Apple Dump Cake

Name: Apple Dump Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 6 cups cold water; ¼ cup lemon juice; 9 large Granny Smith apples, (peeled, cored, and diced); 1 teaspoon cinnamon; ½ cup sugar; ½ cup light brown sugar, (tightly packed); 1 teaspoon apple pie spice; 1 box yellow cake mix; ½ cup butter, (cold and sliced into pats); ¼ cup butter, (melted)

This effortless and simple apple dump cake is a decadent and easy dessert you'll love.

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Table of Contents

Apple Dump Cake Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Apple Dump Cake Recipe
How To Serve
Storing This Cake Mix Dump Cake
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE

This apple dump cake is unbelievably delicious and so easy to make. Tart apples are topped with cake mix and spices for a cozy fall dessert that’s sure to be your favorite dump cake recipe.

Apple Dump Cake Ingredients

Apple Dump Cake raw ingredients that are labeled

An ice cream dessert is a tantalizing treat that brings joy to your taste buds. The creamy texture of the ice cream melts in your mouth like silk, and the sweet, delectable flavor will make your taste buds dance with delight.

You’ll need:

6 cups of cold water
¼ cup of lemon juice
9 large Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and diced
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
½ cup of sugar
½ cup of light brown sugar, tightly packed
1 teaspoon of apple pie spice
1 box of yellow cake mix
½ cup of butter, cold and sliced into pats
¼ cup of butter, melted

PRO TIP:

When buying the cake mix, it is best to pick one that doesn’t have pudding mix in it; check the label to make sure.

Substitutions And Additions

APPLES OR APPLE PIE FILLING: You can use any type of apples that you prefer in this dump cake. You could also use apple pie filling or fried apples in place of the fresh apples to save time; however, I think the fresh fruit really enhances this cake. It’s also great if you’re trying to figure out what to do if you have too many apples at home during the fall season!

CAKE MIX: There are multiple flavors of cake mix that would work in your apple pie dump cake. I would stick with a white cake mix and stay away from chocolate. Other cake mixes that would taste good include French vanilla, vanilla, white, or spice cake mix.

TOPPINGS: If you’d like to add some crunch to your apple cake, you can top it off with nuts like pecans or walnuts. You can also drizzle caramel sauce on the top for some extra sweetness.

How To Make This Apple Dump Cake Recipe

Once you get the apples ready with some warm spices, you will spread them in the baking dish, top with cake mix, and butter, and pop the pan in the oven. It’s that simple!

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

You’ll want to use a 9×13-inch cake pan so that the texture and consistency are right. I’ve used an 11×7-inch pan before, and it turned out a little too thick, which changed the delicious texture of the dump cake.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Then spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.

STEP TWO: Pour 6 cups of cold water into a large mixing bowl.

STEP THREE: Add the ¼ cup of lemon juice to the cold water.

STEP FOUR: Peel, core, and chop the apples into small square pieces. Place the chopped apple pieces into the lemon water. This will prevent the apples from browning.

STEP FIVE: Using a colander, completely drain the diced apples.

STEP SIX: Transfer the drained diced apples back into the same large mixing bowl.

STEP SEVEN: Sprinkle cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar, and apple pie spice over the top of the apples. Using a spoon, mix the apples in the baking dish to coat all sides of the apples.

sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spices in a bowl and then mixed together

STEP EIGHT: Pour the coated apples into the greased baking dish, making sure to spread the apples evenly.

STEP NINE: Top the apples with the dry cake mix. Gently shake the pan to help distribute the cake mix.

STEP TEN: Arrange the cold butter pats evenly on top of the cake mix.

STEP ELEVEN: Using a spoon, drizzle the melted butter between the butter pats. Tilt the pan back and forth to cover as much of the top with butter as possible.

melted butter drizzled between the butter pats in a pan

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your dump cake as the recommended baking time approaches.

STEP TWELVE: Place the apple dump cake in the oven and bake for 50 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

PRO TIP:

Because dump cakes are so gooey and moist, it can be hard to determine if they’re done. It’s normal to see some wet spots and some spots that are more crisp and done.

