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Apple Dump Cake layers sweet apple filling with a buttery cake mix and nuts, making an easy baked dessert with a crisp topping and soft center.

A close-up view of a square slice of warm apple dump cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce on a white plate.

Table of Contents

Recipe Tips

I love making an easy cake like this 3-Ingredient Blueberry Lemon Dump Cake. With a few extra tips, this cake is super simple to make. 

  • Don’t mix the layers. The beauty of this recipe is how easy it is, with no stirring required. Simply layer the ingredients as directed and watch the magic happen as it bakes.
  • Cover as much of the cake mix with butter as possible. The butter helps the cake topping get crispy. If any powdery spots appear while baking, just add a little more butter. 
  • Let it cool before serving. Cooling the cake for about 10 minutes allows the filling to thicken slightly.
A plated slice of apple dump cake topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce sits in front of a glass baking dish filled with the remaining dessert.

Ingredients

You only need 4 simple ingredients to make this cake.

  • Apple pie filling: Two cans of apple pie filling create the sweet, fruity base. Choose your favorite brand, or stir in a little cinnamon or apple pie spice for even more flavor. Homemade apple pie filling works beautifully if you have it on hand.
  • Yellow or spice cake mix: The dry cake mix becomes the golden topping as it bakes. Yellow cake mix creates a classic buttery flavor, while spice cake mix adds extra warmth with cinnamon and spices. Both options work wonderfully.
  • Pecans or walnuts: Chopped pecans add a rich, buttery crunch that pairs beautifully with apples. Walnuts are another excellent choice if you prefer a slightly earthier flavor. If you need a nut-free dessert, simply leave them out.
  • Unsalted butter: Melted butter is poured over the dry cake mix, helping create a crisp, golden topping. Unsalted butter gives you better control over the flavor, though salted butter works if that is what you have available.
  • Vanilla ice cream (optional): A scoop of cold vanilla ice cream melts into the warm cake for an irresistible dessert.
  • Caramel sauce (optional): A drizzle adds another layer of sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the apples.
A flat lay showing labeled ingredients needed to make an apple dump cake, including a bag of yellow cake mix, a bowl of apple pie filling, chopped pecans, and unsalted butter.

How To Make Apple Dump Cake

Layer the ingredients in the baking dish and bake. Let me show you how easy this dump cake is to make. Let me show you how:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly coat a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and lightly dust it with flour.
  2. Spread the apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the baking dish.
  3. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the apple filling without stirring.
  4. Melt the butter. 
    A side-by-side collage showing apple pie filling spread in a glass baking dish, dry cake mix sprinkled over the fruit, and a bowl of melted butter ready to be poured.
  5. Slowly drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix, covering as much of the surface as possible.
  6. Sprinkle the chopped pecans or walnuts evenly across the top.
  7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Cool for 10 minutes and serve. 
    A side-by-side collage showing melted butter poured over dry cake mix, chopped pecans sprinkled on top, and the finished golden brown baked apple dump cake in a glass dish.

Recipe FAQs

Do I need to stir the ingredients together? 

No, that is the beauty of this recipe. No stirring required, just layer the ingredients in the pan and bake.

Can I make apple dump cake without nuts?

Yes, you can omit the nuts if you do not want to add them.

What should I serve with this?

I love to serve a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of caramel sauce over the top. A dollop of whipped cream is also delicious.

Baking at High Altitude Adjustments

If you are baking above 3,500 feet, this recipe needs only a few small adjustments.

  • Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of extra melted butter if any part of the cake mix remains dry.
  • Check the dessert after about 30 minutes, since baked goods often finish more quickly at higher elevations.
  • If the topping browns before the filling is bubbling, loosely cover the pan with foil for the remaining baking time.
An overhead view of a freshly baked apple dump cake in a glass baking dish with a golden brown pecan crust.

If you make this Apple Dump Cake, we would love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below, share your favorite variation, and save this recipe for the next time you need an easy dessert that everyone will enjoy.

A close-up view of a square slice of warm apple dump cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce on a white plate.
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Apple Dump Cake

By Jillian Wade
Apple Dump Cake is an easy dessert made with apple pie filling, buttery cake mix, and crunchy pecans for a warm, cozy treat everyone loves.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 8 people
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Equipment

  • 13×9-inch baking dish
  • Measuring cup
  • Microwave safe-bowl
  • Rubber spatula

Ingredients 

  • 2 cans apple pie filling, 21 oz each
  • 1 box yellow or spice cake mix, 15.25 oz, dry
  • 1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted

For Serving (Optional)

  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Caramel sauce
US Customary – Metric

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Lightly coat a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and dust with flour.
  • Spread the apple pie filling evenly in the bottom of the dish.
  • Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the filling.
  • Drizzle the melted butter over the top, covering as much of the dry mix as possible.
  • Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the top.
  • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is set.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.
  • Serve with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce if desired.

Notes

Storage

Store leftover Apple Dump Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing

Wrap the cooled baking dish tightly with plastic wrap, then foil, or transfer portions to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Thawing

Place the frozen dessert in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating

Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, or reheat larger portions in a 325-degree Fahrenheit oven until warmed through.

Make Ahead

Assemble the layers up to several hours before baking and refrigerate. Add the melted butter just before placing the dish in the oven for the best topping.

Serving Suggestions

Apple Dump Cake is wonderful served warm with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. Fresh whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a handful of toasted pecans make delicious additions. It is equally at home on a holiday dessert table or on a casual family dinner table.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 476kcal, Carbohydrates: 55g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 46mg, Sodium: 473mg, Potassium: 86mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 29g, Vitamin A: 539IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 150mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
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