This 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake is warm, buttery, and bursting with spiced apple flavor—your easiest go-to dessert for holidays or last-minute cravings!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Only Three Ingredients: No complicated steps or grocery lists—just three pantry staples.
Minimal Prep: Just dump, layer, and bake. No mixing bowls required.

Comfort Food Classic: Tastes like apple cobbler with a buttery, crisp topping.
Customizable: Add nuts, spices, or toppings to make it your own.
Perfect for Crowds: Makes enough to feed a group with minimal effort.

Budget-Friendly: Inexpensive ingredients with a rich, homemade taste.
Great for Beginners: Virtually foolproof—perfect for novice bakers.
Family Favorite: Loved by kids and adults alike.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be prepped earlier in the day and baked when needed.
Pairs Perfectly with Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla takes it over the top.

Ingredients

2 (21-ounce) cans apple pie filling

1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 ounces)
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, sliced into thin pats

Optional Toppings:

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Chopped pecans or walnuts
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Spread the apple pie filling evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish.

Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the apples. Do not stir.
Arrange the butter slices evenly over the top of the cake mix, covering as much of the surface as possible.
If desired, sprinkle ground cinnamon and chopped nuts over the top.

Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the edges are bubbling.
Let cool slightly before serving.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

Servings And Timing

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes
Calories Per Serving: ~365 kcal

Variations

Spiced Apple Dump Cake: Add ground nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom for extra depth.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake: Drizzle caramel sauce over the apple filling before adding the cake mix.
Nutty Crunch: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping for extra texture.
Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free yellow cake mix.

Apple-Berry Twist: Mix in some fresh or frozen cranberries or raspberries with the apple filling.
Maple Infusion: Add a tablespoon of maple syrup over the filling before baking.
Apple-Cherry Blend: Use one can each of apple and cherry pie filling for a fruity combo.

Spiked Flavor: Add a splash of bourbon or spiced rum to the apple filling.
Crumbly Top: Mix cake mix with melted butter to create a streusel-style topping instead of layering.
Single-Serve Style: Bake in individual ramekins for easy serving at dinner parties.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 30–45 seconds or warm the entire dish in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10–15 minutes.
Freezing: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

Can I Use Fresh Apples Instead Of Pie Filling?

Yes, but you’ll need to cook them down with sugar and spices first to replicate the soft, sweet pie filling texture.

Should I Melt The Butter First?

No, slicing it into thin pats ensures even coverage and helps create a crisp topping as it bakes.

Can I Use White Or Spice Cake Mix Instead Of Yellow?

Absolutely! Both work well and bring different flavor profiles—spice cake pairs especially well with apples.

Do I Need To Stir The Layers Together?

No, resist the urge to stir. Layering is what gives dump cake its unique texture.

Can I Make This In A Slow Cooker?

Yes, cook on high for 2–3 hours or low for 4–5 hours until the top is set and edges are bubbly.

Can I Add Oats For A Crumble Effect?

Yes, mix rolled oats with some of the dry cake mix and butter for a more crumbly, crisp topping.

Is This Recipe Vegan-Friendly?

Not as written, but you can use dairy-free butter and a vegan cake mix to adapt it.

Why Is It Called A Dump Cake?

Because you “dump” all the ingredients into the pan without mixing—simple and efficient.

Can I Use Salted Butter Instead?

Yes, though unsalted gives you more control over the final flavor.

Can I Serve It Cold?

You can, but it tastes best warm, especially with melting vanilla ice cream on top.

Conclusion

This 3-ingredient apple dump cake is the ultimate easy dessert—no fuss, no mess, and no mixing bowls required. With just minutes of prep, you’ll have a bubbling, buttery, apple-filled treat ready to wow your family or guests. Keep this recipe on hand for those cozy fall nights or last-minute dessert emergencies—it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

More Easy & Cozy Apple Desserts

Craving more simple and delicious desserts? Our Apple Crumble Bars deliver a perfect balance of buttery crust and sweet apple filling. For a cheesecake twist, try the luscious Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake Delight—creamy, spiced, and ideal for fall gatherings. Love crispy textures? You’ll adore the crunchy top of our Pumpkin Crisp Recipe, a great companion dessert. If you’re in the mood for something soft and nostalgic, don’t miss our Apple Blondies with Maple Glaze or the moist and tender Amish Applesauce Cake for that old-fashioned charm.

3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake

Author: Chef Clara

Print Recipe

Description

This ultra-simple dessert combines apple pie filling, yellow cake mix, and butter to create a warm, gooey, golden-topped cake with irresistible apple pie flavor—all with just 3 ingredients and almost no prep.

Ingredients

Scale

2 (21-ounce) cans apple pie filling
1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 ounces)
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, sliced into thin pats

Optional: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional: Chopped pecans or walnuts
Optional: Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread the apple pie filling evenly into the bottom of the dish.

Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the apples—do not mix.
Place butter slices evenly over the surface of the cake mix, covering as much area as possible.
Optionally, sprinkle cinnamon and chopped nuts on top.

Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the top is golden and the edges are bubbling.
Cool slightly before serving warm with optional ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

Ensure butter is evenly distributed to avoid dry spots.

Use a spice cake mix for extra flavor variation.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated.