Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe

This easy apple dump cake comes together with just five simple ingredients for a warm, delicious fall dessert that’s perfect for family dinners and entertaining.

Once apple season arrives, I’m always looking for easy desserts that have all those cozy fall flavors without requiring me to spend hours baking in the kitchen. And this apple dump cake might be one of the easiest I’ve ever made.

With apple pie filling, cake mix, butter, and just a few optional toppings, there’s almost no prep involved. Everything goes right into the baking dish, and the oven does the rest. The result is warm, gooey apples underneath a buttery golden topping that’s even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

I especially love recipes like this during fall when I’d much rather be outside enjoying my gardens than fussing over a complicated dessert. It’s easy enough to make for a family dinner but also one I’ll serve when we’re entertaining because nobody needs to know how little effort went into it!

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How to Make This Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe

Yields: 8-10 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 45-50 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 (21-ounce) cans apple pie filling
• 1 (18.25-ounce) package yellow or butter cake mix
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving (optional)

If you want to whip up your own apple pie filling, check out this recipe from Spending With Pennies.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Pour both cans of apple pie filling into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
3. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the apple pie filling.
4. Add pats of butter evenly over the cake mix.
5. Sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts, if desired. I prefer to skip this part, but some like it more with nuts on top.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
7. Let cool slightly before serving warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

What Is a Dump Cake?

A dump cake is one of the easiest desserts you can make because there’s no mixing required. The ingredients are layered directly in the baking dish and baked until the fruit is warm and bubbly and the cake mix creates a golden, buttery topping.

Tips for the Best Apple Dump Cake

• For a richer flavor, use butter cake mix instead of yellow cake mix.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cake mix for extra spice.
• You can use any type of pie filling you like, such as cherry, peach, or blueberry.
• If you don’t have chopped nuts on hand, you can omit them or substitute with other toppings like shredded coconut or oats.

Easy Apple Dump Cake Variations

One of the best things about this easy apple dump cake is how simple it is to change up the flavors using the same basic recipe. Here are a few ideas to try:

• Add warm fall spices. Sprinkle cinnamon, apple pie spice, or a little nutmeg over the apple filling before adding the cake mix.
• Add some crunch. Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the top before baking for extra texture.
• Make it extra indulgent. Drizzle caramel sauce over the warm cake just before serving.
• Try a different cake mix. Yellow cake mix is classic, but spice cake mix is delicious with apples for an even cozier fall flavor.
• Swap the fruit. Use cherry, peach, or blueberry pie filling to make the same easy dessert with a completely different flavor.

My favorite way to serve it? Warm from the oven with vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream melting into that warm apple filling and buttery topping is so good.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
• Drizzle with caramel sauce or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
• Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.

Can You Make Apple Dump Cake Ahead of Time?

Apple dump cake is best when it’s freshly baked, but you can still get a head start if you’re making it for a party or holiday dinner. Have your ingredients measured and ready to go, then assemble the cake shortly before you’re ready to bake it.

You can also bake the entire dump cake earlier in the day and warm it up before serving. Cover the baked cake once it has cooled, then reheat it in the oven until warmed through. I love serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

For entertaining, this is one of those desserts I like because the prep is so quick that there really isn’t much to do ahead anyway.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or oven before serving.

Freezing Suggestions

Bake the dump cake as directed and let cool completely. Wrap the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. This apple dump cake recipe can be frozen for up to 3 months.

When you are ready to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the refrigerator overnight. Then bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.

Final Thoughts on This Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe

Some of my favorite recipes are the ones that look and taste like I spent far more time making them than I actually did, and this easy apple dump cake is one of them. It’s warm, buttery, full of apple flavor, and ridiculously simple to pull together when I want a homemade dessert without spending the afternoon in the kitchen.

I especially love making it during fall when we’re entertaining or having family over for dinner. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and nobody needs to know how little work went into it!

For more cozy seasonal recipes, try my Easy Apple Crisp for Two , pumpkin dump cake recipe, or one of my fall mocktail recipes. And if you’re planning a larger autumn gathering, my Thanksgiving hosting guide has lots of simple ideas for bringing the whole meal together.

Have you made an apple dump cake before? Let me know in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting the blog today!

Enjoy your day! xo

Originally Published Sep 23, 2026.