Apple Dump Cake

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This apple dump cake is the ultimate easy dessert — warm, cinnamon-spiced apples baked under a buttery, golden topping that’s crisp around the edges and soft in the center.

Despite the name, this isn’t a traditional fluffy cake. It’s much closer to an apple cobbler or crisp, with a soft, tender fruit base and a rich, buttery topping made from cake mix and butter.

If you’ve fallen in love with dump cakes like I have, be sure to try my Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake and Pumpkin Dump Cake next. And if you’d like even more dessert inspiration, take a look at my full Cake Recipes collection for all kinds of family-favorite cakes.

Let’s make this dump cake!!

What Is Apple Dump Cake?

Apple dump cake is a simple layered dessert made by adding apples to a baking dish, topping them with dry cake mix and butter, and baking until golden.

As it bakes, the apples become soft and syrupy, while the topping turns into a buttery, slightly crisp crust. There’s no mixing or batter involved—the layers stay separate, creating that signature cobbler-style texture.

It’s not a traditional cake. It’s more like a cross between an apple cobbler and a crisp, with a rich fruit base and a golden topping.

What Does Apple Dump Cake Taste Like?

This dessert is warm, cozy, and full of classic apple pie flavor.

The bottom layer is soft, tender apples with a cinnamon-spiced, syrupy texture. The top bakes into a buttery, golden crust that’s slightly crisp on the edges and soft in the center.

It’s not light or fluffy like cake—instead, it’s more like a cobbler or crisp, with a rich, comforting texture and sweet apple flavor in every bite.

✨ Before You Begin

✨ Don’t mix the layers: Dump cakes rely on layering. Stirring will ruin the texture and prevent the topping from forming properly.

✨ Butter coverage is everything: Make sure the butter is evenly distributed over the cake mix. Dry spots happen when the butter doesn’t fully cover the surface.

✨ Use the right apples: If using fresh apples, choose firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp so they hold their shape while baking.

✨ Expect a cobbler-style texture: This is not a fluffy cake. It’s meant to be soft, scoopable, and rich like a cobbler.

✨ Let it cool before serving: This allows the filling to thicken slightly and the topping to set.

Apple Dump Cake Ingredients + Key Notes

This is just a quick glance at what you’ll need. For exact measurements and the full ingredient list, head down to the recipe card below.

Apples or apple pie filling: Apple pie filling is the easiest option and gives consistent results. Fresh apples can be used, but should be sliced evenly and may need extra sugar and spice.

Cinnamon + sugar: These enhance the natural apple flavor and give the filling that classic warm, spiced taste.

Yellow cake mix: This creates the buttery topping. It bakes into a soft, golden crust rather than a traditional cake layer.

Butter: The butter melts into the cake mix and forms the topping. Even distribution is key to avoiding dry patches.

Optional add-ins: Chopped pecans or oats can be added for extra texture, creating a more crisp-like topping.

🥣 How to Make Apple Dump Cake

Prepare the apples: Spread the apple pie filling (or prepared fresh apples) evenly into a greased baking dish.

Add the cake mix: Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the apples. Do not stir.

Add the butter: Drizzle melted butter evenly over the top, or place thin slices across the surface to cover as much of the dry mix as possible.

Bake until golden: Bake until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.

Cool slightly before serving: Let the cake rest for 20–30 minutes so the filling thickens and the topping sets.

Apple Dump Cake Variations

Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, you can easily adjust it to match your favorite textures and flavors.

Fresh Apple Dump Cake: Use peeled, sliced apples instead of pie filling for a more homemade flavor.

Apple Pie Dump Cake: Use canned pie filling for the easiest, most consistent version.

Apple Crisp Dump Cake: Add oats and brown sugar to the topping for a more crumbly, crisp-style finish.

Apple Cobbler Dump Cake: Skip nuts and oats for a softer, more cobbler-like texture.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake: For an extra cozy twist, drizzle 1/4 to 1/2 cup caramel sauce over the apples before adding the cake mix.

Apple Spice Dump Cake: Use a spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix, or add a little extra cinnamon or apple pie spice to the filling.

Crockpot Apple Dump Cake: If your oven is full, layer everything in the slow cooker the same way and cook on low for about 4 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours. Keep in mind the topping will be softer than the oven-baked version.

Storing + Freezing + Make-Ahead

Do you refrigerate Apple dump cake?

According to food handling directions, this will store for about 2-3 days in the fridge. It’s best within two days.

Can You Freeze This?

Freezing apple dump cake isn’t hard. Just follow a few simple instructions, and it’ll turn out beautifully.

