Apple Dump Cake Recipe

After a long week of juggling work, school runs, and everything in between, the thought of baking usually sends me running for the nearest takeout menu. But last Sunday, with a fridge full of apples and a craving for something comforting, I stumbled upon the Apple Dump Cake recipe. Honestly, “dump cake” didn’t sound particularly gourmet, but the promise of simplicity was too alluring to resist. And let me tell you, this recipe is a game-changer! It’s ridiculously easy – practically foolproof – and the result is a warm, gooey, apple-cinnamon dream that had my whole family begging for seconds. Even my pickiest eater, who usually turns his nose up at fruit desserts, devoured a slice with gusto. The combination of the tender, spiced apples, the buttery cake topping, and the slight crispness around the edges is just pure comfort food perfection. If you’re looking for a dessert that’s quick, incredibly delicious, and requires minimal effort, look no further. This Apple Dump Cake is about to become your new go-to sweet treat.

Ingredients for Apple Dump Cake

• Canned Apple Pie Filling (2 cans, 21 oz each): The heart of our dessert, providing a sweet and spiced apple base. Opt for a quality brand for the best flavor and texture.
• Yellow Cake Mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): The magic ingredient that creates the effortless, crumbly topping. A standard yellow cake mix works perfectly, but you can experiment with other flavors like spice cake for a twist.
• Unsalted Butter (1 ½ sticks, 12 tablespoons): Melted and poured over the cake mix, butter is crucial for that rich, golden, and slightly crispy topping that makes dump cake so irresistible.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Enhances the apple flavor and adds a warm, comforting spice note. Feel free to adjust to your preference, or add a pinch of nutmeg or apple pie spice for extra depth.
• Optional: Chopped Nuts (½ cup, pecans or walnuts): For added texture and nutty flavor. Pecans or walnuts complement apples beautifully, but you can omit them if you have allergies or prefer a nut-free dessert.

Instructions for Making Apple Dump Cake

1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Your Baking Dish: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. This prevents the cake from sticking and ensures easy removal later. You can use cooking spray or a bit of butter to grease the dish.
2. Layer the Apple Pie Filling: Pour both cans of apple pie filling into the prepared baking dish. Spread the filling evenly across the bottom of the dish. This forms the moist and flavorful base of your dump cake. If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can gently break up any large pieces of apple in the filling.
3. Sprinkle the Cake Mix Evenly: Open the box of yellow cake mix and sprinkle it dry and evenly over the apple pie filling. Do not mix or stir. Ensure the cake mix covers the apple pie filling completely, creating a uniform layer. This dry cake mix will bake into a delicious topping as the butter melts through it.
4. Add Cinnamon and Optional Nuts: Sprinkle the ground cinnamon evenly over the dry cake mix. If you are using nuts, sprinkle the chopped pecans or walnuts (or your nut of choice) over the cinnamon and cake mix. These additions will infuse the topping with flavor and texture as it bakes.
5. Melt the Butter and Drizzle Over the Cake Mix: Melt the unsalted butter completely. You can do this in the microwave or on the stovetop. Once melted, slowly and evenly drizzle the melted butter over the dry cake mix. Try to distribute the butter as evenly as possible to ensure the cake mix bakes properly and becomes golden brown and crispy. The butter will seep down through the cake mix and react with the apple pie filling during baking.
6. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. The edges should be nicely browned, and you should see the apple pie filling bubbling up around the sides. A toothpick inserted into the center might still come out slightly moist due to the apple filling, but the cake topping should be set and cooked through.
7. Cool Slightly and Serve Warm: Once baked, remove the Apple Dump Cake from the oven and let it cool slightly for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the cake to set up a bit and makes it easier to serve. Apple Dump Cake is best served warm, while it’s still gooey and comforting.

Nutrition Facts for Apple Dump Cake

(Per Serving – based on 12 servings, approximate values and can vary based on specific ingredients)

• Servings: 12
• Calories per Serving: Approximately 350-400 calories

Approximate Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Fat: 18-22g
• Saturated Fat: 10-12g

(Note: These nutritional values are estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used. For accurate nutritional information, please refer to the labels of your ingredients or use a nutritional calculator with the specific brands you use.)

