16 Easy Apple Pie Filling and Cake Mix Recipes

Canned apple pie filling and a box of cake mix make a warm homemade dessert with very little prep. You can keep it classic with a simple dump cake or add fruit, nuts, cream cheese, or a crisp oat topping.

Each recipe has clear, step-by-step directions, so you can choose one that fits the cake mix and toppings you have on hand. If you want a different easy dessert, try this Bisquick apple cobbler with canned apple pie filling.

16 Easy Canned Apple Pie Filling and Cake Mix Recipes to Try

Most of these desserts use the same basic method: spread apple filling in a baking dish, add an even layer of dry cake mix, distribute butter or the recipe’s topping, then bake until golden and bubbling. The exact amounts and bake times vary, so use the pan size and doneness cues listed with each recipe.

1. Classic Yellow Cake Mix Apple Dump Cake

Ingredients: 2 (21-ounce) cans apple pie filling, 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix, and 1/2 cup melted butter.

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Spread the filling in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, then cover evenly with dry cake mix.
2. Drizzle butter across the top and bake about 40 minutes, until golden with bubbling filling. Cool for 15 minutes before serving. A few dry spots can remain if the butter doesn’t cover the mix evenly. See Allrecipes’ apple dump cake method.

2. Caramel Walnut Spice Cake Dump Cake

Ingredients: 2 (21-ounce) cans apple pie filling, 1/2 cup caramel sauce, 1 (15.25-ounce) box spice cake mix, 1 cup melted salted butter, and 1 cup chopped walnuts.

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. In a greased 9-by-13-inch dish, layer filling, caramel, dry cake mix, butter, then walnuts.
2. Bake 50 to 55 minutes, until golden and bubbling. Cool for 15 minutes. Caramel makes the filling richer, while walnuts add crunch.

3. Apple Spice Dump Cake with Yellow Cake Mix

Ingredients: 2 (21-ounce) cans apple pie filling, 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix, 2 teaspoons apple pie spice, and 1/2 cup melted butter.

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Spread filling in a 9-by-13-inch dish. Stir the spice into the dry cake mix, then spread it over the apples.
2. Drizzle butter over the mix and bake about 40 minutes, until golden and bubbling. The spice gives yellow cake mix the warm flavor of spice cake.

4. Apple Pecan Dump Cake

Ingredients: 2 (21-ounce) cans apple pie filling, 1 box yellow cake mix, 1/2 cup melted butter, and 1 cup chopped pecans.

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Layer the filling and dry cake mix in a 9-by-13-inch dish, then drizzle with butter.
2. Bake about 40 minutes, scatter pecans over the top, then bake 5 to 10 minutes more. The topping should look golden and the filling should bubble at the edges. Rest 15 minutes before serving.

5. Apple Oat Crumble Cake

Ingredients: 2 (21-ounce) cans apple pie filling, 1 box yellow cake mix, 1 cup old-fashioned oats, and 1/2 cup melted butter.

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Spread filling in a 9-by-13-inch dish. Mix oats with cake mix and spread in an even layer.
2. Drizzle butter across the surface, covering as much mix as possible. Bake about 40 minutes, until golden and bubbling. Oats make the topping heartier and more crisp.

6. Apple Cranberry Dump Cake

Ingredients: 2 (21-ounce) cans apple pie filling, 1 cup fresh cranberries, 1 box yellow cake mix, and 1/2 cup melted butter.

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Spread filling in a 9-by-13-inch dish and scatter cranberries over it. Add dry cake mix, then drizzle with butter.
2. Bake until the top is golden and the filling bubbles through at the edges, about 45 minutes. Rest 15 minutes before serving. Cranberries release moisture, so rely on those cues rather than the classic cake’s bake time.

Add a New Flavor to These Apple Cake Mix Desserts

A few simple additions change the flavor and texture of apple pie filling and cake mix. Use a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and bake at 350°F unless noted. For another easy fruit-and-cake-mix dessert, try our sweet potato dump cake recipe.

7. Apple Blueberry Dump Cake

Blueberries add a sweet-tart note that balances the soft apples. Use 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, or 1 cup canned blueberries, well drained. Frozen berries can go in straight from the freezer. For a similar fruit combination, see Taste of Home’s blueberry apple dump cake.

1. Spread 2 cans (21 ounces each) apple pie filling in the dish and scatter blueberries over it.
2. Add 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix and drizzle with 1/2 cup melted butter. Bake about 45 minutes, until golden and bubbling at the edges.

8. Apple Cherry Dump Cake

Cherry pie filling brings a deeper fruit flavor and a red color through the apples. Use 1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling and 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling.

1. Spread both fillings in the baking dish, then cover with 1 box (15.25 ounces) dry yellow cake mix.
2. Drizzle 1/2 cup melted butter over the mix. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden and fruit bubbles at the edges. Rest 15 minutes, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Read also: 17 Easy Homemade Desserts With Apple Pie Filling

9. Apple Cream Cheese Swirl Cake

For a creamy contrast, use 8 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 egg. Beat them together until smooth, then spoon small portions over 2 cans (21 ounces each) apple pie filling.

1. Add 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix and drizzle with 1/2 cup melted butter.
2. Bake at 350°F for about 45 minutes. Check that the center is set, not liquid, before cooling. Pan depth affects baking time, so use these cues rather than relying only on the clock.

