This 3-ingredient apple spice dump cake is the ultimate easy fall dessert. The combination of canned apple pie filling and spice cake mix creates warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar flavors that taste like autumn in every bite. With just a few pantry ingredients and almost no prep time, this is one of those spice cake mix recipes you’ll make again and again.
I discovered this delicious Apple Spice Dump Cake when I had no yellow cake mix at home and used spice cake mix instead. Yumm!
If you love quick desserts with cake mix, you should try my Pumpkin Dump Cake or Cherry Cobbler with Cake Mix. Each is a sim. ple, fuss-free dessert perfect for weeknights or holidays.
Table of contents
Why I Love This Recipe
This apple spice dump cake is the easiest way to enjoy the comforting flavors of apple pie and spice cake together in one dessert. The warm cinnamon and nutmeg in the spice cake mix turn a simple apple dump cake into the perfect easy fall dessert for weeknights or holidays.
It only takes three ingredients — apple pie filling, spice cake mix, and butter — so there’s no mixing, measuring, or complicated steps. Just layer and bake for a sweet, spiced dessert that smells amazing as it cooks.
The flavor of spice cake mix adds so much depth to the apples. It’s filled with cozy fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, making this an easy way to upgrade the classic apple dump cake recipe.
This recipe is perfect for when you want a dessert that looks homemade but comes together fast. It’s great for potlucks, holiday dinners, or even as a Thanksgiving dessert alternative to pie.
Like my other 3 ingredient desserts, this one is budget-friendly and made with pantry staples you probably already have. It’s a no-fail recipe that anyone can bake successfully.
And best of all, the texture is just right — the buttery, golden topping forms a crisp crust over bubbling apple pie filling, creating that irresistible apple cobbler-style dessert everyone loves.
Ingredients
You only need three ingredients to make this apple spice dump cake.
Spice cake mix – Any 15.25 oz box works. Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker both have great versions with cinnamon and nutmeg already mixed in.
Butter – 1 ½ sticks (¾ cup), sliced thinly. Salted or unsalted works fine. The salted version adds a nice sweet-salty contrast.
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Apple pie filling – Two 21-oz cans of your favorite brand. Homemade apple pie filling works beautifully too.
Variations
Want to give your apple spice dump cake a personal twist? Try one of these easy add-ins:
- Extra spices – Stir ½ teaspoon of apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, or ground cinnamon into the dry cake mix before baking for a stronger spice flavor.
- Nuts – Add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the cake mix before adding butter. They’ll toast as the cake bakes, adding crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the spiced apples.
- Caramel drizzle – Drizzle a little caramel sauce over the top before serving for a caramel-apple dessert twist.
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Use a 9x13 baking dish and spray it with nonstick baking spray.
Step 1
Spread the two cans of apple pie filling evenly in the bottom of your baking dish.
Step 2
Sprinkle the dry spice cake mix evenly over the apples. Do not stir—just spread it evenly with the back of a spoon.
Step 3
Top with thinly sliced butter pieces, arranging them evenly over the cake mix. Covering as much of the surface as possible helps the topping bake up golden and crisp.
Step 4
Bake for about 35–40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling around the edges.
Let cool slightly before serving. The spiced aroma fills the kitchen—it’s irresistible!
Helpful Hint
If you spot any dry areas after baking, add a few small butter slices or spritz those spots with nonstick spray. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes to help the topping fully bake.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds, or warm the whole pan in the oven at 325°F for 10–15 minutes.
This dessert also freezes well - just thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm before serving.
Serving Ideas
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Try a scoop of cinnamon or butter pecan ice cream for even more fall flavor.
FAQ’s
Yes! Spice cake gives that classic fall flavor, but yellow or white cake mix works too if that’s what you have. Here is my apple dump cake recipe made with yellow cake mix.
Yes. Cook on high for 2 to 2½ hours, or until the topping is set and golden around the edges.
No stirring! Just layer the ingredients and bake. That’s what makes it so easy.
Other Easy Dump Cake Desserts
Check out this 12 Easy Dump Cakes post on my site!
3 Ingredient Apple Spice Dump Cake (Easy Fall Dessert)
Ingredients
- 1 Package Spice Cake Mix Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines have great spice cakes that are well-flavored with warm spices.
- ¾ cups Butter That's 1 ½ sticks. Salted or unsalted butter both work fine.
- 2 cans Apple Pie Filling 2 - 21 oz cans of apple pie filling.
Homemade pie filling works beautifully in this recipe!
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.Use a 9x13 baking dish and spray it with nonstick baking spray.
- Spread the two cans of apple pie filling evenly in the bottom of your baking dish.
- Sprinkle the dry spice cake mix evenly over the apples. Do not stir—just spread it evenly with the back of a spoon.
- Top with thinly sliced butter pieces, arranging them evenly over the cake mix. Covering as much of the surface as possible helps the topping bake up golden and crisp.
- Bake for about 35–40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling around the edges.Let cool slightly before serving. The spiced aroma fills the kitchen—it’s irresistible!
Notes
Nutrition (estimate)
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