A slice of apple pie dump cake on a white plate, showcasing its golden-brown topping and apple filling.

Easy Apple Pie Dump Cake: 1 Pan Joy

August 10, 2025

You know, when fall rolls around, I just get the biggest craving for those warm, cinnamon-spiced flavors, and honestly, sometimes cooking feels like just another chore after a long day. That’s where this incredible apple pie dump cake comes in. It’s like a little bit of magic straight from my kitchen to yours – all the cozy taste of apple pie without all the fuss. I remember when I first discovered dump cakes, it was revolutionary! It’s proof you don’t need to be a gourmet chef or spend hours in the kitchen to create something truly delicious that brings people together. Just pure, simple joy in a pan.

Table of Contents

Why You'll Love This Easy Apple Dump Cake
The Magic Behind This Apple Pie Dump Cake
Ingredients for Your Apple Dump Cake
How to Make This Delicious Apple Pie Dump Cake
Tips for the Best Apple Dump Cake
- Ingredient Swaps for Your Apple Pie Dump Cake
- Achieving a Perfect Golden Topping
Serving and Storing Your Apple Pie Dump Cake
Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Pie Dump Cake
Nutritional Estimate for Apple Pie Dump Cake
Share Your Apple Pie Dump Cake Creations!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Dump Cake

Super Simple: Seriously, it’s called a “dump cake” for a reason! You just dump the ingredients in the pan. It’s my go-to when I want something comforting without the fuss.
Quick to Make: You can have this dessert ready to go in about 5 minutes of prep, then just let the oven do the work. Perfect for those nights when you’re just too tired to fuss.
Cozy Fall Flavors: It tastes just like a warm slice of apple pie, bursting with cinnamon and sweet apples. It’s like a hug in a bowl!
Minimal Mess: One pan, minimal cleanup – my kind of cooking! Less time scrubbing means more time enjoying the dessert.
Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves it, from picky eaters to grandma. It’s always a hit at potlucks and family gatherings.

A delicious, golden brown apple pie dump cake in a white ceramic dish sits on a wooden surface.

The Magic Behind This Apple Pie Dump Cake

So, what’s the big deal about a dump cake? It’s honestly one of the most genius ways to get that incredible home-baked feel without all the traditional steps. You basically just “dump” everything into one pan – no mixing bowls needed, no fancy techniques, zip, zilch, nada! It’s like magic for your taste buds. We’re talking about melting butter and pouring it over a layer of sweet, gooey apple pie filling, and then scattering dry cake mix right on top. The real magic happens in the oven: the butter seeps into the cake mix and cooks the dry bits until they’re this wonderfully tender, golden crumb topping, while the apple filling underneath gets all bubbly and delicious. It’s pure comfort food, and this apple pie dump cake recipe is the easiest way to deliver that warm, spiced apple flavor you’re craving.

Ingredients for Your Apple Dump Cake

Seriously, the ingredient list for this apple pie dump cake is almost as easy as making it! All you really need are these three superstars:

Apple Pie Filling: One standard can, that’s 21 ounces, of your favorite apple pie filling. It’s the heart and soul of this cake!
Yellow Cake Mix: One box, usually 15.25 ounces, of dry yellow cake mix. Just grab a box, no need to mix anything in it!
Unsalted Butter: About 1 cup, which is two sticks, of unsalted butter. Make sure it’s all melted so it can do its magic.
Optional Cinnamon: If you want that extra warm, cozy spice, grab a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. I love adding it right over the cake mix!
Serving Sides (Optional but recommended!): Vanilla ice cream or some yummy caramel sauce for drizzling. Trust me, you’ll want these!

Close-up of a freshly baked apple pie dump cake in a white baking dish, showing the crumble topping.

How to Make This Delicious Apple Pie Dump Cake

Alright, let’s get this amazing apple pie dump cake into the oven! It really couldn’t be simpler. My favorite part is how little effort it takes for such a huge reward. You’ll feel like a kitchen rockstar, I promise!

Prepping Your Apple Pie Dump Cake

First things first, let’s get your oven nice and toasty. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. No need to grease it; the butter in the topping does all the work!

Assembling the Apple Pie Dump Cake

Now for the fun part – the “dump”! Pour that can of apple pie filling right into your baking dish. Spread it out evenly so you have a nice, smooth base. Then, grab your dry cake mix and sprinkle it all over the apples. Try to get it as even as you can. My little trick? I like to give it a gentle shake to cover every corner. Finally, slowly pour your melted butter right over the dry cake mix. Make sure you cover as much of the surface as possible so the topping bakes up nice and golden. If you’re adding cinnamon, sprinkle it on now!

