Easy CrockPot Apple Dump Cake

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Need an easy dessert? Throw together a CrockPot apple dump cake with pie filling and a cake mix. It's perfect for the fall and holiday season!

Not that long ago, I shared a caramel apple dump cake recipe with you. This slow cooker apple dump cake is very similar, but instead of baking it in the oven, you slow cook it.

big scoop of CrockPot apple dump cake on white plate with scoop of vanilla ice cream on top

Essentially a CrockPot apple cobbler with cake mix, this CrockPot dump cake is one of those recipes you can literally dump in, set to cook, and walk away.

Now some people use a spice cake mix; butter pecan would be pretty tasty too. For this particular dump cake recipe, I decided to keep it simple with a yellow cake mix.

What is a Dump Cake?

Crock Pot apple dump cake is just that; you dump ingredients into your CrockPot and slow cook it.

People understandably confuse dump cakes with cobblers, but the two desserts differ in that cobbler is far more work; dump cakes require no mixing, no stirring, and no work at all really. Cobblers also use a more savory crust, such as pie crust or biscuits, while as dump cake almost always uses a rich cake mix.

Why This Recipe Works

  • It's super quick and easy to make. Even though it has to slow cook over time, you can literally dump in the ingredients and walk away. You don't even have to stir.
  • You only need 5 simple ingredients, and you may even have them on hand.
  • It's so yummy. I mean, the flavors in this dessert… Everyone is going to want your recipe, I guarantee it.
CrockPot apple dump cake ingredients on white marble countertop

Ingredient Notes

How to Make CrockPot Apple Dump Cake

Making apple dump cake in the CrockPot involves 4 basic steps. But first be sure to give your slow cooker a light coat of cooking spray to prevent sticking and burning.

  1. Dump the pie filling and evenly spread it in the bottom of your CrockPot.
  2. Next sprinkle the dry cake mix, and spread it evenly all over the top of the pie filling.
  3. Sprinkle cinnamon over the dry cake mix.
  4. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the cinnamon and dry cake mix.
  5. Slice cold butter all over the top of the cake.
steps for how to make CrockPot apple dump cake, including layering ingredients in slow cooker
  1. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours, or on low for 5-6 hours. You'll know it's fully cooked when the butter has melted and transformed the dry cake mix into a golden crust, and the mixture is bubbly.
baked CrockPot dump cake in gray slow cooker
  1. Scoop it out and serve it with your favorite toppings. We have a few ideas as you keep reading.
scooping Crock Pot apple dump cake out of gray slow cooker with wooden spoon

Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ's

Can I make dump cake in the oven?

Yes, dump cake can be cooked however you like it, in the oven or in the slow cooker. In fact, the procedure for layering is exactly the same. If you choose to make it in the oven, be sure to bake at 350°F for 1 hour, or until the cake turns a golden brown and the pie filling is bubbly all around the edges

How long can dump cake sit out unrefrigerated?

Although dump cake is best served hot out of the CrockPot, I recommend refrigerating any leftovers if you use canned pie filling. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no more than a few days; or you can freeze it in the same manner for up to 3 months.

Can I use fresh apples or homemade apple pie filling?

Yes, feel free to change it up and use a homemade pie filling. These delicious baked cinnamon apples make a wonderful pie filling, and they're even gluten-free. Baked apples are easy to make, and they generally taste better than a canned pie filling. In my opinion, the fresher the apples, the better your pie filling will taste. My favorite varieties include Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Jonagold, and Granny Smith.

What can I use instead of butter?

Applesauce is the most common substitute that I have found for butter. Use half the amount of applesauce as you would butter, or, for even better results, use 1/4 of the amount of applesauce as you would butter plus 1/4 of the amount of buttermilk as you would butter. Vegetable oil makes a very close substitute. Use 3/4 the amount of vegetable oil as you would butter. Coconut oil will differ somewhat in flavor, but its oil-based properties are very similar to butter. Many people substitute it 1:1 in place of butter.

Can I make gluten-free dump cake?

It is very easy to make this gluten-free. Simply use a gluten-free cake mix, which can be found at most grocery stores and health food stores. As with any recipe, be sure to check all of your ingredients to ensure that they are gluten-free, including your pie filling.

How to Serve Apple Dump Cake

This apple dump cake CrockPot recipe is best served hot out of the slow cooker. It makes for an incredibly rich and creamy dessert that's truly hard to resist.

Some toppings that I enjoy with this cake might include…

Be creative; it's really hard to go wrong when it comes to dump cake toppings.

More Delicious Dump Cake Recipes:

If you love this apple dump cake as much as we do, you'll love these too.

More Favorite Apple Desserts:

serving of apple dump cake, CrockPot version, on white plate with fork

CrockPot Apple Dump Cake

Need an easy dessert? Throw together a CrockPot apple dump cake with pie filling and a cake mix. Perfect for the fall and holiday season!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cakes, Desserts
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 429kcal
Author: Mel Lockcuff

Ingredients

Instructions

  • First be sure to give your slow cooker a light coat of cooking spray to prevent sticking and burning.
  • Dump the pie filling and evenly spread it in the bottom of your CrockPot.
  • Next sprinkle the dry cake mix, and spread it evenly all over the top of the pie filling.
  • Sprinkle cinnamon over the dry cake mix.
  • Sprinkle chopped pecans over the cinnamon and dry cake mix.
  • Slice cold butter all over the top of the cake.
  • Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours, or on low for 5-6 hours. You'll know it's fully cooked when the butter has melted and transformed the dry cake mix into a golden crust, and the mixture is bubbly.
  • Scoop it out and serve it with your favorite toppings.

Notes

*Or spice cake, or butter pecan… You choose the flavor you want.
CAN I MAKE DUMP CAKE IN THE OVEN?
Yes, dump cake can be cooked however you like it, in the oven or in the slow cooker. In fact, the procedure for layering is exactly the same. Bake it at 350°F for 1 hour, or until the cake turns a golden brown and the pie filling is bubbly all around the edges.
HOW TO STORE CROCK POT APPLE DUMP CAKE
Although dump cake is best served hot out of the CrockPot, I recommend refrigerating any leftovers if you use canned pie filling. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no more than a few days; or you can freeze it in the same manner for up to 3 months.
HOW TO MAKE THIS A GLUTEN-FREE DUMP CAKE
It's very easy to make this gluten-free. Simply use a gluten-free cake mix, which can be found at most grocery stores and health food stores. As with any recipe, be sure to check all of your ingredients to ensure that they are gluten-free, including your pie filling.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 429kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 442mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 496IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 1mg
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7 thoughts on “Easy CrockPot Apple Dump Cake”

  1. What if you don’t want to use cake mix? How could you make this? Also, if you want to make it with with real apples instead of apple pie filling? (We have a load of apples from apple picking)

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    I just tried this at a potluck! A co-worker made it, and I immediately asked for her recipe. By the time I got to it, it was almost gone. It was definitely a hit! Served with a scoop of vanilla on top “to cut the sweetness”. 😉 Delish!

    Reply

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