Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe | Easy Fall Desserts

This Apple Pie Dump Cake is one of the easiest fall desserts you can make. It combines warm cinnamon-spiced apple pie filling with buttery cake mix and a golden, slightly crisp topping—all with almost no mixing required.

Serve it warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce for an easy apple dessert that tastes somewhere between apple pie and cobbler.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45–50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 10–12

Why You'll Love This Apple Pie Dump Cake

Only a few simple ingredients

No complicated mixing

Warm apple pie flavor

Crispy, buttery cake topping

Perfect for fall and Thanksgiving

Delicious served warm with ice cream

Easy enough for beginner bakers

Great for potlucks and family gatherings

Ingredients

Apple Filling

2 cans (21 ounces each) apple pie filling

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon apple pie spice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

¼ cup caramel sauce, optional

Cake Topping

1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix

¾ cup unsalted butter, melted

½ cup chopped pecans, optional

2 tablespoons brown sugar

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For Serving

Vanilla ice cream

Warm caramel sauce

Chopped toasted pecans, optional

How to Make Apple Pie Dump Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2: Make the Apple Pie Layer

Spread both cans of apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the baking dish.

Sprinkle the cinnamon and apple pie spice over the apples.

Add the vanilla and lemon juice, then gently stir everything together directly in the baking dish.

For a caramel apple variation, drizzle about ¼ cup caramel sauce over the apple filling.

Spread the apples back into an even layer.

Step 3: Add the Cake Mix

Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the apple filling.

Do not prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box. You want to use the dry mix directly from the package.

Also, don't stir the cake mix into the apples.

The separate layers are what create the signature dump cake texture.

Step 4: Add the Butter

Slowly drizzle the melted butter all over the dry cake mix.

Try to cover as much of the surface as possible. Any large patches of completely dry cake mix may remain powdery after baking.

Step 5: Add the Cinnamon-Pecan Topping

Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans.

Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the cake.

The brown sugar helps create a sweet, slightly caramelized crust while the pecans add crunch.

Step 6: Bake

Bake the apple pie dump cake uncovered for 45–50 minutes.

It's ready when:

The apple filling is bubbling around the edges.

The top is golden brown.

The butter and cake mix have formed a crisp, cobbler-like topping.

If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.

Step 7: Let It Rest

Remove the dump cake from the oven and allow it to rest for about 10–15 minutes.

The apple filling will be extremely hot immediately after baking, and letting it rest also allows the filling to thicken slightly.

What Is a Dump Cake?

A dump cake is an easy dessert made by layering fruit filling, dry cake mix, and butter in a baking dish.

Unlike traditional cake, there's usually no batter to prepare.

As the dessert bakes, the fruit releases moisture while the butter melts into the cake mix, creating a buttery golden topping over the warm fruit.

The finished dessert is closer in texture to a fruit cobbler or crisp than a traditional slice of cake.

What Cake Mix Is Best for Apple Dump Cake?

Yellow cake mix is my first choice because its buttery vanilla flavor pairs perfectly with cinnamon apples.

You can also use:

Butter pecan cake mix

Spice cake mix

Vanilla cake mix

White cake mix

For an especially cozy fall version, use spice cake mix. The cinnamon, nutmeg, and other warm spices complement the apple pie filling beautifully.

Can You Make Apple Pie Dump Cake With Fresh Apples?

Yes.

Instead of canned apple pie filling, peel and thinly slice about 6 medium apples.

Toss them with:

½ cup brown sugar

¼ cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 teaspoons cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

¼ cup water

Spread the apple mixture into your baking dish and continue with the cake mix and butter layers.

Granny Smith apples are especially good because their tart flavor balances the sweetness of the cake topping.

Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Braeburn apples also work well.

Caramel Apple Pie Dump Cake

Want to make this even more decadent?

Turn it into a Caramel Apple Pie Dump Cake.

Drizzle approximately ¼ cup of caramel sauce over the apple filling before adding the cake mix.

After baking, serve each warm portion with:

vanilla ice cream + warm caramel sauce + toasted pecans.

This is the version I'd photograph for the article because the melting ice cream and caramel immediately communicate an indulgent fall dessert.

How to Get the Best Dump Cake Topping

One of the most common problems with dump cakes is patches of dry cake mix on top.

To prevent this:

Spread the cake mix evenly. Break apart any large clumps before adding it.

Cover the cake mix thoroughly with butter. Melted butter is easier to distribute than slices of cold butter.

Don't stir the layers together. The topping needs to remain above the fruit.

Bake until deeply golden. A pale topping generally means it needs more time.

You want the finished top to have areas that are golden, buttery, crisp, and slightly crumbly.

What to Serve With Apple Pie Dump Cake

Apple pie dump cake is best served warm.

Try it with:

Vanilla bean ice cream

Whipped cream

Salted caramel sauce

Cinnamon ice cream

Toasted pecans

Candied walnuts

Powdered sugar

My favorite combination is warm apple dump cake topped with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel.

The cold ice cream begins melting into the warm cinnamon apples and buttery cake topping.

How to Store Apple Pie Dump Cake

Allow leftovers to cool completely.

Cover the baking dish tightly or transfer the dump cake to an airtight container.

Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How to Reheat Apple Dump Cake

For individual portions, microwave for approximately 20–30 seconds or until warm.

For a crispier topping, reheat the dump cake in a 350°F oven for about 10–15 minutes.

Add ice cream only after reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you mix dump cake?

No. The ingredients are intentionally layered rather than mixed together. The fruit goes on the bottom, followed by dry cake mix and butter.

Why is my dump cake still powdery?

There probably wasn't enough butter covering that area of cake mix. Make sure the melted butter is distributed as evenly as possible before baking.

Does apple dump cake need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Once cooled, store leftovers covered in the refrigerator.

Can I make apple dump cake ahead of time?

You can, although the topping is crispiest when freshly baked. If making it ahead, reheat it in the oven before serving.

Can I use apple pie spice?

Absolutely. Apple pie spice adds cinnamon, nutmeg, and other warm spices that complement the apples.

What's the difference between apple dump cake and apple cobbler?

Both contain baked fruit with a topping, but cobbler traditionally uses biscuit dough or batter. Dump cake uses dry boxed cake mix and butter, making it considerably easier.

Nutrition Information

Approximate nutrition per serving, without ice cream or caramel:

Calories: 375
Carbohydrates: 59g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 16g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 39g
Sodium: 340mg

Nutrition information is an estimate and varies by ingredients and serving size.