Apple Dump Cake Recipe

When fall rolls around, there's no doubt that apple season is in full force. People flock to the apple orchards for a family adventure, and most of the time, they end up with a massive bucket of apples that they need to utilize. Sure, you can enjoy apples plain or dip them in caramel, but why not use apples for a simple dessert instead? This apple dump cake is far easier than apple pie and requires just a handful of ingredients to make. With just little prep time, this recipe is pretty much a no-brainer to fix up for the apple lover in all of us.

Recipe developer Melissa Olivieri created this great dessert to serve a crowd. "This is probably the easiest dessert you can make with all the flavors of fall! A great dessert you have on hand for the upcoming holidays," Olivieri shares. "The fact that it is so quick and easy to make — it is amazing for last minute guests," Olivieri says." So, what makes it so easy to make? Well, you won't be making the cake part from scratch — instead, you'll use a box cake mix, which is ready to take on those warm fall flavors. "The addition of the apple pie spice gives it a nice fall flavor I love," Olivieri says.

To start the prep work, set your oven to 375 F and take out a 9x13-inch baking dish. Lightly grease it and then set to the side.

Then, grab a medium-sized bowl and add the chopped apples and lemon juice. Stir well to coat the apples in lemon juice. Then, add the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Now, it's time for the box of vanilla cake mix. Open it up and add it to the top of the apples, and mix once again to combine. Then, pour the melted butter over the dish and shake to distribute evenly. If you find clumps of cake, simply use a wooden spoon to break them apart.

Are you ready to dig in? Believe it or not, the prep work and baking are done, and it's already time to enjoy this fall-inspired dessert. Serve on a plate or in a dish with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Olivieri also shares a few other serving suggestions to jazz up this dish. "We enjoyed it with whipped cream at our Thanksgiving dinner and it was so nice," she shares. "Sometimes you want that little bit of creamy vanilla but don't want the heaviness of ice cream!" 

If you have a little left, save it for a rainy day. "Put it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge," Olivieri says. "I would say no longer than 3 days, but honestly the leftovers won't even last that long."