Baking Your Perfect Apple Pie Dump Cake

Pop that pan into your preheated oven. It’ll need about 40 to 45 minutes. You’re looking for that cake topping to be beautifully golden brown and you’ll see the apple filling starting to bubble up around the edges. That’s how you know this delicious apple pie dump cake is ready to treat your taste buds!

Tips for the Best Apple Dump Cake

Want to make your easy apple dump cake even more amazing? It’s already super simple, but a few little tricks can really elevate it. I love playing around with the flavors, and that’s part of the fun! Plus, getting that perfect golden cakey top is super satisfying.

Ingredient Swaps for Your Apple Pie Dump Cake

You can totally switch up the cake mix! While yellow is classic and works like a charm, a spice cake mix is extra yummy if you want a really strong fall flavor. Or maybe a white cake mix? Honestly, most simple cake mixes will work. If you’re feeling adventurous, toss in a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans on top of the cake mix before you add the butter for some extra crunch. It’s a little something special!

Achieving a Perfect Golden Topping

Sometimes, depending on your oven, the edges of the cake mix might get darker before the middle does. Don’t panic! If you notice the edges are looking a little *too* toasty, just carefully tent a piece of aluminum foil loosely over the top for the last 10-15 minutes of baking. This stops it from burning while letting the inside finish cooking. You want that beautiful, even golden-brown color all over, and that’s how you get it!

Close-up of a freshly baked apple pie dump cake in a white baking dish, showing the apple filling and golden crust.

Serving and Storing Your Apple Pie Dump Cake

Okay, so your apple pie dump cake is out of the oven, smelling heavenly and bubbling away. The best way to enjoy it? Serve it warm! Honestly, that’s when it’s at total peak deliciousness. Grab a scoop of cool vanilla ice cream – the contrast is just divine. Or, if you’re feeling extra decadent, drizzle on some gooey caramel sauce. Yum! If, by some small miracle, you have leftovers, just let the cake cool completely. Then, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or pop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep nicely on the counter for a day or so, or you can pop it in the fridge if it’s warmer where you are. To reheat, just pop a slice in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds until it’s warm again.

Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Pie Dump Cake

Got questions about this super simple dessert? I’ve got answers!

Can I make this apple pie dump cake in a slow cooker?

Oh, absolutely! If you don’t want to turn on the oven, or maybe you want to prep it ahead, your slow cooker is totally your friend here. Just do all the same steps – apple pie filling first, then the dry cake mix, and finally the melted butter poured over the top. Set your slow cooker to low and let it cook for about 2-3 hours, or until it’s all heated through and deliciously bubbly. It’s a great option, especially if you’re hosting and want it ready when guests arrive!

What’s the easiest apple dump cake recipe?

Honestly, this is about as easy as it gets! Seriously, calling it an apple dump cake the first time I heard that name felt unreal, but it lives up to the hype. You only need three main ingredients: apple pie filling, a box of cake mix, and butter. That’s it! No complicated steps, no measuring flour and sugar from scratch. You literally just dump it all in a pan and bake. It’s one of my favorite ways to get a comforting, homemade dessert on the table with almost zero effort.

How do I get a crispy topping on my apple pie dump cake?

For that perfect, crispy golden topping, the key is making sure that melted butter gets *everywhere* over the dry cake mix. Don’t be shy with it! You want to drizzle it evenly so all those dry bits get moistened. If your oven runs a little cool, or if you just want to be extra sure, you can always let it bake for the full 45 minutes, or even a few extra minutes if it still looks a little pale, just watching carefully so it doesn’t burn. Sometimes, a loose tent of foil over the top for the last 10 minutes can help the center cook through without the edges getting too dark. That golden, slightly crisp topping is just heavenly!

A slice of apple pie dump cake on a white plate, showcasing the apple filling and crumbly topping.

Nutritional Estimate for Apple Pie Dump Cake

Just a heads-up, like most of my recipes, these numbers are estimates and can change depending on the exact ingredients you use. But for a typical serving of this amazing apple pie dump cake, you’re looking at roughly 450 calories, about 25g of fat (15g of that saturated), 3g of protein, 55g of carbohydrates, and around 45g of sugar. It’s definitely a treat, perfect for those cozy fall evenings!

I just love hearing when you guys try out my recipes! If you make this apple pie dump cake, please, please, please let me know how it turned out for you in the comments below! I’d love to hear your thoughts, any little tweaks you made, or even just how much you loved it. And hey, if you snap a pic, tag me on social media – I can’t wait to see your delicious creations!