How to Make the Perfect 3 Ingredient Apple Dump Cake
American · Easy · 50 min · 12 servings
This effortless 3 ingredient apple dump cake combines canned apple pie filling, yellow cake mix, and butter into a bubbling, golden dessert. Simply dump, dot with butter, and bake for a crowd-pleasing treat that tastes like it took hours.
Why this recipe works
This 3 Ingredient Apple Dump Cake recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 50 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 280 calories with 2g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 4 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 cans apple pie filling
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter sliced into pats
- 0 cooking spray
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Layer the Filling and Cake Mix
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and lightly coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pour both cans of apple pie filling into the dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the top of the apple filling without stirring.
Step 2: Add Butter and Bake
Lay the butter pats evenly across the entire surface of the dry cake mix, making sure to cover as much of the mix as possible so it bakes through without dry spots. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
Step 3: Cool and Serve
Remove the dump cake from the oven and let it cool for at least 10 minutes before serving so the filling thickens slightly. Scoop into bowls and serve warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- yellow cake mix → spice cake mix for a warmer cinnamon flavor
- apple pie filling → cherry or peach pie filling for a different fruit twist
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not covering the cake mix fully with butter, leaving dry powdery patches on top after baking
- Stirring the layers together instead of leaving them separate, which changes the dumped texture
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 280 calories, 2g protein, 42g carbs, 12g fat, 1g fiber.
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