One of my favorite unexpected evenings happened during a random power outage last fall. The wind had knocked something out, and we were suddenly left with nothing but candlelight, blankets, and the hum of silence—no phones, no TV, no distractions.

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The kids were antsy at first, but then we pulled out the Uno deck and sat around the table like it was the 90s again. And of course, I had to bake something. Luckily, our gas oven still worked. I opened the pantry and spotted a can of apple pie filling, a box of yellow cake mix, and a stick of butter in the fridge. That was it—dessert was happening.

I remembered an old church cookbook recipe my mama gave me years ago. It was one of those “dump everything in a pan and hope for the best” deals. And honestly? It turned out to be one of the coziest, most comforting things I’ve made all year.

The whole kitchen filled with the smell of cinnamon apples and buttery cake. We ate it warm by candlelight, laughing over who kept skipping whom in Uno. It was nothing fancy, but it felt special—like a hug in dessert form.

Short Description

This easy apple pie dump cake uses only three pantry staples to create a warm, gooey, golden-topped dessert in under an hour. No mixing bowls needed!

Key Ingredients

1 can (21 oz) apple pie filling
1 box yellow cake mix
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Tools Needed

9×13-inch baking dish
Measuring cup (for butter)
Spoon or spatula (optional for spreading filling)
Oven mitts

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2: Layer the Apple Filling
Spread the apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. No need to grease the pan.

Step 3: Add the Cake Mix
Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the top of the apple filling. Do not stir. It should look like a dry blanket covering the fruit.

Step 4: Drizzle the Butter
Drizzle the melted butter slowly and evenly over the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the surface as possible to help everything brown and bake evenly.

Step 5: Bake the Dump Cake
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling at the edges.

Step 6: Cool Before Serving
Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This helps the texture set up just a bit and makes it easier to scoop.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ridiculously Easy: No measuring flour or cracking eggs—just dump, drizzle, and bake.

Cozy & Comforting: Warm cinnamon apple flavor with buttery cake on top—perfect for chilly evenings.

Minimal Ingredients: You probably already have everything on hand.

Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone from toddlers to grandparents will dig into this with a smile.

Quick Clean-Up: One pan, no bowls, no stress.

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Dry Patches on Top: If the butter doesn’t cover all of the cake mix, some parts may stay powdery.
Solution: Gently spread the butter with a spoon before baking, or add 1–2 extra tablespoons if needed.

Too Runny: If your filling feels too wet, it may need a few more minutes.
Solution: Bake an additional 5–10 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the top is fully golden.

Overbaking: If the top turns too brown before the filling bubbles, your oven might run hot.
Solution: Tent with foil for the last 10 minutes to prevent burning.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Scoop into bowls and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Add a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon

Great for potlucks, office parties, or Sunday dinners

Serve buffet-style with other fall treats like pumpkin bars or spiced nuts

Pair with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea for peak comfort

Storage and Reheating Tips

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat: Microwave individual portions for 30–40 seconds.

Oven Reheat: For larger portions, reheat in the oven at 325°F for 10–15 minutes to keep the top crisp.

Freezing: Not ideal, as the topping can get soggy, but you can freeze for up to 1 month in a pinch. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh apples instead of pie filling?
Yes, but you’ll need to cook them down with sugar and cinnamon until soft to match the pie filling texture.

2. Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Definitely! Spice cake or white cake mix also work beautifully.

3. What kind of butter should I use?
Unsalted is best so you can control the salt, but salted will still work if that’s what you have.

4. Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Cook on high for 2–3 hours or low for 4–5 hours, uncovered for the last 30 minutes to help crisp the top.

5. How do I know when it’s done?
The top should be golden and crisp, and you’ll see the filling bubbling at the edges.

Tips & Tricks

Warm your apple pie filling for 30 seconds in the microwave before spreading if it’s cold—it’ll spread easier.
Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cake mix for extra warmth.
Try layering in some chopped pecans or walnuts before baking for a little crunch.
For more gooey richness, dot small bits of cream cheese across the filling before adding cake mix.

Recipe Variations

Caramel Apple Version:
Drizzle 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce over the apple filling before adding the cake mix.

Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake:
Use a cinnamon swirl cake mix and top with a drizzle of powdered sugar glaze after baking.

Berry Apple Twist:
Add ½ cup of fresh or frozen raspberries or blueberries to the apple pie filling before topping.

Gluten-Free Option:
Use a gluten-free yellow cake mix. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free.

Mini Dump Cakes:
Portion into 6 ramekins and reduce baking time to about 30 minutes. Great for individual servings!

Final Thoughts

Sometimes, the simplest recipes are the ones that bring the most joy. This dump cake might not win any awards for fancy technique, but it checks all the right boxes for a busy home cook like me. It’s warm, comforting, and takes less than 10 minutes to prep—perfect for a weeknight treat, an emergency dessert when company drops in, or even a little baking moment during a power outage.

It fills the kitchen with that old-fashioned apple pie smell, without all the peeling and fuss. It’s the kind of recipe I turn to when I want something sweet but don’t want to think too hard and honestly, those are the real gems in my kitchen.

3-Ingredient Apple Pie Dump Cake