A delicious and easy dessert that is perfect for any occasion, apple spice dump cake is the flavors of fall in a bowl. It is a combination of sweet, tart, and spicy flavors, and pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream.
Apple Dump Cake is a delicious and easy dessert that is perfect for any occasion. It is made with a simple batter of spice cake mix, butter, and canned (or fresh) apples, and it is cooked in a slow cooker until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. Apple dump cake is also a great way to use up leftover apples, and it is a sure crowd-pleaser.
My kids love this cake because it tastes and smells fantastic. I love it because it is almost fool-proof and fills my home with the heavenly scent of spiced cake and apples. Plus, it is a great cake to slow cook in the summer when the weather is hot. Unlike an oven, the slow cooker does not heat up the home when the sweltering heat is high!
Want to prepare this dessert for your family? The good news is you will not need many ingredients! In fact, you might even be able to buy some of these items at a discount or dollar store.
Ingredients for Apple Dump Cake
- Apple Pie Filling – The apple pie filling provides the sweetness and moisture in the cake. It also helps to prevent the cake from becoming dry. You can substitute fresh apples for the canned apple pie filling – see below for tips.
- Cake Mix – The spice cake mix provides the base for the cake. It also adds the spices that give the cake its flavor. You can substitute any type of cake mix for the spice cake mix but be sure to use a mix that is not too sweet.
- Butter – Unsalted butter helps to bind the cake together and gives it a slightly crispy topping. You can use plant-based butter if you want to make this vegan friendly.
Using Fresh Apples for Dump Cake
- Choose the right apples. Not all apples are created equal when it comes to apple dump cake. Some good choices include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji apples. These apples are tart and crisp, which helps to balance out the sweetness of the cake.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples. This is an important step, as it will help to prevent the apples from becoming mushy during baking. You can use a sharp knife or a peeler to peel the apples. Then, use a paring knife to core the apples and cut them into thin slices.
- Combine the apples with sugar and spices. In a large bowl, combine the apples, sugar, and spices. You can use any type of spices that you like, but some good choices include cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
How to Make Slow Cooker Dump Cake
Grease the slow cooker insert with a tablespoon of unsalted butter.
Pour both cans of apple pie filling into the slow cooker.
Sprinkle cake mix mixture over apple pie filling and gently pat in.
If desired, sprinkle with chopped nuts.
Cover and cook on high for 2 ½- 3 hours, or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender. I find black slow cookers tend to cook faster than white ones. Be sure to check this at the 2 ½ hour mark if you use a black slow cooker.
Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
Recipe FAQS
Can I use fresh apples instead of canned apple pie filling?
Yes, you can use fresh apples instead of canned apple pie filling. Just be sure to peel, core, and slice the apples before adding them to the slow cooker.
What kind of nuts can I use?
Any type of nuts can be used in this recipe. Some popular choices include walnuts, pecans, and almonds.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Simply prepare the dish up to step 6, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to cook, remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
How long will this recipe keep?
This recipe will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Apple Dump Cake Tips
- For a richer flavor, use a homemade spice cake mix instead of a store-bought mix.
- To make a streusel topping, combine 1/2 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of chopped nuts. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the cake mix before cooking.
- Serve apple dump cake with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a dollop of your favorite flavored yogurt.
Storing Apple Dump Cake
Apple dump cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. To thaw, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
More Apple Recipes to Try Today
Love apple desserts? So do we! Check out some of our favorites today!
- Apple Cream Cheese Danish
- Easy Apple Crisp
- Iced Apple Hand Pies
- Puff Pastry Apple Pies
- Apple Juice Bundt Cake
Slow Cooker Apple Spice Dump Cake
Equipment
- 5-quart slow cooker
- Rubber Spatula
- cutting board & knife
- can opener
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces spice cake mix
- 42 ounces canned apples
- 12 ounces unsalted butter cut into thin pats
Instructions
- Grease the slow cooker insert with a tablespoon of unsalted butter.
- Pour both cans of apple pie filling into the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle cake mix mixture over apple pie filling and gently pat in.
- If desired, sprinkle with chopped nuts.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 ½- 3 hours, or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender. I find black slow cookers tend to cook faster than white ones. Be sure to check this at the 2 ½ hour mark if you use a black slow cooker.
- Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
I can’t believe how easy this tasty apple cake is to make! My whole family loves it, and I love that I can put it together in the crock pot and forget about it for 3 hours.
This dump cake is so tasty, and great for the hot weather! I love not having to turn my oven on to ‘bake’ something super tasty. I’ll definitely be making this one again!
I love time-saving recipes like this! It looks so yummy. Can’t wait to see what my family thinks. Thanks for sharing.
Not only was this super easy and delicious, my house smelled perfectly sweet all day long! Easily, a new favorite recipe!
I love easy to make desserts cause I suck at making them. This was super easy to just dump everything in a slow cooker. The fam loved it too.