Apple Spice Dump Cake Recipe: A Delightfully Easy Dessert for Any Occasion

Prepare to be amazed by the ultimate fuss-free dessert: this incredibly delicious apple spice dump cake. Crafted with canned pie filling and your favorite boxed cake mix, this recipe delivers a warm, inviting cinnamon coffee cake-like treat with minimal effort. It’s the perfect solution when you need a comforting dessert in a hurry or a impressive-yet-simple dish to serve unexpected guests. Forget complicated baking; this is the epitome of effortless indulgence.

This recipe has quickly become a family favorite, earning rave reviews from my girls just the other evening! It beautifully blends the best characteristics of an apple pie filling dump cake with the comforting flavors of a cinnamon coffee cake. The result? A irresistibly gooey, perfectly spiced dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.

The Magic of Easy Dump Cake Recipes

Let’s be honest, the allure of dump cakes is undeniable. They are a baker’s best friend, typically requiring only 3 to 5 simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. This convenience makes them my go-to choice for impromptu gatherings. Just recently, company arrived unannounced with several children, and thankfully, I had everything on hand to whip up this apple spice dump cake and our equally popular pumpkin pudding cake. These recipes truly shine in a pinch!

While we adore the classic apple, the beauty of a dump cake lies in its adaptability. Once you master the basic technique, you can easily experiment with a multitude of flavor combinations. Feel free to swap out the apple pie filling for peach, cherry, or even blueberry. For those who enjoy a homemade touch, our pressure cooker apple pie filling is a fantastic option, though store-bought canned filling works perfectly for ultimate ease.

Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Apple Spice Dump Cake

Creating this delicious dump cake requires just a few essential ingredients. Each plays a crucial role in achieving that wonderfully moist and flavorful result:

1. Apple Pie Filling: This is the secret to an effortless dump cake! Canned apple pie filling provides not only a generous amount of tender fruit but also the necessary gooey liquid to hydrate the dry cake mix. It eliminates the need for peeling, slicing, and sweetening fresh apples, making your prep incredibly fast. For recipes using other canned fruits, our Peach Cobbler using Cake Mix offers an excellent guide.
2. Dry Boxed Coffee Cake Mix: The choice of cake mix is paramount here. For an authentic cinnamon coffee cake flavor, I highly recommend a boxed coffee cake mix, especially one like Krusteaz Cinnamon Swirl. These mixes often come with a separate brown sugar topping packet, which adds an extra layer of deliciousness. Avoid using a plain yellow cake mix, as it won’t yield the same rich, spiced profile. If you only have a spice cake mix on hand, it would be better suited for a recipe like our pumpkin pudding cake, which complements its distinct flavor.
3. Melted Butter: Butter is essential for creating that irresistible crisp-tender crust and for helping the dry cake mix absorb moisture evenly. For those with dietary restrictions, plant-based dairy-free butter sticks can be used as a substitute without compromising on flavor or texture.
4. Nuts (Optional): For an added layer of texture and a nutty crunch, consider incorporating 1/2 to 3/4 cup of chopped nuts. Walnuts are a classic choice that pairs beautifully with apples and cinnamon. Alternatively, for a truly decadent twist, candied pecans would elevate this dessert to an even higher level of gourmet delight.

Can You Use Fresh Apples Instead of Pie Filling to Make Apple Dump Cake?

While fresh apples are wonderful in many desserts, they are generally not recommended for this particular dump cake recipe. The key reason lies in the moisture content. Canned pie filling provides a thick, sweet glaze that is crucial for moistening the dry boxed cake mix as it bakes. Fresh apples simply don’t release enough liquid on their own to achieve the desired gooey, cake-like texture, which would result in a dry and unappealing dessert.

If you prefer to bake with fresh apples, a traditional Apple Cake with Cake Mix recipe would be a better fit, as it specifically calls for additional liquids in the batter to ensure the apples cook down and the cake remains tender and moist. For this apple spice dump cake, stick to canned pie filling for guaranteed success.

To prepare your dump cake, you’ll need a 9×13-inch casserole dish, lightly coated with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Once baked, this dessert is incredibly versatile. It’s fantastic served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped topping, or a generous swirl of fresh whipped cream. For an even simpler dessert, you can omit the nuts and additional toppings to make a delicious 3-ingredient dump cake. Don’t hesitate to get creative by mixing and matching different cake mix flavors with various pie fillings to discover your ultimate favorite combination!

Expert Tips for a Perfect Apple Spice Dump Cake

The beauty of a dump cake lies in its sheer simplicity. Unlike traditional baking, where mixing bowls and multiple steps are common, this dessert requires virtually no mixing. You simply sprinkle, layer, and bake! You’ll witness the magic unfold as the layers meld together in your 13×9-inch baking pan. I prefer using a glass dish, but a sprayed aluminum baking pan works just as well. The oven does all the work, ensuring all the flavors bake together beautifully.

