If you crave a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert with almost zero effort, this 3 Ingredient Apple Dump Cake is your weeknight hero. No mixers, no bowls, just three pantry staples layered in a pan and baked until golden and bubbling. Your kitchen will smell like apple pie and buttered cake in under an hour.
I have baked this for everything from last-minute potlucks to Sunday suppers. It always disappears fast, and no one guesses how simple it really is.
3 Ingredient Apple Dump Cake
Equipment
- 1 9×13 inch baking dish
- 1 Parchment Paper (optional)
Ingredients
Dump Cake
- 2 can apple pie filling 21 oz each
- 1 box yellow cake mix 15.25 oz
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted or very thinly sliced; 1 stick
Instructions
Prep the oven and pan
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. For easy serving, line with parchment, leaving a small overhang.
Layer the apples
- Spread the apple pie filling evenly in the pan. If the apples are in large slices, chop them a bit so they layer evenly. Smooth the surface with a spatula.
Add the dry cake mix
- Sprinkle the entire box of dry cake mix evenly over the apples, corner to corner. Do not stir. Gently tap the pan to settle the mix into an even layer.
Top with butter
- Pour melted butter evenly over the dry mix or cover the top with very thin slices of butter, overlapping slightly to minimize dry spots.
Bake until golden
- Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is deeply golden and the apple filling is bubbling at the edges. Rotate the pan halfway for even browning.
Rest and serve
- Let the cake rest 10 to 15 minutes so the juices thicken. Serve warm straight from the pan with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This 3 Ingredient Apple Dump Cake
- Only 3 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep.
- Warm, gooey apples under a crisp, buttery topping.
- Dependable results with store-bought or homemade apple filling.
- Budget-friendly dessert that feeds a crowd.
- Easy to customize with spices, nuts, or caramel.
3 Ingredient Apple Dump Cake Ingredients & Substitutions
- Apple pie filling: 2 cans (21 oz each). Homemade works too, about 4 cups cooked spiced apples.
- Yellow cake mix: 1 box (15.25 oz). Substitute spice cake mix for extra fall flavor, white cake mix for lighter vanilla, or a gluten-free yellow cake mix for a GF option.
- Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113 g), melted or very thinly sliced. Dairy-free baking sticks or plant-based butter work well.
Optional but tasty add-ins: a pinch of cinnamon, chopped pecans, or caramel sauce. These make it more than 3 ingredients, so add only if you like.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make 3 Ingredient Apple Dump Cake
Prep the oven and pan
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. For easy serving, line with parchment, leaving a small overhang.
Layer the apples
Spread the apple pie filling evenly in the pan. If the apples are in large slices, chop them a bit so they layer evenly. Smooth the surface with a spatula.
Add the dry cake mix
Sprinkle the entire box of dry cake mix evenly over the apples, corner to corner. Do not stir. Gently tap the pan to settle the mix into an even layer.
Top with butter
Pour melted butter evenly over the dry mix or cover the top with very thin slices of butter, overlapping slightly to minimize dry spots.
Bake until golden
Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is deeply golden and the apple filling is bubbling at the edges. Rotate the pan halfway for even browning.
Rest and serve
Let the cake rest 10 to 15 minutes so the juices thicken. Serve warm straight from the pan with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Tips for Success
- Cover the surface: Aim for even butter coverage to hydrate the cake mix and prevent dry patches.
- Use the right pan: A 9×13-inch dish gives the best ratio of gooey filling to crisp topping.
- Check doneness by color: You want a deep golden top with bubbling edges.
- Let it rest: A short rest sets the juices and makes neater servings.
- Gluten-free swap: A GF yellow cake mix works well. Check baking time at 35 minutes and add a few minutes if needed.
Variations of 3 Ingredient Apple Dump Cake
- Spiced Apple: Use a spice cake mix for instant cinnamon-clove warmth.
- Caramel Apple: Drizzle 2 to 3 tablespoons caramel sauce over the apples before adding cake mix.
- Nutty Crunch: Scatter 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts over the cake mix before the butter.
- Apple Crisp Twist: Sprinkle 1/3 cup old-fashioned oats and 2 tablespoons brown sugar over the dry mix for extra texture.
- Maple Kissed: Add 1 tablespoon maple syrup to the apples for a cozy note.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with 3 Ingredient Apple Dump Cake
- A big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or cinnamon ice cream.
- Lightly sweetened whipped cream with a pinch of cinnamon.
- Warm caramel sauce and toasted pecans.
- Sharp cheddar on the side for a classic apple-cheddar combo.
- Fresh coffee or hot apple cider for a cozy finish.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Fridge: Cover and refrigerate up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, or reheat the pan at 325°F for 10 to 15 minutes until bubbly.
- Crisp it up: If the top softens, reheat uncovered in the oven so it crisps again.
Memories Made Around the Table
On chilly evenings, my kiddo loves to help scatter the cake mix like fairy dust. We peek through the oven door and watch the top turn golden while the house fills with the smell of buttery apples. It is humble, happy baking at its best.
FAQs
Can I use fresh apples instead of pie filling?
Yes. Toss 4 cups thinly sliced apples with about 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Cook briefly until just tender, then proceed as written.
Which cake mix works best?
Yellow cake mix gives a classic buttery flavor. Spice cake adds warmth. White cake is lighter. I have tested all three, and a gluten-free yellow mix also works well.
How do I prevent dry flour patches on top?
Distribute butter evenly. If using sliced butter, overlap slices so most of the surface is covered. If a small dry spot remains at 30 minutes, drizzle a teaspoon or two of melted butter and finish baking.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes. Spray a 6-quart slow cooker, add apples, sprinkle cake mix, top with butter. Cook on High for 2.5 to 3.5 hours with a clean tea towel under the lid to catch condensation.
Can I make it ahead?
Bake, cool, and refrigerate. Reheat at 325°F for 10 to 15 minutes. For the crispiest top, bake just before serving.
Final Thoughts
This 3 Ingredient Apple Dump Cake is proof that simple can be spectacular. Keep the three staples on hand and you are always 1 hour from a warm, shareable dessert. If you try it, leave a comment and tell me how you served yours.