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.
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.
Ingredient Notes
- Apple pie filling – While you can make dump cake with fresh apples, I love the ease of pie filling. No coring, peeling, or slicing necessary.
- Vanilla cake mix – Or spice cake, or butter pecan… You choose the flavor you want.
- Chopped pecans – I love the flavor pecans give, but you can also use walnuts.
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.
- 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. We have a few ideas as you keep reading.
Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ's
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
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.
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.
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.
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…
- Vanilla ice cream – Or butter pecan… or butter brickle… or cinnamon ice cream. Yum!
- Caramel syrup
- Butterscotch ice cream topping
- Shake a dusting of powdered sugar on top.
- Drizzle a little maple syrup on top.
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:
- Old-fashioned gluten-free apple crisp
- Cinnamon apple French toast casserole
- Dutch apple crumb pie
- Easy apple crumble without oats
CrockPot Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 42 ounces apple pie filling
- 15.25 ounces vanilla cake mix
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 16 tablespoons salted butter
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.
What size crock pot do you use?
Betty, I use a 7 quart crock pot.
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!
That’s awesome, Cassie! I’m so glad you liked it.