Apple Dump Cake (Crockpot)
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Crock Pot Apple Dump cake is an easy, delicious, holiday favorite slow cooker cake that requires nothing more than a dump and go!
With apple pie filling and cake mix, this simple dessert tastes just like an apple pie- without the work. Complementary to ice cream or its own, the pecans add a great golden brown crunch and texture. Look no further!
Why should you should make Crockpot Dump Cake
One of the things I love about slow cooker or crockpot desserts is they are a set it and forget it. You can continue to make dinner (especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays) and know that the dessert will be ready when you are. Dump cakes go way back.
I imagine they got started because of moms like me that couldn’t make a perfect cake and just threw it all together and said, “you will eat this and like it.” The thing is, no matter how pretty a recipe is, if it doesn’t taste good, it wasn’t worth it. And no matter how ugly a recipe is, if it tastes good, then who cares!
Dump cakes or dump desserts don’t always LOOK appetizing, but I have honestly never had one that I didn’t instantly love.
Ingredients
This Apple dump cake tastes just like apple pie and you will be oh so happy with each bite! Here is what you need to get started on this SO easy and BEST EVER dessert!
- Cake Mix – For this apple dump cake, I prefer using Yellow cake mix. You could almost certainly switch up your cake mix flavors to really what you love the most. Fruit is easily paired to a lot of flavors so trying a Strawberry Cake mix with Cherry Pie Filling would be a super fun combination.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg – You cant have a pie filling cake without pie filling spices! Depending on the dump cake you are making, pumpkin pie spice, clove and cardamom also make great choices.
- Butter – You need 1 stick of melted butter. Just put your butter in a bowl, put in the microwave for approximately 45 seconds. Be careful- the bowl and butter get really hot.
- Pie filling
– For this Apple Dump cake you, of course, need Apple Pie filling. But once you go buy it you will recognize there are a LOT of great pie fillings to make dump cakes from! You can check out my blueberry dump cake here if that is one of your favorite fruits and I have a peach one publishing soon as well. I haven’t really stepped out of the fruit zone, but I really am ready to test out some chocolate or Oreo dump cakes too so I can be prepped for the holidays. - Pecans – Pecans are the best holiday nut ever. You can buy them already chopped at the store or if you prefer to get fancy, oven baked candied pecans for a delicious homemade crunch that is out of this world!
- Vanilla ice cream – Vanilla is the most traditional ice cream flavor that compliments apple the best, but any caramel or pecan flavors, would also be amazing.
– For this Apple Dump cake you, of course, need 
How to make Apple Dump Cake
- Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add yellow cake mix, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix well so all your dry ingredients are full incorporated and have no lumps.
- Wet Ingredients: Add melted butter and mix well. Set aside.
- Prep your slow cooker: Grease a 6 quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray (If you do not have one, here is a Crockpot 6 quart at a great price). There is nothing worse than trying to dig out your dump cake and your apples or peaches or crust are all stuck to the bottom. Cleaning crock pots are already no fun!
- Slow Cooker Time : To start, spread apple pie filling into the bottom of the slow cooker and then sprinkle crumbled cake mix on top.
- Cook: Heat on high for 3 hours.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream (I am partial to Breyers Vanilla) and feel free to drizzle with a little caramel!
Products to make this Recipe Easier
Nut Grinder -Anytime you are making recipes that include nuts, they can be a real hassle to chop up to the consistency that you need. Having a good nut grinder can help out, and while it seems like such a random kitchen gadget, it can come in convenient during the holiday season. I suggest getting a nut grinder that also measures as you grind, so you know you have exactly what you need
Crockpots – I have three crockpots in my house, so I can always have things cooking without having to check over them. They are great for side dishes, main dishes, and desserts, just like this one. Here are my three favorite crock pots.
- Crockpot 8 quart – I have one of these crockpot 8 quart slow cookers. It has warm, low, and high buttons. It just runs till you turn it off and is pretty basic
- Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker – I have this slow cooker that allows me to set the time from 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 hours of cooking time and what level. This one is great if you have a dish that only needs a few hours of cooking time and do not want to overcook.
Cake Mix Variations
While yellow cake goes with most fruit fillings, try white cake mix, spice cake mix, or butter golden mix. The apple filling goes flawlessly, creating the best apple pie dump cake!
FAQ’s
First, the nuts make an excellent topping for apple crips and pecans, walnuts, and almost are perfect. However, it’s outstanding to skip nuts or use a traditional crumble with oats and brown sugar (look for your perfect recipe).
Seal leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Remember that scooping it out will mix up the cake, but it should taste fine. The toppings will get mixed up scooping it out, so you are free to add whipped cream or caramel sauce drizzle before serving.
A dump cake is a boxed cake mix with canned fruit filling. There are a variety of fruit filling and canned pie mixtures (like cans apple pie used here) that can be used to make an endless amount of variations.
Yes, apple dump cake can be baked just fine. Just prep a 9×13 baking dish and layer like the original slow cooker instructions. Bake on 350 for approximately 45 minutes. Dump cake is made when apples are bubbling, and cake mix is cooked. Serve with a scoop of ice cream.
Related Dump Cake Recipes
Dump desserts are so easy, and once you try this apple dump cake, you may be looking for more!
- Cherry Cobbler – Skip the complicated old-fashioned dessert recipes and opt into ease! You won’t be sacrificing any flavor at all, whipping up this simple cherry cobbler (that uses canned pie filling and topping) for a rich, sugary, deliciously perfect taste!
- Oreo Dump Cake – I love me some Oreos, and this Oreo dump cake is PERFECT; and did I mention this sweet treat is easy?
- Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake – Pumpkin Pie Dump cake with spiced cake and cream cheese frosting is a “better than pumpkin pie” dessert that is SO simple to make and satisfying to eat! All the fall in one delicious dish that also uses box cake mix!
RELATED THANKSGIVING RECIPES
Ready for Thanksgiving? Here are my favorite Thanksgiving recipes to round out your menus for the season.
- Apple Pie Fluff Salad – Love apples? Me too! This apple pie fluff dessert is rich in all the right ways.
- Cinnamon Carrots (Slow Cooker) – excellent side dish for the holiday
- Bacon Wrapped Potatoes – baby red potatoes wrapped in bacon for a perfect pre-meal snack
- Broccoli Cheese Casserole – It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a broccoli cheese casserole to go!
- Pea Salad – a top recipe on SSD, this pea salad gets better the colder it gets. SUCH a great make-ahead salad!
Apple Dump Cake (Crockpot)
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz yellow cake mix
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick, melted butter
- 40 oz. apple pie filling
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add yellow cake mix, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix well. Add melted butter and mix well. Set aside.
- Grease a 6 quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Spread apple pie filling into the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle crumbled cake mix on top. Top with pecans.
- Place two layers of paper towel on top of the slow cooker and cover with the lid. Heat on high for 3 hours. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Do you think Spice cake mix would work as an alternative for using the spices?
I think it would probably taste pretty great!
I made this with the spiced cake mix and it was not good. It was very spicy. You could not taste the apples.
Have you tried to double this recipe?
Emily, I have not ever tried to double this recipe. I dont think it would be an issue, you would just need to watch to see if the cake was cooked properly – maybe needs a little more time. Overall you shouldnt encounter any issues.
Question: Why the paper towels?
Hi Ms. Kay, it captures the moisture droplets so it doesnt fall back into the dump cake.
This was easy and OH SO GOOD! Can’t go wrong. Crowd favorite 😍 at a family get together.
Maybe it’s the cake mix I used (Pillsbury) but I found the cake part to be wayyyy too sweet in combination with the apples. Textures all turned out nicely, though.