This easy 3-ingredient apple spice dump cake recipe combines two cans of apple pie filling, one box of dry spice cake mix, and one cup of butter in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 45–50 minutes, then let it cool for 10–15 minutes before serving warm.
The result is a cozy dessert with tender, saucy apples on the bottom and a crisp, buttery spice cake topping on top. Serve each portion with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a simple apple dessert that tastes homemade without mixing a batter or peeling a single apple.
Jump to RecipeWhy You’ll Love This Recipe
This apple spice dump cake is the kind of dessert that makes a busy day feel easier. It requires only three ingredients, takes about 5–10 minutes to assemble, and skips the work of making crust, peeling apples, or preparing cake batter.
The texture is especially satisfying because each layer has a distinct job. The apple pie filling becomes hot and syrupy, the dry spice cake mix turns into a golden topping, and the butter helps create crisp edges with tender, crumbly spots throughout.
There is no need for a mixer, saucepan, or complicated decorating. Just layer the ingredients in the baking dish, bake until bubbling, and let the dessert rest briefly so the filling is hot but easier to serve.
If you enjoy quick baking projects with warm spice flavor, our spice cake mix cookies are another easy treat to keep in your dessert plans.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list is short, but each item contributes important flavor and texture. For the best results, measure and spread each ingredient carefully rather than combining everything in a bowl.
- Apple pie filling: Use two 20–21-ounce cans, or about 40–42 ounces total. The filling provides the fruity base, moisture, sweetness, and familiar apple-pie flavor.
- Spice cake mix: A standard box of dry spice cake mix, approximately 15.25 ounces or 432 grams, supplies the cinnamon-and-spice taste without requiring extra seasonings.
- Butter: Use 1 cup, equal to 2 sticks or 227 grams. Salted or unsalted butter works, and it may be melted or cut into very thin slices.
Choose a 9 x 13-inch baking dish so the layers have enough surface area to bake evenly. A lightly greased dish also makes serving and cleanup easier.
How to Make It Step-by-Step
Step 1: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Give the oven time to fully heat while you assemble the layers, since a properly preheated oven helps the topping brown consistently.
Step 2: Open both cans of apple pie filling and spread them evenly over the bottom of the dish. Use the back of a spoon to guide the apples into the corners so the entire base has a similar thickness.
Step 3: Sprinkle the dry spice cake mix over the apple filling in an even layer. Do not add eggs, water, oil, or any other ingredients listed on the cake-mix box, and do not stir the cake mix into the apples.
Step 4: Pour 1 cup of melted butter slowly over the dry cake mix, aiming to cover as much of the surface as possible. If you prefer sliced butter, chill the butter first and cut it into very thin pieces, then arrange the slices across the topping with minimal gaps.
Step 5: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45–50 minutes. The dessert is ready when the top looks browned and crisp and the apple filling is visibly bubbling around the edges.
Step 6: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for about 10–15 minutes. This short rest allows the hot apple filling to settle slightly while keeping the dessert warm enough for ice cream to melt over each serving.
Pro Tips for a Crisp, Buttery Topping
The most important technique is distributing the butter evenly. Dry patches can appear when sections of cake mix do not receive enough butter, so pour slowly across the entire surface rather than creating one large puddle in the center.
Thinly sliced cold butter is a useful alternative to melted butter because the pieces can be positioned precisely. Cover the cake mix as completely as possible, especially near the corners and along the edges of the dish.
Resist the temptation to stir the fruit, cake mix, and butter together. Dump cake gets its signature contrast from separate layers, and mixing can create a heavier or uneven texture instead of a crisp top and saucy fruit base.
A spice cake mix is the right choice for this three-ingredient version because it brings cinnamon and warm baking spices without requiring additional ingredients. A plain yellow cake mix would change the flavor and would no longer provide the same spice profile.
For another fruit-forward dessert with the same easy layered style, take a look at this easy peach dump cake.
Serving Suggestions
Let the cake rest for 10–15 minutes, then spoon it into bowls while it is still warm. Each serving should include some soft apple filling from the bottom and plenty of crisp topping from the surface.
Vanilla ice cream is the classic partner because the cold, creamy texture melts into the warm apples. Whipped cream also works beautifully and adds a light finish without competing with the spice cake flavor.
- Serve warm in shallow bowls for the best fruit-to-topping balance.
- Add a spoonful of whipped cream just before serving.
- Pair with coffee, black tea, or a glass of cold milk.
- For a larger dessert spread, serve smaller portions alongside other apple favorites such as this apple Bundt cake.
Because the cake is rich and sweet, small portions are satisfying, making one 9 x 13-inch dish suitable for about 12 servings.
Storage and Reheating
Cool leftover apple spice dump cake, cover the baking dish, and refrigerate it. The topping may soften slightly after chilling, but the apple filling will remain delicious and the dessert is easy to warm again.
Reheat individual portions gently until warm, then add ice cream or whipped cream just before eating. If you want to refresh the texture, warm servings uncovered so excess moisture does not collect on the topping.
For the best crispness, enjoy the cake soon after baking. It is still convenient for make-ahead dessert planning because the assembled dish can go from oven to table with very little hands-on work.
Common Questions
Can I use melted butter? Yes. Melted butter works well when it is poured slowly and evenly over the dry cake mix. Thinly sliced butter is another dependable option and can help cover the surface in a more controlled way.
Do I prepare the spice cake mix first? No. Use the cake mix dry and sprinkle it directly over the apple pie filling. Do not follow the cake-mix box directions and do not stir the layers.
How do I know when it is done? Look for a browned, crisp top and apple filling bubbling around the edges. The bake time is typically 45–50 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
Easy 3-Ingredient Apple Spice Dump Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Spread both cans of apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish.
- Sprinkle the dry spice cake mix evenly over the apples. Do not prepare the cake mix according to the package directions, and do not stir the layers together.
- Pour the melted butter over as much of the dry cake mix as possible, or arrange very thin butter slices across the entire surface.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the topping is browned and crisp and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool for about 10–15 minutes before spooning into bowls. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Final Thoughts
This easy 3-ingredient apple spice dump cake is proof that a memorable dessert does not need a long ingredient list. With apple pie filling, dry spice cake mix, and butter, you can create a bubbling, buttery dessert with a crisp topping in about an hour from start to finish.
Keep the layers separate, spread the butter carefully, and allow the cake to cool briefly before serving. Add vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, and you have a warm apple dessert that is simple enough for a weeknight but comforting enough for a holiday table.