STEP THIRTEEN: Serve warm.

How To Serve

Like any dump cake, a great way to serve this perfect dessert is with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side and homemade whipped cream and caramel sauce drizzled on top.

You can also serve the cake with fresh fruits such as sliced strawberries, peaches, or even pears – adding a burst of freshness to your plate.

Check out our other apple recipes, including our apple enchiladas and easy apple dumplings.

MORE APPLE RECIPES

Cobblers & Crisps

Apple Crisp

Desserts

Apple Betty

Storing This Cake Mix Dump Cake

Here’s a guide on how to store your apple dump cake to ensure it stays scrumptious.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re looking to save time on the day of serving, you can prepare your apple dump cake ahead of time. Once baked, allow it to cool completely, and then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in a cool, dry place, such as your pantry or countertop, for up to 24 hours. However, keep in mind that the longer it sits, the texture may become slightly softer.

ON THE COUNTER: You can store leftover apple dump cake at room temperature for 1 to 2 days.

IN THE FRIDGE: It could also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Storing in the refrigerator will extend the shelf life for a few days.

IN THE FREEZER: To keep apple dump cake for even longer, you can store leftovers in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight container. When you plan to serve, thaw overnight before reheating.

REHEATING: To reheat your apple dump cake, there are a few methods you can choose from:

Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the cake from the refrigerator or freezer and place it in a baking dish. Cover the dish with foil to prevent drying out, and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
Microwave: If you’re short on time, you can also reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place a slice of cake on a microwave-safe plate and heat on medium power for 30-second intervals until warmed to your liking. Keep an eye on it to prevent overheating.

close up shot of a serving of apple dump cake topped with vanilla ice cream on a plate

I love dump cake recipes because of their ease and deliciousness. It’s seriously as simple as dumping all of the ingredients together into a pan, and baking. This easy apple dump cake is always a favorite because it resembles a classic apple pie.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a dump cake?

A dump cake is an easy and super moist cake in which the ingredients are simply dumped into the pan and baked. Usually, they use a box of cake mix and a handful of additional simple ingredients.

Can you make a dump cake ahead of time?

This is a great recipe to make ahead. You can make apple dump cake up to 2 days ahead of time. Just store it in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

Can I switch to a white cake mix for the yellow cake mix?

You can easily substitute white boxed cake mix for the yellow cake mix in this easy recipe.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Apple Dump Cake

5 from 7 votes

This effortless and simple apple dump cake is a decadent and easy dessert you’ll love.

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1 15

Servings

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Ingredients

6 cups cold water
¼ cup lemon juice
9 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup sugar
½ cup light brown sugar, tightly packed
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
1 box yellow cake mix
½ cup butter, cold and sliced into pats
¼ cup butter, melted

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Pour the 6 cups of cold water into a large mixing bowl.
Add the ¼ cup of lemon juice to the cold water.
Place peeled, cored, and diced apples into the lemon water.
Using a colander, completely drain the diced apples.
Transfer the drained diced apples back into the same large mixing bowl.
Sprinkle the diced apples with the sugars, cinnamon, and apple pie spice. Using a large spoon, toss the apples until well coated.
Pour the coated apples into the buttered baking dish, making sure to spread the apples evenly.
Top the apples with the cake mix. Gently shake the pan to help distribute the cake mix.
Arrange the cold butter pats evenly on top of the dry cake mix.
Using a spoon, drizzle the melted butter between the butter pats.
Place the apple dump cake in the oven, and bake for 50 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Serve warm.

Video

Notes

When buying the cake mix, it is best to pick one that doesn’t have pudding mix in it; check the label to make sure.
You’ll want to use a 9×13-inch cake pan so that the texture and consistency are right. I’ve used an 11×7-inch pan before, and it turned out a little too thick, which changed the delicious texture of the dump cake.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your dump cake as the recommended baking time approaches.
Because dump cakes are so gooey and moist, it can be hard to determine if they’re done. It’s normal to see some wet spots and some spots that are more crisp and done.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!