I can’t believe how ridiculously easy this Apple Dump Cake recipe is to make. I get it, I get it, it’s called “dump cake” for a reason. You literally add apples, boxed cake mix, and melted butter to a baking dish, put it in the oven, and then dessert magic happens. Talk about fast and economical!! If you’re stuck with the task of desserts this holiday season but don’t identify as a baker, this apple cake recipe is your saving grace! Serve it hot with a big scoop of ice cream and try not to eat it all at once. 😉
Classic Apple Dump Cake with Cake Mix
This delicious apple cake is almost too easy to make. Think apple pie meets apple cobbler, with an apple filling and a buttery yellow cake filling. I use a blend of tart, firm Granny Smith apples and juicy, flavorful honey chips for the perfect balance and texture. Quickly add the usual suspects of cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg and a pinch of salt, then all you have to do is POUR over a box of cake mix, drizzle with melted butter and pop it in the oven!
My biggest tip for this fresh apple cake (aside from not mixing!) is to not overcomplicate it. It’s supposed to be quick and easy. Boxed cake mix and melted butter are the perfect combination to create the old-fashioned flavor that dump cakes are known for! For an easy from-scratch cake, try our “Do Nothing” cake recipe.
Tips and recipe suggestions
- DO NOT mix all ingredients together. You literally throw the apples evenly into the baking dish, then cover them with the cake mix and melted butter. You don’t mix it at any point. I know it sounds like it would create a powdery mess, but it doesn’t. The butter and apple juice mix with the cake mix to form a golden, doughy topping. I promise.
- You don’t do it to have peel the apples if you like a little texture. I usually peel mine, but that’s up to you.
- Feel free to adjust the spices. You can use pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, powdered ginger, cardamom, or any warm fall spice.
- If you are in a real hurry, you can use canned apple pie filling or your favorite canned pie filling. But I promise you, there’s nothing like fresh apples! If using canned pie filling over fresh apples, skip the sugar and seasonings and pour the filling directly into the baking dish (this would be a 3-ingredient apple cake, because all you need to make it is apple pie filling, cake mix, and melted butter).
- Budget saving tip. Honey Crisp apples can be more expensive, so feel free to use only Granny Smith apples.
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Apple cake
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Equipment
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9×13” baking dish
Ingredients
- 3 Granny Smith Apples peeled and medium dice (3 cups, 660 g uncut) $2.39
- 3 Crispy Honey Apples peeled and medium dice (3 cups, 625 g uncut) $4.49
- ½ cup Powdered sugar 110g, $0.19
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon $0.10
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg $0.01
- ⅛ teaspoon salt $0.01
- 1 box yellow cake mix 15.25 oz. box, $1.12*
- 1 cup butter melted, (2 sticks) $1.21
Instructions
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Gather and prepare all the ingredients. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
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Peel and cut the apples into medium sized cubes and place them in a 9×13 baking dish.
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Pour the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt over the apples and toss to coat. Spread evenly to fit the pan.
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Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the apples, covering them completely.**
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Pour the melted butter evenly over the cake mixture, covering as much as possible.
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Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is golden and the apples are tender.
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Take the apple cake out of the oven and enjoy.
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Remarks
**I know your instinct is to mix it up, but DON’T DO IT! It’s not called “dump cake” for nothing. Simply layer the ingredients and put it in the oven.
Nutrition
how to make Apple Dump Cake step by step photos
Gather all your ingredients and preheat the oven to 350°F.
Prepare the apples: Peel and cut 3 Granny Smith apples and 3 Honey Crisp apples into medium-sized cubes.
Prepare the apple filling: Place diced apples in a 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ⅛ teaspoon salt over the apples and toss to coat. Distribute the apples evenly to fit the pan.
Assemble the dump cake: Sprinkle dry yellow cake mix evenly over apples. Make sure to completely cover the apples. DO NOT mix it! It should rest on top of the diced apples.
Now, pour 1 cup of melted butter evenly over the cake mixture, covering as much as possible. Again, DO NOT mix this!
Cook: Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The top will be golden brown and the apples will be tender when cooked.
Serve: Remove your baked apple cake, serve and enjoy!
Presentation suggestions
I think this apple cake recipe is the most delicious warm in the oven. I love putting it in a bowl and enjoying it as is, but I’ll never say no to a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top. A little caramel sauce would be super decadent and would enhance this dump cake for a special occasion.
Storage and reheating
Cover leftover apple spice cake tightly or transfer leftovers to an airtight container, then refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days (depending on the freshness of your apples). When you’re ready to enjoy it again, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds, or put the entire dish in a 325°F oven for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Easier Apple Desserts
Apple crumble
Recipe at $7.42 / serving at $0.61
Apple flutes
Recipe at $2.33 / serving at $0.38
French fries
Recipe at $5.14 / serving at $1.29
Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding
Recipe at $4.22 / serving at $0.70
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