Apple dump cake is one of those recipes I've made more times than I can count. Living in Wisconsin, apple season is always something I look forward to. This easy dessert has become one of my favorite ways to turn a few simple pantry ingredients into something warm, buttery, and delicious. It's the recipe I make when I need a dependable dessert without spending all afternoon in the kitchen.
What I love most about this apple dump cake recipe is how consistently it turns out. Over the years, I've learned a few simple tricks that make all the difference, like spreading the butter evenly and choosing the right apple filling for the best flavor and texture. Whether you're making it for a family dinner, a holiday gathering, or just because you're craving an easy apple dessert, this recipe never disappoints.
I love making simple fruit and cake mix desserts! If you are looking for more fruit desserts with only three ingredients, try this cherry and pineapple dump cake. Blueberry craving? This easy blueberry cobbler is a similar recipe using blueberries. Or, if you are looking for a reason to eat ice cream, make this easy rhubarb sauce in the spring (or from frozen rhubarb anytime). If it's close to Thanksgiving or Christmas, try this apple and cranberry cobbler. It's amazing!
Table of contents
Why I Love this 3 Ingredient Dump Cake
- Just 3 ingredients: All you need is apple pie filling, yellow cake mix, and butter. No fancy steps, no extra bowls—just layer and bake!
- A recipe I can always count on: I've made this apple dump cake for years because it's one of those dependable desserts that's quick to assemble and always disappears fast. It's my kind of recipe!
- Tastes like apple pie or cobbler: The apples bubble up under a crisp, buttery topping, giving you all the cozy flavors of homemade apple pie or apple cobbler with a fraction of the work.
- Perfect for busy days: Whether it's fall baking, a holiday dessert, or a last-minute weeknight treat, this easy apple dump cake always comes through.
- Budget-friendly ingredients: Cake mix, canned apple pie filling, and butter are easy to keep on hand, making this one of my favorite inexpensive desserts.
- Always a crowd favorite: Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and watch it disappear. It's one of those simple desserts that people ask for again and again.
Ingredients
Yes, this you only need these three ingredients for this dump cake!
- Yellow cake mix. Use your favorite box mix brand. Just make sure there is roughly 15.25 oz of cake mix in the box.
- 1 ½ sticks of butter, salted or unsalted, it doesn't matter; either one will taste good. When I do use salted butter, I find I can taste the salt and love the sweet and salty flavor combination in the crust.
- 2 cans of apple pie filling. If you have your own homemade apple pie filling, I'm jealous! You can certainly use that along with homemade cake mix.
Instructions
I use a 9 x 13 baking dish.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Step 1
Spray your baking dish with nonstick baking spray.
Dump the two cans of apple pie slices into the bottom of the dish.
I challenge you not to try these apples! Of course, you need to taste test : ).
Step 2
Add the cake mix on top of the apples. You want an even thin layer. Just the dry cake mix. Do NOT use the other ingredients listed on the box. Do not stir!
I use a large spoon and gently smooth the cake mix over the apple layer.
Step 3
Slice one and a half sticks of butter into thin slices. The more slices you have, the more surface area you cover with butter and the better your topping is!
Bake in the oven for approximately 35 minutes until the topping is golden brown. There are usually spots where the apple filling bubbles up. This is when your kitchen smells like apple pie!
Step 4
Look at the end result below! Yum!
Helpful hint
If you have a few dry spots, you can either add a few small pieces of butter onto the dry areas or give the dry cake mix areas a quick spray with no-stick spray and put it back in the oven for about 5 minutes. This will make everything evenly golden and will prevent any dry spots.
Here's the finished dessert! It tastes so good! If you like apple pie, this is the easiest way to get all the taste and flavor of apple pie without fuss. Of course, a little scoop of ice cream adds to the deliciousness!
How to store and reheat
This stores well in the refrigerator for five days if the baking dish is wrapped or the dump cake is transferred to a sealed container.
This easy apple cobbler recipe can be frozen, but that may affect the texture. Since it is such a quick and easy recipe to make, I would only freeze it if you have leftovers (not because you are trying to make it ahead). Thaw to room temperature and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees before serving.
FAQ's
Spray some baking or cooking spray on the dry spots. Or, if you have some additional butter handy, add a few small pieces of butter onto the dry spots. Bake an additional 5 minutes.
Yes, however, I find artificial sweeteners never taste as good as natural sweeteners when baking a dessert. Personally, I would just enjoy a smaller piece.
To make this recipe, you DO NOT add them. You use the dry cake mix straight from the box. Honest. It feels funny the first time you do it, but it turns out great.
Other easy fruit cobbler desserts
Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box spice cake I use Betty Crocker but other brands work.
- 2 cans apple pie filling 20 oz cans (2)
- ¾ cup butter (one and a half sticks)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 ℉.
- Spray your 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Pour the apple pie filling into the prepared baking dish.
- Gently spread dry cake mix over the fruit. Use the back of a large spoon to spread and break up any cake mix lumps. Do not pack the cake mix.
- Cut butter in thin slices and spread evenly over the cake mix. The more coverage you have, the better it turns out!
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Watch to see if it's browning and if the apple filling is bubbling.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
How to store and reheat
This stores well in the refrigerator for four days if the baking dish is wrapped or the dump cake is transferred to a sealed container.This easy apple cobbler recipe can be frozen, but that may affect the texture. Since it is such a quick and easy recipe to make, I would only freeze it if you have leftovers (not because you are trying to make it ahead). Thaw to room temperature and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees before serving. If you love cherry desserts, try this easy cherry bars recipe!
Nutrition (estimate)
Margie parker
Great
Josephine
Could fresh apples be used? I do know the recipe depends on the contents of the pie filling but I have ar least a dozen apples which needs to be used.
Shannon
I used about 4 lbs of apples (Granny Smith) and made my own pie filling! We prefer a very fruit-heavy dessert so you might be able to get away with 3 lbs.