pie filling -- you'll need 2 cans
    • Spice cake mix -- Use yellow cake mix if you can't find spice cake, plus apple pie spice for added flavor
    • Butter -- unsalted butter or salted butter cut into thin slices
    cans of apple pie filling, butter and spice cake mix on white background

    It's totally optional, but I usually throw in some ground cinnamon for extra flavor. I add cinnamon to all my apple desserts because I just love the stuff!

    If you're not a fan of cinnamon, leave it out. It really depends upon the can of apple pie filling you have and how much spice it has.

    How to Make Apple Pie Filling Dump Cake

    The first step is to preheat the oven and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. You can use butter or non-stick cooking spray here.

    Next, spoon the cans of apple pie filling into the baking dish. Spread the apples out so that they cover the bottom of the casserole dish.

    If you're adding cinnamon, sprinkle some over the canned apple pie filling.

    spread apple pie filling into baking dish with red spatula

    Then, sprinkle the dry cake mix on top of the pie filling. Use a knife or spoon to spread the cake mix evenly over the pie filling.

    You want the cake mix to be as even as possible. I usually press the cake mix down lightly into the filling.

    This helps to ensure you don't have clumps of cake mix after baking.

    spread spice cake mix over apple pie filling with knife

    Finally, place the pats of butter in rows on top of the cake mix. As the butter melts, it turns the dry cake mix into a crispy crust. You can use melted butter if you prefer -- I think it's easier to slice the butter up.

    I used 1 ½ sticks of butter for this apple dump cake. You can use 2 sticks if you feel you need more butter to cover the top.

    It's perfectly fine if your pats of butter aren't exactly even. Mine usually aren't perfect!

    squares of butter over spice cake mix in baking dish

    Cooking Time

    This delicious dessert takes 45 to 50 minutes to bake. It's done when the apple filling is bubbling and the crust is golden brown.

    If you're using spice cake mix, the topping will be darker than if you're using yellow or white cake mix.

    The exact baking time depends on your oven. When, the apple cake is ready, remove it from the oven, and allow it to cool down a little before serving.

    overheat view of apple dump cake with vanilla ice cream and granny smith apple on the table

    Variations

    There are so many ways to change up this delicious apple dump cake recipe. Use butter pecan cake mix and chopped pecans instead of spiced cake.

    Make it a caramel apple dump cake recipe by drizzling caramel syrup over the apples before you add the cake mix. You can also spoon some brown sugar over the apples if you don't have caramel syrup.

    Dump cake recipes are very versatile! Vary the fruit filling and cake mix flavors to make pumpkin dump cake, cherry dump cake, peach dump cake or blueberry dump cake. You can also make dump cake in the in the slow cooker and Instant Pot!

    How to Store

    Store leftover apple dump cake in an airtight container. Does apple dump cake need to be refrigerated? You can leave it on your counter if you plan on finishing it within a day or 2.

    At my house, this delicious dessert is gone in a day! For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Eat it cold or reheat in a warm oven to keep the topping crisp.

    Recipe

    apple pie dump cake with scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce on a plate

    Apple Pie Dump Cake

    Published by Dee
    This Apple Pie Dump Cake recipe made with just 3 ingredients is an easy dessert recipe that is warm, cozy and the perfect dessert for fall. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce, and your entire family will thank you!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Text Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 388 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cans apple pie filling
    • 1 box spice cake mix
    • 1½ sticks butter cut into thin slices
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
    • Grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter or non-stick spray
    • Spoon apple pie filling into the baking dish, and spread evenly with spatula. Sprinkle cinnamon over pie filling, if using
    • Sprinkle dry cake mix over pie filling, and spread with a spatula or knife so that it covers the apple filling
    • Place pats of butter in neat rows over cake mix, and bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes or until top is golden brown and filling is hot and bubbly

    Notes

    If you can't find spice cake mix, use yellow cake mix with apple pie spice for extra flavor.
    Spice cake will be darker when baked -- it's not burnt.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 388kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 2gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 430mgPotassium: 195mgFiber: 2gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 378IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword apple pie dump cake, apple pie filling dump cake
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    I hope you enjoy this delicious apple dessert as much as we do! It's a great recipe to serve with any family meal or bring to a potluck!

    You can find more cake mix recipes by browsing the recipes on the blog.

    For more delicious desserts and other easy recipes, be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter!

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    « Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup
    Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe »

    You May Also Like

    slices of slow cooker pork roast with apples on the table
    Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Apples
    chocolate cake mix cookies with m and m candies
    Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
    eggnog donuts with eggnog glaze and holiday sprinkles on Christmas morning
    Baked Eggnog Donuts (Christmas Donuts)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karin Johnson says

      November 16, 2021 at 4:59 pm

      This was an incredibly easy dessert! I had all the ingredients on hand plus I added about 3/4 of a cup of pecans on top. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream:)5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 16, 2021 at 9:06 pm

        So glad you liked it, Karin! Thanks!

    2. Matt says

      September 05, 2021 at 2:14 pm

      Wow! How easy and delicious. Going to be making this a lot!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Lori says

      September 05, 2021 at 9:53 am

      Oh boy, this Apple Pie Dump Cake was terrific! I can't believe it was so easy and I had everything I needed in my pantry. It tasted amaazing!5 stars

      Reply
    4. Becca says

      September 04, 2021 at 9:54 am

      WOW! What an incredible dessert for fall! No one could believe I used a cake mix!5 stars

      Reply
    5. Megan says

      September 04, 2021 at 2:38 am

      I made this Apple Pie Dump Cake for the family this weekend, and it was a huge hit in my house!

      Reply
    6. Christie says

      September 03, 2021 at 3:08 pm

      Apple desserts are my favorite! This dump cake is so easy and everyone loved it!5 stars

      Reply
    7. Sandra says

      September 03, 2021 at 11:52 am

      I love how easy this is! Perfect dessert for my family!5 stars

      Reply
    8. patricia says

      September 02, 2021 at 8:29 pm

      What a great treat! I've never met a dessert with apples I didn't like 😉 This is so easy to make, too!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 06, 2021 at 9:39 pm

        Thank you so much, Patricia! I'm glad you liked it!

    Leave a Review Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad
    • Baked Breaded Pork Chops
    • Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage
    • Easy Microwave Baked Potato
    • No Bake Pineapple Dream Dessert
    • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • Foil Grilled Corn on the Cob
    • Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • All About Dee
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As Seen On

    as seen on buzzfeed delish country living forbes southern living

    Copyright © 2022 Meatloaf and Melodrama