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Apple dump cake has been around almost as long as the boxed cake mix and canned pie filling. Combine the two with some pats of butter and you get a sweet casserole that is like a fruit cobbler with a crackly top.
That blunt name comes from the “no mix” instructions. The cake mix, cold butter, 2 cans of pie filling and that’s it—no fresh eggs or milk at all. Add a scoop of ice cream and it’s the easy dessert for last-minute company or to keep a few teens happy on a Friday night.
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How to Make My 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake
Step 1: Preheat and prep
Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: Start with pie filling
Pour both cans of apple pie filling into the dish and spread into an even layer, corners included.
Step 3: Dump in the cake mix
Pour the dry cake mix powder straight from the box over the filling and spread it evenly. Don’t stir it, though.
Step 4: Cover with butter
Slice a whole stick of butter into thin slices and lay them across the entire surface of the cake mix, as shown, getting as much of the cake mix covered as possible.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling bubbles up around the edges. Give it 10 minutes to cool—the filling underneath is very hot, so you’ll want to give it a bit of time before serving.
Step 6: Serve warm
Scoop it straight from the dish, plain, with whipped cream, or with vanilla ice cream.
Tools and Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Large spoon for serving
Tips for Success
- This recipe calls for a yellow cake mix, but white works. A spice cake mix would make a nice fall dessert, too.
- Let it rest 10 minutes before serving. The filling settles from molten to gooey.
- For a butter pecan twist: scatter a handful of chopped pecans over the cake mix and a dash of apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice over the butter.
- Peach, blueberry or cherry pie filling also make good substitutes for apple.
- Leftovers keep covered in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat scoops in the microwave for 20-30 seconds per serving.
The bottom line
This 3 ingredient apple dump cake is a great almost-no-effort fall dessert for a quick “oops I forgot dessert, what can I make” or “here’s something to feed the crowd fast.” It’s got a jammy apple pie filling underneath, buttery golden cake mix crust on top, and ice cream if you’re feeling fancy.
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Apple Dump Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 42 oz apple pie filling 2 cans, 21 oz each
- 15.25 oz yellow cake mix 1 box
- 1/2 c butter 1 stick, sliced thin
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease or spray a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Pour the apple pie filling into the bottom of the baking dish and spread into an even layer.
- Dump the cake mix on top, spreading it evenly; don't stir it, though.
- Cut the butter into thin slices and arrange all over the top of the cake mix. Get close to the edges as well.
- Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until golden and bubbling at the edges.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before scooping it out of the pan; the inside will be very hot. Serve as is or with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
