Apple Dump Cake
Effortless, cozy, and irresistibly delicious—this Apple Dump Cake is the ultimate no-stress dessert.
Just layer spiced apples, cake mix, and butter, then bake until golden and bubbly.
The result? A warm, gooey treat with a buttery topping that tastes like it came from grandma’s kitchen—no mixing bowls required!
Ingredients
For the apple layer:
- 6-8 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
For the cake layer:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (18.25 oz)
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
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How To Make Apple Dump Cake
- Prep your oven and pan: Preheat to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Prepare the apples: Peel and slice apples into thin wedges (about 1/4 inch thick). Toss with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice. Spread evenly in your prepared baking dish.
- Add the cake layer: Sprinkle the dry cake mix directly over the apples – don’t mix it in. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top. Sprinkle nuts on top if using.
- Bake: Place in oven for 45-50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and serve: Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. Great with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Tips for Success
- Don’t skip the lemon juice – it prevents browning and adds brightness
- Use tart apples – they hold their shape better and balance the sweetness
- Check doneness – the top should be golden and you should see bubbling fruit juices
- Let it rest – This helps the cake layer absorb some of the apple juices
Serves 8-10
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Apple Dump Cake
Warm, spiced apples meet a golden, buttery cake topping in this easy Apple Dump Cake that comes together with minimal effort. Each scoop delivers soft baked apples under a tender, crisped cake mix crust—perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 6–8 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 box yellow cake mix (18.25 oz)
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Prep your oven and pan: Preheat to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Prepare the apples: Peel and slice apples into thin wedges (about 1/4 inch thick). Toss with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice. Spread evenly in your prepared baking dish.
- Add the cake layer: Sprinkle the dry cake mix directly over the apples – don’t mix it in. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top. Sprinkle nuts on top if using.
- Bake: Place in oven for 45-50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and serve: Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. Great with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- Don’t skip the lemon juice – it prevents browning and adds brightness
- Use tart apples – they hold their shape better and balance the sweetness
- Check doneness – the top should be golden and you should see bubbling fruit juices
- Let it rest – This helps the cake layer absorb some of the apple juices
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
