The first time I made this 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake was on a chilly October afternoon, right before guests were due for a last-minute potluck. I had no plan, no backup dessert, just three pantry staples—and somehow, that turned into a golden, bubbling, cinnamon-scented miracle that disappeared before dinner even hit the table.
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Why You’ll Love This 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake
This 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake is everything you want in a no-fuss dessert. It’s quick to throw together, bakes up beautifully golden, and fills your kitchen with the coziest fall aroma. You don’t need fancy skills or equipment—just a baking dish, a spoon, and a craving for warm, spiced comfort. It’s perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, or even weeknights when you want something sweet without a mess.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the short, sweet lineup for your easy apple dump cake:
- 1 (28-ounce) can of apple pie filling
- 1 (18-ounce) box of yellow cake mix
- 10–12 tablespoons of salted butter, sliced thin
Optional for extra warmth and crunch:
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
To serve:
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
- Caramel sauce (optional but dreamy)
Optional Toppings
A few extras can really take this dessert over the top:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream (melts beautifully into every bite)
- Whipped cream with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg
- Drizzle of salted caramel sauce
- A sprinkle of chopped or candied nuts for crunch
How to Make a 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake (Step-by-Step)
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the apple pie filling into a 9×9-inch baking dish. For a thinner version, use a 9×13-inch pan.
- In a small bowl, stir together the cake mix, brown sugar, and cinnamon. This adds flavor depth and makes it extra cozy.
- Evenly sprinkle the dry mix over the apple filling. Try not to stir—it’s meant to stay layered.
- Top with butter slices, placing them across the entire surface. Don’t leave dry spots.
- Sprinkle pecans, if using. They toast beautifully during baking.
- Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly at the edges.
- Let it cool for 5–10 minutes. Then, serve this warm 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake with your favorite toppings.
Baking Tips for Best Results
- Butter distribution matters. Make sure it’s sliced thin and spread evenly so every spot gets golden and crisp.
- No slicing? You can melt the butter and drizzle it instead. Just make sure to coat the top fully.
- Dry patches? Add a few more pats of butter and return the pan to the oven briefly.
- Use a 9×13 pan if you want a thinner, crisper top layer—perfect for crowds.
- Try spice cake mix for a deeper, autumn flavor. It’s especially great with fresh apple versions.
Variations You Can Try
This dessert is wonderfully flexible. Here are a few spins:
- Fresh Apple Version: Peel, core, and cube 3 apples. Mix with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and use in place of the canned filling.
- Slow Cooker Method: Layer filling, cake mix, and butter in your crockpot. Cook on low for 3–4 hours or high for 2–3 hours.
- Camping? Use a Dutch oven lined with foil. Layer ingredients, cover, and bake over coals for about 30 minutes.
Storage and Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers:
- Cool completely, then cover the dish or transfer to an airtight container.
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave for 30–60 seconds, or warm in the oven at 300°F for 10–15 minutes.
- This cake doesn’t freeze well due to the topping, but it’s so quick you won’t need to.
FAQs
What is the biggest mistake to avoid when making a dump cake?
The biggest mistake is uneven butter distribution. Dry spots in the cake mix won’t bake properly, so slice or melt the butter and make sure it covers everything.
How to make an easy 3 ingredient cake?
For this version, just layer canned apple pie filling, dry yellow cake mix, and butter in a pan. Bake until golden, bubbly, and delicious. That’s it!
How do you make a 2 ingredient apple spice cake?
You can mix 1 box of spice cake mix with a 15-ounce can of apple pie filling, then bake at 350°F for about 30–35 minutes. It’s soft, moist, and comes together fast.
What is an apple dump cake?
It’s a quick dessert made by layering fruit filling and dry cake mix, then “dumping” butter on top. It bakes into a warm, crisp-topped, gooey-bottomed treat.
Easy Apple Dump Cake Recipe (3-Ingredient)
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3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake – Easy, Warm & Delicious
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 9 servings
Description
Warm, sweet, and ready in under an hour, this 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake is the easiest fall dessert you’ll ever make.
Ingredients
1 (28-ounce) can apple pie filling
1 (18-ounce) box yellow cake mix
10–12 tablespoons salted butter, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons light brown sugar (optional)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving
Caramel sauce (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Spread apple pie filling in the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking dish (or 9×13 for thinner result).
3. In a bowl, mix together cake mix, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
4. Sprinkle cake mix mixture evenly over the apple pie filling.
5. Layer thin slices of butter evenly across the top of the cake mix.
6. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top, if using.
7. Bake for 35–45 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
8. Let cool for 5–10 minutes before serving warm with ice cream or whipped cream and caramel sauce.
Notes
• You can use melted butter instead of slices — just drizzle it evenly over the cake mix.
• If any dry cake mix remains after baking, add a little melted butter and return to the oven briefly.
• Try spice cake mix for a deeper fall flavor.
• Fresh apple variation: Mix 3 peeled, cubed apples with 2 tbsp brown sugar and use instead of canned filling.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 416mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
More Such Recipes
If you love this, don’t miss these cozy fall desserts:
- Healthy small batch apple crumble bars
- Easy apple pie oatmeal cookies
- Easy Italian apple cake (Torta di Mele)
- Caramel apple cheesecake bars
You can also save more fall ideas on Pinterest or follow along on Facebook for daily baking inspiration.
Final Thoughts
This 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake is one of those rare desserts that feels like a little gift to yourself. It’s warm, welcoming, and just sweet enough to make any meal feel special. Don’t be afraid to make it your own—try fresh apples, spice cake, or go wild with the toppings. However you serve it, you’ll come back for seconds.