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Apple Dump Cake

Apple Dump Cake

Easy Apple Dump Cake made with sweet apple pie filling, buttery cake mix, warm cinnamon, and optional pecans. This simple dump-and-bake dessert is perfect for fall, Thanksgiving, family dinners, and potlucks.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cans apple pie filling
  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • 1 pint vanilla ice cream

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish to prevent the apple filling from sticking.
  • Add the Apple Filling: Spread 2 cans of apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula or spoon to create an even layer.
  • Add the Cake Mix: Sprinkle 1 box of yellow cake mix evenly over the apple pie filling. Do not stir the cake mix into the apples; keep the layers separate.
  • Add the Butter: Slice 1 cup of unsalted butter into thin pieces and arrange them evenly over the entire surface of the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the cake mix as possible.
  • Add Cinnamon and Pecans: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/2 cup of chopped pecans evenly over the top. The pecans are optional but add a delicious nutty crunch.
  • Bake the Apple Dump Cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
  • Cool Slightly and Serve; Remove the Apple Dump Cake from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream if desired. For an extra indulgent finish, drizzle with caramel sauce.

Notes

 
  • For the best topping: Distribute the butter pieces as evenly as possible over the dry cake mix so the topping browns properly.
  • Don't mix the layers: The signature texture of dump cake comes from keeping the apple filling and cake mix in separate layers.
  • Cake mix options: Yellow cake mix works well, while spice cake mix gives the dessert an especially cozy fall flavor.
  • Optional pecans: Add chopped pecans if you enjoy a little crunch. They pair particularly well with the apples and cinnamon.
  • Serving: For the classic dessert experience, serve the cake warm with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. For longer storage, freeze well-covered portions for up to 2–3 months.
  • Reheating: Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm larger portions in the oven. Oven reheating helps restore some of the topping's crispness.
 

Nutrition Facts

 
  • Calories: 365 kcal
  • Total Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 41 mg
  • Sodium: 430 mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2 g
  • Total Sugars: 31 g
  • Protein: 2 g
 
Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary depending on the brands of apple pie filling, cake mix, and butter used. These values do not include the optional vanilla ice cream.