Description
This Apple Dump Cake elevates a classic pantry staple by using fresh, tart apples and a bold spice cake mix for a dessert that is both effortless and sophisticated. With its buttery, golden crust and tender fruit center, it is the ultimate comfort food for any gathering.
Ingredients
- 7-8 medium fresh apples (suggested mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith), peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
- 1 box (15.25 oz) spice cake mix
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 to 1 cup high-quality salted butter, cold
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 heavy pinch ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and heavily grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter.
- Layer the peeled and sliced apples in the bottom of the prepared pan, then toss them directly in the pan with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly coated.
- Pour the spice cake mix over the apple layer and spread it into an even, light layer using a spatula without packing it down.
- Thinly slice the cold butter into pats and arrange them across the top of the cake mix, ensuring as much surface area as possible is covered.
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the fruit layer is bubbling; check halfway through to add small bits of butter to any visible dry flour spots.
- Allow the cake to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving to let the juices thicken into a syrup consistency.
Notes
For the best texture, ensure your butter is very cold when slicing to help it melt slowly and evenly into the cake mix rather than soaking in all at once. If you prefer a more textured topping, you can sprinkle a handful of chopped pecans over the butter layer before baking. Using a mix of sweet and tart apples is key to providing a complex flavor profile that balances the sweetness of the pre-made cake mix.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American