Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake
Sometimes the easiest desserts become the ones everyone asks you to make again.
This Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake needs almost no mixing and only a handful of simple ingredients.
Sweet apple pie filling is spread across a baking dish and seasoned with cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch of nutmeg. Dry yellow cake mix goes directly over the apples, followed by plenty of melted butter.
As it bakes, the fruit becomes hot and bubbly while the cake mix and butter transform into a golden, crisp, buttery topping.
The finished dessert tastes somewhere between:
- Apple cobbler
- Apple crisp
- Apple pie
- Buttery cake
Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream and you have one of the easiest fall desserts you can make.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Dump Cake
Very little preparation. There’s no complicated batter to mix.
Simple ingredients. Most are pantry staples.
Perfect for fall. Apples and cinnamon make it ideal for September through Thanksgiving.
Feeds a crowd. A 9×13-inch pan gives you plenty of servings.
Great for potlucks. Easy to transport and serve.
Easy to customize. Add caramel, pecans, walnuts, cranberries, or fresh apples.
Delicious warm or cold. Although warm with ice cream is hard to beat.
Ingredients
Apple Layer
- 2 cans apple pie filling, about 20–21 ounces each
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cake Topping
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
Optional Crunch
- ¾ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
For Serving
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
- Extra cinnamon
Best Apple Pie Filling to Use
Any good canned apple pie filling works.
Look for filling with:
- Plenty of apple slices
- Thick sauce
- Visible pieces of fruit
If the apple slices are very large, cut them into slightly smaller pieces before spreading them into the baking dish.
This makes the finished dump cake easier to scoop.
Can You Use Fresh Apples?
Yes.
If you prefer fresh apples, use approximately:
- 6 medium apples, peeled and sliced
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup water
Toss everything together and spread it in the baking dish.
Fresh apples require a little more preparation but give the dessert a homemade apple-cobbler feel.
Best Apples for Dump Cake
For a fresh-apple version, good choices include:
Granny Smith – tart and firm.
Honeycrisp – sweet with excellent texture.
Pink Lady – balanced sweet-tart flavor.
Fuji – naturally sweeter.
A combination of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp works especially well.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to:
350°F
Lightly grease a:
9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Layer
Spread both cans of apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the baking dish.
Sprinkle with:
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
Drizzle with vanilla.
Gently stir just the apple layer to distribute the seasonings.
Step 3: Add Cake Mix
Open the box of yellow cake mix.
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the apples.
Do not prepare the cake mix according to the package.
Do not add:
- Eggs
- Water
- Oil
The dry mix goes directly over the fruit.
Step 4: Level the Cake Mix
Use the back of a spoon to gently spread the dry cake mix into an even layer.
Do not stir it into the apples.
Keeping the layers separate is what creates the characteristic dump-cake topping.
Step 5: Add Pecans
If using nuts, sprinkle chopped:
pecans or walnuts
over the cake mix.
Step 6: Add Butter
Slowly drizzle melted butter over the entire surface.
Try to cover as much of the dry cake mix as possible.
This is important because butter is what transforms the dry mix into a golden topping.
Step 7: Bake
Bake uncovered at:
350°F for approximately 45–55 minutes.
The dump cake is ready when:
- Apple filling is bubbling around the edges
- Top is golden
- Most dry cake-mix patches have disappeared
Step 8: Rest
Let the dessert rest for:
10–15 minutes
before serving.
The apple filling will be extremely hot straight from the oven.
Step 9: Serve
Spoon the warm dump cake into bowls.
Top with:
vanilla ice cream
and optional caramel sauce.
The Secret to the Best Dump Cake
Don’t Stir the Layers
The fruit stays underneath while cake mix and butter stay on top.
Spread the Cake Mix Evenly
Thick piles of dry mix can leave powdery areas after baking.
Cover the Cake Mix With Butter
Try to distribute butter across the entire surface.
Bake Until Bubbling
The fruit should be visibly bubbling around the edges.
Let It Rest
A short rest helps the filling thicken slightly.
Why Does Dump Cake Work?
The fruit filling releases steam and moisture while baking.
At the same time, butter melts through the dry cake mix.
