Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake – The Ultimate Easy Fall Dessert
If you love warm apple pie and soft snickerdoodle cookies, this Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake brings the best of both worlds together in one magical, easy-to-make dessert.
It’s sweet, spiced, buttery, and completely foolproof — all you have to do is dump, sprinkle, and bake! The result is a warm, gooey apple filling topped with a golden, cinnamon-sugar cake crust that tastes like snickerdoodles fresh from the oven.
Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got yourself the perfect fall dessert — or honestly, an anytime treat!
Ingredients
- 2 cans (21 oz each) apple pie filling
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional for crunch)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Step 2: Layer the Apples
Spread both cans of apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer.
Step 3: Add the Spices
In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon, nutmeg, and granulated sugar.
Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apple pie filling.
This creates that signature snickerdoodle flavor — sweet and perfectly spiced.
Step 4: Add the Cake Mix
Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the apple mixture.
Use the back of a spoon or your hands to gently spread it into a smooth, even layer.
Don’t stir! The magic of dump cake is letting the layers bake together.
Step 5: Add Butter & Nuts
Drizzle the melted butter evenly across the entire surface, making sure most of the dry cake mix is moistened.
Top with chopped pecans or walnuts if using — they add a nice crunch and a nutty flavor.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly around the edges.
The buttery cake topping will form a crisp, cookie-like crust while the bottom stays soft and gooey.
Step 7: Serve & Enjoy
Let the dump cake cool for about 10–15 minutes before serving.
Serve warm, topped with:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- A dollop of whipped cream
- Or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence
Pro Tips
- Use spice cake mix instead of yellow for an extra punch of warm fall flavor.
- Add fresh apples: Mix 1 peeled, diced apple into the pie filling for more texture.
- Make it extra buttery: Add small cubes of butter on top of the dry cake mix instead of melted butter for a crispier texture.
- Nuts or no nuts: If you don’t like nuts, try sprinkling crushed graham crackers or streusel topping instead.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 20–30 seconds.
- Freeze: You can freeze baked dump cake for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Why You’ll Love It
Only 5 minutes of prep — no mixing bowls or complicated steps.
Tastes like an apple pie and a snickerdoodle cookie had a baby.
Budget-friendly ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
The perfect dessert for Thanksgiving, potlucks, or last-minute guests!
Serving Ideas
- Pair it with salted caramel drizzle for an upscale twist.
- Serve it for brunch with coffee or apple cider.
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for a sweet-and-salty balance.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake is the definition of easy comfort baking — buttery, sweet, cinnamon-spiced, and full of cozy apple flavor.
Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just craving something warm and homey, this dessert will fill your kitchen with the smell of cinnamon and joy.