Go Back

Apple Dump Cake

Apple dump cake is a classic American dessert with a golden, crispy cake-mix crumble over bubbling apple pie filling. Butter-sliced topping bakes into butterscotch-like edges while the apples stay tender beneath.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Apple pie filling
  • 2 can (21 oz) apple pie filling
Spices
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
Cake topping
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow or spice cake mix
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, thinly sliced Slice butter thinly so it melts into crisp edges during baking.
Optional nuts
  • 0.5 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped Optional for extra crunch.
Serving
  • 1 vanilla ice cream for serving

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and assemble
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish. Use an even coat so the cake releases cleanly after baking.
  2. Spread the apple pie filling across the bottom of the dish, then stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg. Distribute spices so every bite has warm, spiced flavor.
  3. Dump the dry cake mix evenly over the apple filling and do not stir. Keep the top dry so it bakes into a crisp, crumbly layer.
  4. Arrange the thin butter slices in a single layer over the entire surface of the dry cake mix. Cover every inch so the topping crisps and turns deeply golden.
  5. Scatter chopped pecans or walnuts over the top if using. Let the nuts sit on the surface for toasted crunch in the baked crumble.
Bake and serve
  1. Bake for 40-45 minutes at 350°F until the top is deeply golden and crispy. The apple filling should bubble around the edges when it’s ready.
  2. Serve the dump cake warm with vanilla ice cream. Spoon from the center to show the tender apple filling beneath the crisp top.

Notes

For best crunch, do not stir after adding the cake mix—leave the dry layer intact under the butter. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; rewarm portions in the microwave or a 300°F oven until hot. Freezing is not recommended for best texture. Dietary swap: use unsalted plant-based butter in the same amount for a dairy-free option.