Preparation Time for Apple Dump Cake

Total Time: Approximately 1 hour

• Prep Time: 10 minutes – This recipe is incredibly quick to prepare! Simply greasing the pan, opening cans, measuring cinnamon, and melting butter are all that’s required before baking.
• Cook Time: 45-50 minutes – Baking time is where most of the time is spent. This allows the cake to bake through, the topping to become golden brown, and the apple filling to get bubbly and warm.
• Cooling Time: 10-15 minutes – A short cooling period after baking is recommended to allow the cake to set slightly and be easier to serve warm.

The beauty of Apple Dump Cake lies in its minimal preparation time. It’s the perfect dessert for when you need something delicious and comforting without spending hours in the kitchen. From start to finish, you can have a warm, homemade dessert on the table in about an hour!

How to Serve Apple Dump Cake

Apple Dump Cake is wonderfully versatile and can be served in numerous delicious ways. Here are some popular and delightful serving suggestions:

• Classic with Vanilla Ice Cream: The quintessential pairing! A scoop of cold, creamy vanilla ice cream melting over the warm apple dump cake creates a delightful contrast in temperature and texture. The vanilla flavor complements the cinnamon and apple perfectly.
• Warm with Whipped Cream: A lighter option than ice cream, freshly whipped cream adds a cloud-like, airy sweetness to the cake. You can use store-bought whipped cream or make your own for an even richer flavor. A dusting of cinnamon on top of the whipped cream enhances the presentation and taste.
• Drizzled with Caramel Sauce: Elevate the sweetness and richness with a drizzle of warm caramel sauce. The buttery caramel notes harmonize beautifully with the apple and cinnamon flavors. Store-bought or homemade caramel sauce both work wonderfully.
• Sprinkled with Extra Cinnamon and Sugar: For a simple yet satisfying serving, sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and sugar over the warm cake. This enhances the spice notes and adds a touch of extra sweetness and slight crunch.
• With a Scoop of Greek Yogurt: For a slightly healthier option, serve with a dollop of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt. The tanginess of the yogurt cuts through the sweetness of the cake, creating a balanced flavor profile.
• Alongside a Hot Beverage: Enjoy a slice of warm Apple Dump Cake with a cup of hot coffee, tea, or spiced cider. The warmth of the drink complements the comforting dessert, making it perfect for cozy evenings.
• Topped with Chopped Nuts: If you haven’t already added nuts to the cake, you can sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds on top just before serving for added texture and nutty flavor. Toasted nuts offer an even more intense flavor.
• With a Berry Compote: For a fruity twist, serve with a warm berry compote. Raspberry, blueberry, or mixed berry compote adds a tart and vibrant element that contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the apple dump cake.

No matter how you choose to serve it, Apple Dump Cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion, from casual family dinners to holiday gatherings.

Additional Tips for the Best Apple Dump Cake

To ensure your Apple Dump Cake is absolutely perfect every time, here are some helpful tips and tricks:

