Effortless and delicious apple dessert, not really a cake at all…
The title of this recipe is sort of misleading, calling it a “dump cake.” True, a few ingredients are literally dumped into a pan and baked, but the end result is not a cake.
It is actually more like an apple crisp. From a cake mix just dumped into a pan.
Seriously, this only takes a couple of minutes to make and throw into the oven. So if you were looking for a good excuse to not have time to make dessert, you won’t have any luck here. So when the Sunday Supper group announced doing a theme on NO LABOR recipes for Labor Day, I instantly knew that this was one of the easiest recipes I know.
And you can change it up with different pie fillings from apple to cherry or peach, what have you. But it is September and I am kind of in the mood for apple, so that’s what I did. Of course, my sprinkle of spices I will only vouch for pairing with apple. Although a little bit of cinnamon will go with most fruits, such as peach, cherry, and blueberry. If you want fine-tuned spices for the other fruits, you will have to be patient and wait for a different post. I don’t want people messing up and putting the wrong spice mix on the wrong filling and then looking at me cross-eyed. So we will just keep it simple here. You guys like simple right? Simple it is.
Sunday Supper
Labor-Free Recipes
As part of the Sunday Supper Movement, I and a host of other food bloggers are pleased to present to you some of our favorite labor-free recipes to enjoy with family and friends this Labor Day weekend.
Savory Snacks and Sides:
- Acorn Squash, Black Bean and Spinach Quesadillas by Our Good Life
- Copy Cat: Momma’s Nachos by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Cream Cheese and Peach Chutney Pastry Cups by Soni’s Food
- Easy Peasy Cole Slaw by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Fruit & Cheese Platter by The Freshman Cook
- Olive Tapenade by Whole Food | Real Families
- Smoked Salmon Spread with Sourdough Baguette by A Gouda Life
Labor Free Main Dishes:
- Ace of Clubs by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Greek Salad Endive Boats by Casa de Crews
- Grilled Butternut Squash, Zucchini and Steak with Chimichurri Sauce by Caroline’s Cooking
- Pesto Chicken with Fennel & Tomato Couscous by Books n’ Cooks
- Simple Cheese Enchiladas by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Simple Grilled Rosemary Shrimp by Nosh My Way
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Mustard Barbecue Sauce by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Slow Cooker Turkey Sloppy Joes by Food Done Light
- Spicy Thai Noodles by Momma’s Meals
Sweet Treats and Drinks:
- Apple Spice Dump Cake by Palatable Pastime
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles by What Smells So Good?
- Coconut Martini by Desserts Required
- Creamy Coconut Popsicles by Food Lust People Love
- Eiskaffee by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Healthy Grab’n’Go Breakfast Muffins by Happy Baking Days
- Mini Pavlovas by Curious Cuisiniere
- One Step Vanilla Sauce by Magnolia Days
- White Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle Bars by Pies and Plots
Apple Spice Dump Cake

Ingredients:
- 16 ounce package yellow cake mix (weight may vary slightly)
- 2 (21 ounce) cans apple pie filling
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- pinch nutmeg
- 3/4 cup melted butter
- 1 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
Method:
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Spread the apple pie filling into a 13″ x 9″ baking dish.
- Stir spices into cake mix.
- Sprinkle half the cake mix over the apples, then drizzle with half the melted butter.
- Sprinkle the remainder, drizzling the rest of the butter on top.
- Sprinkle walnuts over all.
- Bake in the preheated oven for one hour.
- Serve warm or cooled with ice cream.
From the kitchen of palatablepastime.com

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I adore apple desserts and your dump cake looks irresistible, Sue!
Thanks, Liz!
I love how easy this looks! I also love how you can make it with whatever fruit tickles your fancy!
Thank you!
Mmmmmm! This looks yummy!
Thanks, Constance!
Yum!
Thanks, Laurie!
I wish I had these ingredients now so I could make it today. It is raining too hard to go to the store but if is on my list for Wednesday when I go shopping…
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it no matter what kind of filling you decide to use.
Cake or crisp is no matter. It’s a great, easy dessert for fall.
Thanks, Renee!
I have heard of dump cakes but have never made one. Now I will have to remedy that because this sounds absolutely delicious.
It is a bit of a surprise! It is the easiest apple crisp ever.
Apple anything is A+ in my book!
Thank you!
Oh my goodness! My Mom used to make the most wonderful pineapple and blueberry dump cake! Your recipe brings back some fun memories!
Thank you!
I am all.over.this. Nothing says fall in Michigan (where I live) like apple desserts and I definitely need to try this!
Thank you!
Cake or not, I’m good with anything that tastes like apple crisp!
Thank you!
Sue, my grandma taught me to make Dump Cake. Why I’ve never tried the apple “cobbler” version like this I have NO IDEA! This looks so yummy and I’m picking up a yellow cake mix this week! xo
It’s really good! I hope you enjoy.
A perfect fall dish!
Thanks!
Apple and spice are pretty much always great to me. Sounds like a tasty dessert.
Thank you!
Looks divine!Apple desserts are a big hit in our family and I cannot wait to try this one!
Thank you!
Someone brought this to a potluck recently – it was my favorite thing there! Yum.
Thanks!