Don’t be alarmed if you notice a little bit of unabsorbed dry cake mix powder on top after baking. This is perfectly normal for dump cakes and will become unnoticeable once served. We see the same phenomenon occasionally with our Instant Pot dump cake recipes too.

For best results, ensure you follow the layering instructions carefully (detailed in the recipe below) and bake until the center is firm to the touch and the top is golden brown. Serve this warm, gooey dessert immediately, perhaps with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, for an unparalleled treat. These same principles apply if you’re making a blueberry pie filling dump cake or any other fruit variety. This recipe yields a generous amount, easily serving 8 to 12 people, making it an ideal candidate for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or any occasion where you need to feed a crowd.

How to Know When Your Dump Cake is Perfectly Done

Determining when a dump cake is fully baked is quite straightforward. The center should no longer appear wet, and a simple toothpick test is your best indicator. When inserted into the middle, the toothpick should come out with moist fruit and tender crumbs of cake attached, but no raw, unbaked dough. If you see raw batter, simply return the cake to the oven for an additional 5 minutes and test again. This budget-friendly dessert is perfect for feeding a crowd without breaking the bank. Once you’ve enjoyed this delightful creation, be sure to explore more of our easy dessert recipes!

Dump Cake with Apple Pie Filling Recipe

5 from 6 votes

Apple Spice Dump Cake Recipe

By Justine

This apple spice dump cake is easy to throw together and creates a warm cinnamon coffee cake like dessert in no time at all. An easy Fall treat you’ll love.

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 50 mins

Total: 1 hr

Servings: 12

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Equipment

• 1 9×13 pan

Ingredients

• 1 box coffee cake mix, 21 oz., I used Krusteaz
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 can pie filling, apple, 21 oz
• 1/2-3/4 cup walnuts, chopped, optional

Instructions

1. Spray a 13×9 baking pan.
2. Pour apple pie filling on the bottom and spread out evenly.
3. Remove the brown sugar packet from the coffee cake mix box and set it aside. Sprinkle the coffee cake mix portion of your cinnamon swirl cake mix evenly over the apple pie filling.
4. Melt your butter and pour it evenly over the cake mix layer.
5. Then open the brown sugar packet from your cake mix box and sprinkle that evenly on top.
6. Sprinkle chopped nuts on top if desired. Place the pan into an oven preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
7. Bake until golden brown on top and the middle is starting to firm up, approximately 50 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 3oz,
Calories: 337kcal,
Carbohydrates: 45g,
Protein: 2g,
Fat: 16g,
Saturated Fat: 6g,
Cholesterol: 20mg,
Sodium: 373mg,
Potassium: 190mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 27g,
Vitamin A: 250IU,
Vitamin C: 0.9mg,
Calcium: 50mg,
Iron: 2.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

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Other Irresistibly Easy Treats You’ll Love

Much like our beloved Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole, this apple spice dump cake falls into the “semi-homemade” category. This means you get all the delightful flavors and textures of a dessert made from scratch, but with significantly less effort and time, thanks to pre-made main ingredients. It’s a fantastic way to impress without the stress!

Looking for an even faster option, or prefer to avoid turning on your oven? You’re in luck! This versatile recipe can be adapted for your slow cooker. Check out our comforting Crockpot Apple Dump Cake recipe for a hands-off approach that yields equally delicious results.

Storing and Refrigerating Dump Cakes

One of the great things about dump cakes is their flexibility when it comes to serving. They are wonderful served warm straight from the oven, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, allowing the warm, gooey fruit and tender cake to shine. However, a dump cake can also be enjoyed chilled, offering a slightly different, denser texture that some find equally appealing. It truly comes down to personal preference.

For any leftover dump cake, proper storage is essential to maintain its freshness and quality. It can definitely be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Just like our incredible Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake, it’s best not to leave it out at room temperature for extended periods. The texture can become unappetizing, and there’s an increased risk of spoilage. Simply transfer any leftovers to an airtight container, or tightly cover the baking pan with foil before refrigerating.

How to Reheat Dump Cake for That Freshly Baked Taste

Reheating your leftover dump cake is simple, allowing you to enjoy that comforting, freshly baked taste all over again. If you have individual portions, the quickest method is to microwave them on a plate for about 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through. For a larger portion, such as an entire peach dump cake, it’s best to reheat it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until it’s warmed throughout. Once reheated, serve it with a fresh dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream, and it will taste as good as new! We’d love to hear your thoughts and if you’ve added any special extras to your apple spice dump cake!