Apple Dump Cake is an easy dessert that combines gooey cinnamon apples with a buttery crunchy topping. Made totally from scratch using fresh apples and a homemade cake mix, this recipe is a more nutritious take on a classic favorite. Enjoy it warm topped with some ice cream or milk for an irresistible treat that is sure to be a crowd pleaser!
It’s apple season again and that means we get to enjoy making all of our most loved apple desserts! And in my opinion, that is one of the best things about Fall.
This apple dump cake is my current favorite. It’s easy to make, uses simple ingredients and is so delicious.
There is something about the warm, gooey cinnamon apples combined with the crunchy buttery topping that just makes it quite addictive!
What is a Dump Cake?
Dump cakes are similar to a fruit cobbler, but they are typically made by dumping fruit or pie filling into a baking dish, topping it with dry cake mix and butter, and then baking it.
Obviously, this creates a super quick and easy dessert! And as a result, dump cakes have become quite popular.
Why Make Apple Dump Cake from Scratch?
Even though I definitely am a fan of quick and easy, I still prefer to make my dump cakes from scratch by using fresh apples and a homemade cake mix.
- It’s cheaper. Store-bought cake mix and pie filling cost more than making your own cake mix topping and buying fresh apples.
- It’s healthier. Both cake mix and bought pie filling typically have lots of sugar in them, not to mention food additives and preservatives. Making your dump cake from scratch allows you to control the amount of sugar that goes into the dessert and avoid odd ingredients.
- It’s convenient. You probably don’t always have a cake mix on hand. But you most likely will have the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt that it takes to make your own homemade cake mix topping!
- It tastes better. I personally think this from scratch dump cake tastes better too, so that’s also a win!
Yes, it takes just a tad longer, but I promise you, it’s still very easy!
Watch Video: Learn How to Make This Recipe
Apple Dump Cake Recipe Ingredients
- Apples
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Flour
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Butter
How to Make Apple Dump Cake from Scratch
STEP ONE: Combine cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar and vanilla; add to apples and mix well. Spread into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
STEP TWO: Using the same bowl, make the dump cake topping by combining the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Pour over top of the apple mixture and spread it out evenly.
STEP THREE: Pour melted butter all over the top of the cake.
STEP FOUR: Bake at 350º for 45 to 50 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.
ENJOY! You can eat the apple dump cake warm or cold. It’s delicious as is, but is extra amazing topped with milk, ice cream, or Cool Whip (this homemade version is easy and so good!).
Expert Tips and Suggestions:
- Best Apples: Almost any apple will work in this recipe, but less tart baking apples are going to give you the best flavor and texture. Honey Crisp, Gala and Cortland are some of my favorites.
- Spread the Topping: Make sure that you spread the topping evenly over the apple mixture before you pour the melted butter onto the cake. Also, try to get the butter over as much of the surface of the cake as possible. This will help the topping get nice and crunchy.
- Add Pecans: Some people like to add ½ to ¾ cup of chopped pecan to the top the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Subbing Apple Pie Filling: For convenience, instead of the apple mixture you can use 2 cans of apple pie filling. This won’t be as healthy, but it is handy if you are in a pinch and want a speedier dessert.
- Caramel Apple Dump Cake: When ready to serve, drizzle caramel syrup over the top for a fun variation.
- Ice Cream: If you serve this with ice cream, vanilla is our favorite. But butter pecan or a caramel flavored ice cream pair nicely too.
- How to Store: If you have leftovers, you can keep them at room temperature for 1 to 2 days. After that, you’ll need to refrigerate the Apple Dump Cake. You can easily reheat any leftovers if you prefer to eat it warm.
- Freezing: This recipe won’t freeze well because the topping will get soggy. But I have had good success freezing the apple mixture. Just combine the ingredients, put them into a gallon freezer bag and lay flat to freeze. When you are ready to use, dump the apple mixture out into your baking dish (no need to thaw!), spread it out as evenly as you can (should be easy to break pieces apart) and then add your topping and bake as usual.
Other Dessert Recipes You’ll Love:
Apple Dump Cake Recipe- made from scratch!
Ingredients
Apple Mixture
- 5 cups apples, peeled and cut into 1 in. pieces
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 2 tsp. vanilla
Topping
- 2 1/3 cups flour
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1 tbsp. baking powder
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 3/4 to 1 cup butter, melted (see Notes below)
Instructions
- Combine cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar and vanilla; add to apples and mix well. Spread into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Using the same bowl, make the topping by combining the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Pour over top of the apple mixture and spread it out evenly.
- Pour melted butter all over the top of the cake. Tilt the pan if necessary to get the butter to cover as much of the surface of the cake as possible.
- Bake at 350° for 45 to 50 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.
- Eat warm or cold as is or serve with milk, whipped cream or ice cream.
Notes
- Drizzle caramel syrup over the top when ready to serve for a Caramel Apple Dump Cake.
- You can top the cake with ½ to ¾ c. chopped pecans. I would wait to add them until the last 10 minutes of baking to keep them from getting burnt.
Ted
WAY TOO SWEET for me. Especially if you use anything bit granny smiths. I am to half the sugar next time. OTHERWISE EASY QUICK tasty dish!
Lydia Beiler
It’s always a bit tricky with desserts because some of us like them really sweet and some of us prefer them much less so. The great thing about this recipe is exactly what you said…you can cut the sugar back to work for your preference. Glad that you liked it overall though, Ted, and I hope that the adjustment to the amount of sugar will make it perfection for you!
Aline Le Breton Cormier
Can you freeze this once it is cooked?
Lydia Beiler
I’ve never tried it. I think it would probably work, although the topping will not stay crunchy. But I think it would still be good!
Nicole Willard
I really liked the base of this recipe. I tweaked it by adding almost double the cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar for half of white. I also made in the Crock-Pot. It came out perfectly after four hours
Lydia Beiler
I love lots of seasoning so that sounds delicious. And great to know that making it the Crockpot is an option! Never thought to try that.
Mary
Made this cake today and it is so easy and delicious! I used gluten free flour and my non gluten free family LOVED it too!
Lydia Beiler
Delighted to hear this, Mary! And good to know that the gluten free flour worked well too.
Charmaine Nymann
I was going to ask if this could be made with gf flour – glad it worked because it sounds delish! May I ask which gf flour you used? Thanks!