Best Apple Cobbler Dump Cake

Looking for the easiest dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen? This apple cobbler dump cake is my go-to recipe when I need something quick but homey. With just a few simple ingredients – cake mix, butter, and fresh apples – you’ll have a warm, cozy dessert that makes the whole house smell like fall.

My kids always hang around the kitchen when this is in the oven, asking every five minutes if it’s ready yet. And honestly, I can’t blame them – the combination of soft, cinnamon-spiced apples and buttery cake topping is hard to resist.

What Kind of Apples Should I Use?

For an apple cobbler dump cake, you’ll want to use apples that hold their shape when baked and offer a good balance of sweet and tart flavors. Granny Smith apples are a classic choice that works great, but you can also try Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Braeburn apples. If you’re feeling adventurous, try mixing two different apple varieties – like combining tart Granny Smiths with sweeter Honeycrisps – to create more complex flavors in your dessert. When picking your apples, look for ones that feel firm and heavy for their size, with no soft spots or bruising, since these will hold up better during baking.

Options for Substitutions

This easy dessert can be adapted with several simple swaps if you’re missing something:

• Vanilla cake mix: Yellow cake mix works just as well here. In a pinch, you can also use white cake mix or even spice cake mix for extra fall flavor.
• Apples: Any baking apple variety works great – try Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala. You can even use 2 (21 oz) cans of apple pie filling instead of fresh apples, just skip the sugar and lemon juice if you do.
• Apple pie seasoning: If you don’t have apple pie seasoning, mix 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice as a substitute.
• Unsalted butter: Salted butter can work too – just know your dessert will be slightly saltier. You can also use margarine, though butter gives the best flavor.
• Lemon juice: Orange juice works in place of lemon juice, or you can use 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to get that bit of acidity that helps prevent the apples from browning.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making apple cobbler dump cake is using apples that are cut too large, which won’t cook evenly and might stay too firm – aim for uniform, bite-sized pieces about 1/4 inch thick for the perfect texture. Another common error is pouring the melted butter unevenly over the cake mix, leaving dry patches that won’t properly transform into that crispy, golden topping – try drizzling the butter in a zigzag pattern and use the back of a spoon to ensure even coverage. To prevent a grainy texture, don’t skip tossing the apples with lemon juice and sugar first, as this step helps create the right amount of moisture and prevents the apples from browning. For the best results, check your cobbler about 10 minutes before the recommended baking time, as oven temperatures can vary significantly and overbaking will make the topping too dark and hard.

What to Serve With Apple Cobbler Dump Cake?

This warm, sweet dessert practically begs for a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream on top – the contrast between hot and cold is just perfect! If you’re not in the mood for ice cream, a dollop of fresh whipped cream or even a pour of cold heavy cream works great too. I love serving this dessert after a cozy fall dinner, and sometimes I’ll add a drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of chopped pecans for extra flavor and crunch. For a special breakfast treat, you can even serve it with a cup of hot coffee or spiced apple cider – I won’t tell anyone!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Once your apple cobbler dump cake has cooled down, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to 5 days, though the topping might lose some of its crispness over time. I like to portion it out into smaller containers, making it super easy to grab a serving whenever the craving hits!

Freeze: This dessert is perfect for freezing! Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep well for up to 3 months in the freezer. You can freeze individual portions too – perfect for those times when you need just a little something sweet!

Warm Up: To enjoy your stored cobbler, pop individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or until warm. For that fresh-baked taste, heat it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the warm cobbler makes it extra special!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	30-40 minutes
Total Time	40-55 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2900-3100
• Protein: 20-25 g
• Fat: 180-190 g
• Carbohydrates: 380-400 g

Ingredients

• 1 package of vanilla cake mix
• 6 medium-sized apples, peeled and diced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon apple pie seasoning
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

While the oven is heating up, lightly grease a 9″x13″ baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.

Once prepared, set the dish aside for later use.

Step 2: Mix the Apple Filling

In a medium-sized bowl, add the sliced apples and pour over some lemon juice, mixing to coat the apples evenly.

This will add a bit of tang and prevent the apples from browning.

Then, add apple pie spice and sugar to the apples.

Stir the mixture until the apples are evenly coated with the spice and sugar, ensuring each piece is flavorful.

Step 3: Assemble the Dessert

Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Take a box of cake mix and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the apples to form a uniform layer.

Melt some butter and pour it over the cake mix, ensuring as even a distribution as possible.

Gently shake the dish to help spread the butter and, if necessary, use a spoon to break up any large clumps of the dry cake mix.

Step 4: Bake and Finish

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until the top becomes a lovely golden brown.

This indicates that the topping is crisp and baked through.

Once done, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once slightly cooled, serve the warm apple dessert as is, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence.

Enjoy the comforting flavors of this simple yet delicious treat!