• Let the dump cake cool completely after baking. Any warmth creates condensation which will cause freezer burn.
• If possible, transfer the dump cake into a disposable aluminum container with a lid. Generally, a dump cake will hold up in the freezer for up to two months if it’s completely sealed and airtight. After this, the flavor and moisture will start to leach out.

Make-Ahead Tips:

Much like a cobbler, dump cake is going to be best fresh from the oven. But, since we all live in reality and have ten million things calling for our attention, it’s sometimes best to bake ahead.

With dump cakes, you can bake and then freeze them for a later date, or you can bake them and let them chill in the fridge overnight. If you prefer it hot, turn the oven to the warming setting, and serve it up warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

◆ Why is my apple dump cake dry on top?
This usually means the butter didn’t fully cover the cake mix. Make sure it’s evenly distributed so the topping bakes up golden instead of dry.

◆ Can I use fresh apples instead of pie filling?
Yes. Peel and slice the apples evenly, then add sugar and spices so the flavor matches the sweetness of pie filling.

◆ Do I have to cook the apples first?
No. As long as they’re sliced thinly enough, they will soften as the cake bakes.

◆ Is apple dump cake supposed to be gooey?
Yes. The filling should be soft and slightly syrupy, similar to apple cobbler, while the topping is buttery and lightly crisp.

◆ What’s the difference between a cobbler and a dump cake?
They’re very similar, but the topping is what sets them apart. A dump cake uses dry cake mix and butter to create a simple, buttery topping as it bakes. A cobbler typically has a biscuit or cake-like topping made from scratch.

◆ Can I make apple dump cake gluten-free?
Yes. Use a gluten-free cake mix and follow the recipe the same way.

◆ Can I make apple dump cake ahead of time?
Yes. Bake it, let it cool, and reheat gently before serving for the best texture.

More Dump Cake Recipes You’ll Love

Craving more easy desserts? Browse my Dump Cake Recipes collection for plenty of simple, crowd-pleasing options.

Lemon Dump Cake is bright, tangy, and perfect when you want something a little lighter.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake has a soft, cinnamon-spiced apple base with rich caramel flavor and a buttery, golden topping that’s warm, gooey, and completely irresistible.

Blueberry Dump Cake is sweet, juicy, and bursting with bright berry flavor under a buttery, golden topping. It’s simple, summery, and always a crowd-pleasing dessert.

Strawberry Dump Caken is sweet, juicy, and bursting with bright berry flavor under a buttery topping.

Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake is rich, fudgy, and loaded with deep chocolate flavor paired with sweet cherries.

These simple desserts are always a hit, whether you’re baking for a crowd or just need something quick and comforting.

Tried This Recipe?

I’d love to hear how your Apple Dump Cake turned out! Please leave a star rating and a comment below—it helps other readers and means so much to me.

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Thanks for stopping by my kitchen today — happy cooking, friends! ❤️ Kathleen

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Apple Dump Cake Recipe

Apple dump cake is a delicious, simple anytime dessert? Tender fruit and a rich, buttery cake covered with crunchy crumbs – queue the applause! 

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 10 Servings

Author: Kathleen

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 (20-ounce) cans apple pie filling
• ▢ 1 box yellow cake mix
• ▢ 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 Sticks) butter cut into 24 thin slices

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Spray a 9 X 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Pour both cans of apple pie filling (2 (20-ounce) cans) into the prepared baking dish.
• Evenly spread cake mix (1 box) over the top of the filling and press down firmly. Arrange butter slices (24 slices) evenly over the cake mix.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the top is deep golden brown and bubbly. Let set a few minutes and serve.

Fans Also Made:

• 
  Apple Bundt Cake
• 
  Caramel Apple Dump Cake
• 
  Caramel Apple Sheet Cake
• 
  Mini Apple Pies (2-Ingredient Dessert!)

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Notes

1. Butter: Slicing the butter is the key to ensuring the perfect topping texture, and you really don’t want to cut any corners (literally) in evenly arranging the slices across the cake mix. Starting with a really cold stick of butter will help with the slicing.
   • Some recipes suggest melting the butter first, but, while that takes a teeny bit of the prep time off my recipe, the results just aren’t as good. Pouring or drizzling isn’t the most precise technique in the first place, but I also find the butter separates a bit during the melting process, and you may find soggy little pockets that impact the texture of this cakey cobbler in a negative way.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/10 of the recipe | Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 483mg | Potassium: 4mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 420IU | Calcium: 4mg

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