1. Use Quality Apple Pie Filling: The apple pie filling is the star of the show, so choose a good quality brand that you enjoy. Look for fillings with a good balance of apples and spices, and avoid overly syrupy or artificial-tasting fillings. You can also experiment with different flavors of apple pie filling, like caramel apple or spiced apple, for variations.
2. Don’t Overmix (or Mix at All!): Resist the urge to stir or mix the ingredients. The beauty of dump cake is its simplicity. Just layer the ingredients as directed and let the oven do its magic. Mixing will disrupt the layering and can result in a less desirable texture.
3. Ensure Even Butter Distribution: Evenly drizzling the melted butter is key to a uniformly golden and crispy topping. Pour slowly and methodically, trying to cover as much of the dry cake mix as possible. If you notice any dry patches after pouring, you can gently drizzle a little more butter over those areas.
4. Adjust Cinnamon to Taste: The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, but you can adjust this to your preference. If you love cinnamon, feel free to add a bit more. You can also add other warm spices like nutmeg, ginger, or apple pie spice for a more complex flavor profile.
5. Customize with Different Cake Mixes: While yellow cake mix is classic, you can experiment with other cake mix flavors to change the taste of your dump cake. Spice cake mix enhances the cinnamon notes and adds extra warmth, while butter pecan cake mix complements nuts beautifully. White cake mix offers a milder flavor that allows the apple to shine.
6. Add a Streusel Topping for Extra Crunch: For an even crispier and more textured topping, consider adding a simple streusel topping. Mix together some flour, oats, brown sugar, and cold butter, then crumble it over the cake mix before baking. This will create a delightful crunchy layer on top of the dump cake.
7. Monitor Baking Time: Oven temperatures can vary, so keep an eye on your dump cake as it bakes. Start checking for doneness around 40 minutes. The cake is ready when the top is golden brown, the edges are bubbly, and the apple filling is heated through. Avoid overbaking, which can make the cake dry.
8. Let it Cool Slightly Before Serving: While Apple Dump Cake is best served warm, allowing it to cool for about 10-15 minutes after baking makes it easier to serve and prevents it from being too molten. This short cooling period allows the cake to set up slightly while still remaining wonderfully warm and gooey.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to baking the most delicious and foolproof Apple Dump Cake that everyone will rave about!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Apple Dump Cake

Q1: Can I make Apple Dump Cake ahead of time?

A: While Apple Dump Cake is best served warm and fresh, you can prepare it ahead of time and reheat it. Assemble the dump cake as directed, but don’t bake it. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, and then bake as instructed. Baked dump cake can also be stored at room temperature for a day or two, or in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving.

Q2: Can I use fresh apples instead of canned apple pie filling?

A: Yes, you can use fresh apples, but it requires a bit more preparation. You’ll need about 6-8 cups of peeled, cored, and sliced apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix work well). Toss the apples with sugar (about ½ cup), cinnamon (1-2 teaspoons), a squeeze of lemon juice, and a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken the juices. Layer this mixture in the baking dish instead of canned pie filling, and proceed with the rest of the recipe. Baking time might need to be slightly increased to ensure the fresh apples are tender.

Q3: Can I make Apple Dump Cake gluten-free?

A: Yes, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free by using a gluten-free yellow cake mix. Many brands offer gluten-free cake mixes that work perfectly in dump cake recipes. Double-check that your apple pie filling is also gluten-free, as some brands may contain gluten. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Q4: Can I reduce the amount of butter in this recipe?

A: While butter is crucial for the signature crispy topping of a dump cake, you can reduce it slightly if desired. Using 1 stick (8 tablespoons) of butter instead of 1 ½ sticks will still provide a decent topping, but it might be slightly less rich and crispy. Reducing it further is not recommended as it may result in a dry and less flavorful topping.

Q5: Can I add other fruits to Apple Dump Cake?

A: Absolutely! Apple Dump Cake is a versatile base for adding other fruits. Consider adding a layer of sliced peaches, berries (like blueberries or raspberries), or even a mix of apples and pears along with the apple pie filling. You can also use fruit pie filling combinations, like apple-blueberry or apple-cherry, for different flavor profiles.

Q6: What if my cake mix is clumpy when I sprinkle it?

A: If your cake mix is clumpy, gently break up the clumps with your fingers as you sprinkle it over the apple pie filling. You can also sift the cake mix before sprinkling to ensure it’s evenly distributed and free of clumps. Even distribution is important for the butter to melt through evenly and bake the topping properly.

Q7: How do I store leftover Apple Dump Cake?

A: Store leftover Apple Dump Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through before serving. It’s best to reheat individual portions as needed to maintain the texture.

Q8: Can I use a different size baking dish?

A: While a 9×13 inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe, you can use a slightly smaller or larger dish. If using an 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch dish, the cake will be thicker and may require a slightly longer baking time. If using a larger dish, like a 10×15 inch, the cake will be thinner and may bake a bit faster. Adjust baking time accordingly and keep an eye on the cake as it bakes to prevent overbrowning or underbaking.

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