This apple dump cake is an easy apple cobbler using apple pie filling and boxed cake mix. It comes together with just four ingredients. A quick and easy dessert, this apple cobbler is delicious with a scoop of ice cream or topped with fresh whipped cream. It’s perfect for any occasion.
We are always looking for a quick and easy dessert, and we love this easy apple cobbler recipe. It takes only a few minutes to prepare, bakes in less than an hour, and is perfect for any occasion.
If you love this recipe, you may also enjoy our Blackberry Dump Cake, or our easy Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake.
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Why you’ll love Cake Mix Apple Cobbler:
We love homemade apple cobbler, but sometimes we need a quick dessert and don’t have the time to peel and chop fresh apples.
This cake mix cobbler, or a dump cake, is a great alternative and is one of the easiest desserts you will ever make. It only requires four simple ingredients, and preparation is as easy as dumping the ingredients in a baking dish and tossing it in the oven.
The recipe uses canned apple pie filling, and we use store-bought, but if you are feeling more energetic, you can make your own. The cobbler topping comes from a box of yellow cake mix, but you could use white cake, lemon cake, or even a spice cake mix if you prefer.
The perfect dump cake will have gooey layers of fruit that have slightly mixed with the cake and a crisp topping. The cake is delicious, both hot and cold, and can be served on its own or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. It can be drizzled with caramel or butterscotch sauce or topped with chopped nuts for added texture.
It makes about 8 servings, so it is great for small gatherings, parties, and backyard BBQs.
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for a few days and are great for breakfast, too!
The apples and warm spices make this a delicious fall dessert, but it is great at any time of year and will go nicely with any meal.
If you love how easy this dump-and-go recipe is and you want more apple desserts, you will love an easy Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake made with apple pie filling and refrigerated cinnamon rolls.
Ingredients & Substitutions
For a full list of ingredients and measurements, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You only need four ingredients for this cake mix apple cobbler recipe. You will need:
Apple pie filling—For this recipe, you will need 2 cans of apple pie filling. You can add fresh, thinly chopped granny smith apples, or you can make your own favourite apple pie filling. You can also add additional apple pie spice, lemon juice, or vanilla extract to change the flavors a bit.
Cake mix – We like using yellow cake mix with our apple dump cake recipe, as the neutral flavour pairs well with the apples. You will need one box of cake mix. If you don’t have yellow cake, this also works great with spice cake or white cake mix.
Butter – Butter is needed to combine with the cake mix and give it flavor. Do not substitute this with oil, as it will not taste the same or have the same texture. You will need one stick of butter.
Milk—Because apple pie filling is quite thick, the milk adds extra liquid, which helps bake the cake and give it proper texture. If you’d rather, you can skip the milk and double the butter; however, we have found that the milk makes the cake less heavy-tasting.
The recipe works best with melted butter, as it ensures the cake mix will cook without any dry spots. However, you can slice cold butter into thin slices and distribute them over the top of the cake if you like. The butter slices will melt as the cake cooks; however, this method sometimes produces a few drier spots.
Step by Step Instructions for Apple Dump Cake
Prepare a 9×13 baking dish or cake pan with nonstick cooking spray or a thin coating of butter, paying attention to the corners.
Pour the pie filling into the dish, spread it out in an even layer, and then add the milk.
Sprinkle the cake mix over the top of the apples, and give the pan a gentle shake to help evenly distribute it.
Then, carefully pour the melted butter over the top of the dry mix. If you prefer, you can cut the butter into thin slices and then distribute the butter slices evenly over the top of the cake. They will melt in the oven; however, sometimes, this method will result in a few spots of cake that are drier than others.
If you like, you can top it with a sprinkle of brown sugar and cinnamon or chopped pecans or walnuts for a bit of texture.
Place the cake in the oven and bake for 50-55 minutes until the top of the cake is golden brown.
Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes before serving, as this will help the warm fruit filling set, making it easier to serve.
Serving Suggestions
We like to keep things simple and serve this easy apple dessert recipe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It is especially delicious when the cobbler is served warm, and the ice cream can melt into the warm, gooey fruit filling.
You could also add a dollop of Cool Whip, or some fresh homemade whipped cream.
You may also want to serve it with a drizzle of butterscotch or caramel sauce, or some chopped nuts such as toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds.
Top Tips & Tricks
- Before baking, give the baking dish a gentle shake. This will help distribute the cake mix and butter, helping it cook evenly and with less chance of dry spots.
- Let the cake cool for ten minutes before serving. This will help the fruit filling set, making it easier to serve.
FAQS
Because of the fruit and moisture in apple cobbler, for food safety, leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator.
Printable Recipe
Cake Mix Apple Cobbler
Ingredients
- 2 (21 oz) cans apple pie filling
- 1 (13.25 oz) box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or coating with a thin layer of butter.
- Dump the pie filling into the baking dish and spread it evenly. Then pour the milk over the fruit.
- Sprinkle the cake mix over the fruit filling and give the pan a gentle shake to help distribute the cake mix and fill in any holes.
- Pour the melted butter over the top of the cake.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes until the cake is golden brown. Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
More Dump Cakes to Try
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Food Safety and Storage
This cake can be stored in the baking dish covered in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about three days.
It may also be frozen for several months.