Description
Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake is one of those easy homemade desserts that delivers maximum comfort with very little effort. With sweet, tender apples, warm cinnamon, buttery cake mix, and a golden, slightly crisp topping, this simple apple dessert is perfect for fall baking, family dinners, holidays, potlucks, and cozy weekend treats.
Ingredients
For the Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake:
- 2 cans (21 ounces each) apple pie filling
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
For Serving:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
- Extra cinnamon
- Chopped pecans
- Powdered sugar, optional
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or a thin layer of butter.
Greasing the dish helps prevent the apple filling from sticking and makes serving easier.
Pour both cans of apple pie filling evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the apples into an even layer. Make sure the apple filling reaches the corners of the baking dish.
Sprinkle the ground cinnamon evenly over the apple pie filling.
For additional warmth and depth of flavor, add the optional ground nutmeg. Cinnamon and nutmeg pair beautifully with apples and give this dump cake its classic fall flavor.
If using vanilla extract, drizzle it evenly over the apple filling.
Vanilla adds a subtle sweetness and enhances the buttery cake and cinnamon flavors.
Open the yellow cake mix and sprinkle it evenly over the entire surface of the apple filling.
Do not mix the cake mix with the apples.
The dry cake mix should remain as a separate layer on top of the apples. Spread it carefully with a spoon or spatula so that most of the apple filling is covered.
If using chopped pecans or walnuts, sprinkle them evenly over the cake mix.
Pecans add a wonderful crunchy texture and make the dessert taste even more like a classic homemade apple pie.
Pour the melted butter slowly and evenly over the cake mix.
Try to cover as much of the dry cake mix as possible. The butter is what helps transform the dry cake mix into a golden, buttery topping as the dump cake bakes.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 45–55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
The center should look baked and the topping should have a golden, buttery appearance.
If you notice a few small areas of dry cake mix near the end of baking, allow the cake to bake for a few additional minutes.
For a particularly golden top, you can let it bake for another 5 minutes, watching carefully so the edges do not become too dark.
Remove the Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake from the oven and allow it to rest for about 10–15 minutes.
The apple filling will be extremely hot immediately after baking. Letting the dessert rest also gives the filling a chance to thicken slightly.
Spoon portions of the warm apple cinnamon dump cake into bowls or dessert plates.
Top each serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra-special dessert.
For additional flavor and presentation, sprinkle the finished dessert with a little cinnamon, chopped pecans, or powdered sugar.
Serve immediately while warm and gooey.
Notes
The most important part of making a dump cake is not mixing the layers together. The apple filling should remain underneath while the dry cake mix stays on top.
For the best results, distribute the melted butter as evenly as possible across the cake mix. Areas that do not receive enough butter may remain dry after baking.
If you are using canned apple pie filling, remember that different brands can vary in sweetness and thickness. If the filling is particularly sweet, you can add a small amount of lemon juice or use slightly less caramel sauce when serving.
For a crispier topping, bake the dump cake uncovered. If the top becomes too dark before the apples are bubbling, loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
Allow the cake to cool for 10–15 minutes before serving. This helps the apple filling settle while keeping the dessert warm and gooey.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45–55 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 390–450 calories
- Sodium: 400–550 mg
- Protein: 3–5 g