Together, they hydrate portions of the cake mix and create a topping with several textures:
- Crispy edges
- Buttery crumbs
- Soft cake-like areas
- Juicy fruit underneath
That’s why there is no traditional cake batter.
Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake With Caramel
Before adding the cake mix, drizzle:
½ cup caramel sauce
over the apple filling.
Then continue with the recipe.
Serve with additional caramel after baking.
This creates a caramel-apple dessert that’s especially good with vanilla ice cream.
Salted Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Make the caramel version and finish each serving with:
- Caramel sauce
- Tiny pinch of flaky salt
The salt helps balance the sweetness.
Apple Pecan Dump Cake
Add:
¾–1 cup chopped pecans
over the cake mix before adding butter.
Pecans become toasted as the dessert bakes and add great crunch.
Apple Walnut Dump Cake
Use chopped walnuts instead of pecans.
Walnuts give the dessert a slightly deeper, more traditional apple-dessert flavor.
Apple Cinnamon Spice Dump Cake
Replace yellow cake mix with:
spice cake mix.
This immediately adds more:
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Clove-style warmth
It’s an excellent Thanksgiving variation.
Apple Butter Dump Cake
Add:
½ cup apple butter
to the apple pie filling.
Stir it into the fruit layer before adding the cake mix.
This gives the dessert a more concentrated apple flavor.
Apple Cranberry Dump Cake
Add:
1–1½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
to the apples.
You can also use dried cranberries, though fresh cranberries give a stronger tart contrast.
This variation works particularly well for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Apple Raisin Dump Cake
Stir:
½ cup raisins
into the apple layer.
Add pecans for a more old-fashioned flavor.
Apple Cinnamon Oat Dump Cake
Sprinkle approximately:
1 cup old-fashioned oats
over the cake mix.
Add a little brown sugar and cinnamon.
This gives the top more of an apple-crisp texture.
Apple Cheesecake Dump Cake
Cut:
8 ounces cream cheese
into small cubes.
Scatter the cream cheese over the apple filling before adding the cake mix.
The finished dessert will have creamy cheesecake-style pockets throughout.
Apple Cinnamon Cream Cheese Dump Cake
For a sweeter cream-cheese layer, beat:
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Drop spoonfuls over the apple filling.
Then add cake mix and butter.
Cinnamon Roll Apple Dump Cake
Add:
- Extra cinnamon
- Brown sugar
- Chopped pecans
to the fruit layer.
After baking, drizzle with a simple powdered-sugar glaze.
The result has a cinnamon-roll-inspired flavor.
Apple Pie Dump Cake
For an extra apple-pie flavor, add:
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Pinch of allspice
Serve warm with whipped cream.
Pumpkin Apple Dump Cake
For a fall mash-up, combine:
- Apple pie filling
- Pumpkin puree
- Pumpkin pie spice
Then top with cake mix and butter.
This produces a rich Thanksgiving-style dessert.
Apple Peach Dump Cake
Use:
- 1 can apple pie filling
- 1 can peach pie filling
The apples add spice-friendly flavor while the peaches add sweetness and extra juice.
Apple Cherry Dump Cake
Combine apple filling with:
1 can cherry pie filling.
The tart cherry flavor pairs surprisingly well with cinnamon apples.
Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake With Fresh Apples
For a less sweet version, prepare fresh apples instead of canned filling.
Toss sliced apples with:
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Lemon juice
- Cornstarch
- Vanilla
Then top with cake mix and butter.
Fresh apples give the dessert more texture.
Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake
You can also make this in a slow cooker.
Add:
- Apple filling
- Cinnamon and vanilla
- Dry cake mix
- Butter
Cover and cook on:
HIGH for approximately 2–3 hours
or until the topping is cooked and the fruit is bubbling.
Place a clean kitchen towel underneath the lid if appropriate for your slow cooker setup to help absorb condensation, keeping the fabric safely away from the heating element.
The Crockpot version will generally have a softer topping than the oven version.
Small-Batch Apple Dump Cake
Use an:
8×8-inch baking dish.
Use approximately:
- 1 can apple pie filling
- ½ box cake mix
- 6 tablespoons butter
Bake until bubbly and golden.
This is useful when you don’t need a full 9×13-inch dessert.
Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake for Thanksgiving
This is an excellent Thanksgiving dessert because it requires very little active preparation.