10. Salted Caramel Apple Pecan Cake

Layer 2 cans (21 ounces each) apple pie filling and 1/2 cup caramel sauce in the baking dish. Add 1 box (15.25 ounces) spice cake mix, then drizzle with 1 cup melted salted butter. This richer topping sets it apart from a simple caramel apple cake.

1. Scatter 1 cup chopped pecans over the buttered cake mix.
2. Bake at 350°F for 50 to 55 minutes, until golden and bubbling. Add a small pinch of flaky salt after baking to keep the finish balanced.

11. Apple White Chocolate Dump Cake

White chocolate makes the apple filling sweeter and creamier. Spread 2 cans (21 ounces each) apple pie filling in the dish, then add 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix and 1/2 cup melted butter.

1. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, then scatter 1 cup white chocolate chips over the top.
2. Bake another 10 to 15 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling bubbles. Adding the chips near the end helps keep them from scorching.

12. Cinnamon Streusel Apple Cake

Mix 1/2 cup flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 cup softened butter until crumbly. Spread 2 cans (21 ounces each) apple pie filling in the dish, then add 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix and 1/2 cup melted butter.

1. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the topping.
2. Bake at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes. The crumbs should look crisp and golden, with filling bubbling around the edges.

Make Apple Cake Mix Bars and Small-Batch Desserts

Cake mix can do more than top a 9-by-13-inch dump cake. Add an egg and butter to make a press-in crust, or divide the familiar layers among a slow cooker or ramekins.

13. Apple Cake Mix Crumble Bars

Use a 9-inch square pan for bars with a firm base and crumbly top. You’ll need 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix, 1 egg, 1/2 cup melted butter, and 1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling.

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Stir the cake mix, egg, and butter until crumbly. Press about two-thirds firmly into a parchment-lined pan, then spread the apple filling over the base.
2. Crumble the remaining mixture over the apples. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden and filling bubbles at the edges. Cool completely before lifting out and slicing.

14. Apple Cheesecake Bars with Cake Mix

For a creamy layer, use a 9-inch square pan, 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix, 1 egg, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling, 8 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Mix cake mix, 1 egg, and butter; press into a parchment-lined pan. Bake 10 minutes.
2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over the warm crust, spoon apples on top, then bake 35 to 40 minutes, until the center is set. Cool, then refrigerate at least 3 hours before cutting.

15. Slow Cooker Apple Dump Cake

Grease a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. You’ll need 2 cans (21 ounces each) apple pie filling, 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix, and 1/2 cup melted butter.

1. Spread the filling in the cooker, then sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over it. Drizzle butter across the surface.
2. Cover and cook on high for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. The fruit should bubble around the edges and the topping should look set. If the lid collects condensation, tilt it open for the final 20 minutes. For another fall cake-mix dessert, try our pumpkin dump cake.

16. Mini Apple Dump Cakes in Ramekins

Set four 8-ounce oven-safe ramekins on a baking sheet. Divide 1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling, 1/2 box (about 7.6 ounces) yellow cake mix, and 1/4 cup melted butter among them.

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Spoon filling into the ramekins, add an even layer of dry cake mix, then drizzle with butter.
2. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until the tops are browned and fruit bubbles at the edges. Use oven mitts to move the baking sheet; ramekins stay hot. Cool before serving.

Store Leftovers Safely and Reheat for the Best Texture

Refrigerate moist fruit desserts within two hours, or within one hour when the room is above 90°F. Cover leftovers and use them within three to four days, following USDA leftover storage guidance. Reheat individual portions until warm. The topping may soften in the refrigerator, but a few minutes in the oven can help refresh it.

Frequently Asked Questions

A few small choices can change the flavor, topping, and texture of apple pie filling and cake mix desserts. These answers cover common swaps and serving questions.

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Yellow and spice cake mixes are easy choices because both pair well with apple filling. Other flavors can work, but test them with the fruit and toppings you plan to use; the finished dessert may taste sweeter or have a different flavor balance. For another cake-mix dessert idea, try our pumpkin dump cake recipe.

Do I need to prepare the cake mix before adding it?

For dump cakes, sprinkle the dry cake mix over the apple filling. Don’t mix it into batter first, since the recipe relies on the dry mix and butter to form the topping. Bars and muffins may call for eggs or other ingredients, so follow the directions for that recipe.

How can I keep the topping from having dry patches?

Distribute the butter over the dry mix using the method listed in the recipe, whether that means drizzling melted butter or arranging slices. Covering more of the surface helps the topping bake more evenly, though a few dry spots can still occur.

Can I make these recipes with sugar-free or reduced-sugar filling?

You can try a reduced-sugar or sugar-free filling, but it may change the dessert’s sweetness, texture, and moisture. Follow a tested recipe when possible, then taste the finished dessert with toppings in mind, since ice cream or caramel adds more sweetness.

Can I freeze apple dump cake?

Cool the dessert, then wrap individual portions well and freeze them in airtight containers. The topping may soften after thawing, but reheating portions in the oven can bring back some crispness. For general leftover guidance, see the USDA’s freezing and food safety recommendations.

What should I serve with apple cake mix desserts?

Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or plain yogurt all pair well with warm apple cake mix desserts. Their cool, mild flavor balances the sweet apple filling.

Conclusion

Canned apple pie filling and cake mix make it easy to put together a range of warm desserts with little prep. Start with the classic dump cake, or choose a variation that fits the cake mix and toppings already in your pantry.

The dry mix and fruit do most of the work, while a change in topping or cooking method gives you a different result. These 16 recipes make it simple to find an apple dessert that suits what you have on hand.

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