You can serve it alongside:
- Pumpkin pie
- Pecan pie
- Cheesecake
It also gives guests who prefer apples an easy alternative to traditional pie.
Christmas Apple Dump Cake
For Christmas, add:
- Cranberries
- Pecans
- Extra cinnamon
Serve warm with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
The combination feels festive without requiring complicated decorating.
Fall Potluck Apple Dump Cake
Dump cake is particularly useful for potlucks because you can bake and serve it from the same casserole dish.
Bring:
- Whipped topping
- Caramel sauce
separately and let guests add their own toppings.
What to Serve With Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake
Vanilla Ice Cream
The classic choice.
Cold ice cream melting over warm cinnamon apples is hard to beat.
Whipped Cream
Lighter than ice cream and easy for parties.
Caramel Sauce
Makes it taste like caramel apple cobbler.
Chopped Pecans
Adds crunch.
Cinnamon
A small sprinkle makes the apple flavor even cozier.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can prepare the apple layer ahead.
Spread the filling into the baking dish with:
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla
Cover and refrigerate.
For the best topping, wait until shortly before baking to add:
- Dry cake mix
- Butter
Otherwise the cake mix can begin absorbing moisture and lose some of its crisp texture.
How to Store Apple Dump Cake
Allow leftovers to cool.
Cover the baking dish or transfer portions to airtight containers.
Refrigerate for approximately:
3–4 days.
Because of the moist fruit filling, refrigeration is the better choice for longer storage.
How to Reheat
Oven
Reheat at:
325–350°F
until warm.
The oven gives you the best chance of restoring some crispness to the topping.
Air Fryer
Individual portions can be reheated in an oven-safe dish at moderate heat.
Microwave
Microwave individual portions briefly until warm.
The topping will become softer but the dessert still tastes great.
Can You Freeze Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake?
Yes.
Bake the dessert first.
Cool completely.
Transfer to a freezer-safe container.
Freeze in individual portions or as a larger batch.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat in the oven for the best topping texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I prepare the cake mix first?
No. Use the cake mix dry.
Do I stir the cake mix into the apples?
No. Keep the layers separate.
Can I use white cake mix?
Yes.
Can I use spice cake mix?
Absolutely. It’s particularly good for fall.
Can I use fresh apples?
Yes.
Can I add caramel?
Definitely.
Can I add nuts?
Yes. Pecans and walnuts are both excellent.
Why is there dry cake mix on top?
The butter may not have covered that area sufficiently. Spread the cake mix evenly and distribute butter across the whole surface.
Why is my dump cake soggy?
It may need additional baking time, or the topping may contain too much concentrated butter in one area.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, but add the cake mix and butter shortly before baking for the best texture.
Can I freeze it?
Yes.
Easy Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 45–55 minutes
Servings: 10–12
Ingredients
- 2 cans apple pie filling, about 20–21 ounces each
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup chopped pecans, optional
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread apple pie filling evenly in the dish.
- Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.
- Stir only the fruit layer.
- Sprinkle dry yellow cake mix evenly over the apples.
- Do not stir.
- Sprinkle optional pecans over the cake mix.
- Slowly drizzle melted butter over the entire surface.
- Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes.
- Remove when the fruit is bubbling and topping is golden brown.
- Rest for 10–15 minutes.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Delicious Variations
Caramel Apple Dump Cake: Add caramel sauce.
Salted Caramel Apple Dump Cake: Add caramel and flaky salt.
Apple Pecan Dump Cake: Add toasted pecans.
Spice Cake Apple Dump Cake: Use spice cake mix.
Apple Cheesecake Dump Cake: Add cream cheese.
Apple Cranberry Dump Cake: Add cranberries.
Apple Crisp Dump Cake: Add oats to the topping.
Fresh Apple Dump Cake: Replace canned filling with seasoned fresh apples.
Final Thoughts
Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake is one of the simplest ways to turn apple pie filling and cake mix into a warm, cozy fall dessert.
Tender cinnamon apples sit underneath a buttery golden topping that tastes somewhere between cobbler, crisp, and cake.
For the best result, spread the apples evenly, keep the cake mix dry, don’t stir the layers, distribute the butter over the entire surface, and bake until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden.