There’s nothing more comforting than the smell of apples and cinnamon filling the kitchen, and this Brown Butter Apple Dump Cake delivers all that with hardly any effort! Fresh apples are tossed with nutty brown butter, sugar, and apple pie spice, layered under a yellow cake mix. Perfect for crowds, this dessert couldn’t be more effortless as the slow cooker does all the work. Serve warm with your favorite vanilla bean or praline ice cream.
I prefer using fresh apples instead of canned apple filling, that way I can customize the size and sweetness more. Canned apple pie filling can be used if desired to make this even more simple! If you’re new to dump cakes, they are about as simple as it comes. The boxed cake mix isn’t even mixed, just simply sprinkle it over the apples!
Adding brown butter to this instead of plain melted butter gives a rich, nutty flavor, that pairs perfectly with the apple pie spice. If you like this easy dessert, try my apple cider donut muffins or these apple coffee cake cookies! Find all of my yummy dessert recipes here for more inspiration.
Why You’ll Love This Brown Butter Cake
- Effortless Dessert: Made in the crockpot with minimal prep = perfect for busy days or holiday gatherings.
- Fresh + Flavorful: Uses real apples for a cozy, homemade taste (not just canned apple pie filling).
- Brown Butter Upgrade: Adds rich, nutty flavor that sets this dump cake apart from the rest.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Warm, spiced apples with a buttery topping, always a hit with family and guests when paired with ice cream!
- Holiday-Ready: A simple but special dessert that feels right at home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any fall celebration (and leaves your house smelling great!).
What Is Dump Cake?
A dump cake is one of the easiest desserts you can make! It gets its name from the way the ingredients are literally “dumped” into the baking dish or slow cooker. Instead of mixing a batter, you layer a filling (typically fruit) on the bottom, sprinkle a boxed cake mix over the top, and finish with butter. As it bakes, the fruit gets soft and bubbly while the cake mix turns into a golden topping.
Key Cake Ingredients
Unsalted Butter: Brown it for a nutty, caramel flavor. Salted butter works too if you cut back on added salt.
Brown Sugar: Sweetens the apples and adds caramel depth. White sugar or coconut sugar also work.
Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and rounds out the flavors. Almond extract is a fun twist.
Apple Pie Spice: Cozy blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Make your own with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of allspice or cloves.
All-Purpose Flour: Lightly thickens the apple mixture. Cornstarch can be swapped in.
Apples: Fresh apples give the best texture. A mix of sweet and tart like Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith is even better.
Yellow Cake Mix: Creates a buttery, golden topping. Spice cake mix works too for extra holiday flavor.
Vanilla Ice Cream: Classic pairing for serving. Whipped cream or praline ice cream also work.
How to Make The Apple Dump Cake
Let’s talk a little about how to make the Brown Butter Apple Dump Cake (Easy Crockpot Dessert) (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Quick overview:
- Brown the butter. Combine apple filling.
- Top with cake mix and butter, slow cook for 4 hours.
- Enjoy ice cream.
- To make the brown butter, add butter to a large skillet, heat over medium-high heat stirring constantly for 7-10 minutes until the butter starts to brown. Scrape any brown bits off the bottom. Remove butter from the heat before it burns, you want it to have a dark amber color and nutty smell.
- Add brown butter to the base of a slow cooker along with brown sugar, vanilla, flour, apple pie spice, and salt. Mix to combine. Add in the prepared apple slices and stir to coat evenly.
- Spread the apples out in a single layer, sprinkle the package of yellow cake mix over top of the apples, do not stir in. Arrange the slices of butter overtop in an even layer.
- Cover slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours. Serve apple cake warm with softened vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
Rachel’s Chef Tips
- Brown Your Butter Right: Watch closely as the butter cooks, once it turns golden with tiny brown specks and a nutty aroma, pull it off the heat to avoid burning. It will continue to cook a bit in the hot pan.
- Apple Variety Matters: A mix of tart and sweet apples (like cosmic, pink lady, honey crisp, or granny smith) keeps the flavor balanced and prevents the dessert from being overly sweet.
- Layer With Care: Spread the cake mix evenly over the apples, then top with evenly cut butter slices to get that golden, crisp topping. Don’t mix the cake mix into the apples!
- Serving Ideas: This dump cake is best warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, but you can dress it up with a drizzle of caramel, chopped pecans, or as is!
- Shortcut Swap: No time to peel apples? Leave the skins on for extra texture, they’ll soften as the dump cake cooks.
Brown Butter Apple Dump Cake (Easy Crockpot Dessert)
Equipment
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp Apple pie spice
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 8 cups Gala or Pink Lady apples (6-8 large apples), peeled, cored, and sliced
For the topping:
- 1, 15.25 oz. box Yellow cake mix, do not prepare
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, softened, cut into 10-12 slices
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- To make the brown butter, add butter to a large skillet, heat over medium-high heat stirring constantly for 7-10 minutes until the butter starts to brown. Scrape any brown bits off the bottom. Remove butter from the heat before it burns, you want it to have a dark amber color and nutty smell.1/2 cup Unsalted butter
- Add brown butter to the base of a slow cooker along with brown sugar, vanilla, flour, apple pie spice, and salt. Mix to combine. Add in the prepared apple slices and stir to coat evenly.1/2 cup Brown sugar, 1 tbsp Vanilla extract, 1 tbsp Apple pie spice , 2 tbsp All-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp Kosher salt , 8 cups Gala or Pink Lady apples (6-8 large apples)
- Spread the apples out in a single layer, sprinkle the package of yellow cake mix over top of the apples, do not stir in. Arrange the slices of butter overtop in an even layer.1, 15.25 oz. box Yellow cake mix, 1/2 cup Unsalted butter
- Cover slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours. Serve apple cake warm with softened vanilla ice cream and enjoy!Vanilla ice cream
Notes
- Brown the Butter: Don’t skip this step! Brown butter adds a nutty, caramel-like flavor that takes this dump cake to the next level.
- Choose the Right Apples: I prefer fresh apples to canned apple pie filling, honey crisp, granny smith, gala, cosmic, or pink lady apples are all good choices.
- Even Butter Distribution: Slice butter evenly and spread it across the cake mix layer so the topping bakes golden and crisp.
- Serving Tip: Serve warm straight from the crockpot with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the ultimate comfort dessert. I like to serve in coffee mugs or soup bowls so guests can easily grab a cup!
- Make Ahead Friendly: Prep the apples in advance and refrigerate, then just dump and cook when needed.
Nutrition
If you enjoyed this recipe, I would appreciate if you left a star rating on the recipe card above or a comment below sharing your experience! I value your feedback, it would also mean a lot if you could share this recipe or my website with friends or loved ones. Cheers!
Storage, Reheating, & Serving
Storage: Allow the dump cake to cool completely, then cover the crockpot base or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: Warm single servings in the microwave in 30-second increments until heated through. For larger portions, bake in a 325°F oven for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and hot.
Serving: serve in mugs or small bowls with vanilla or praline ice cream, a drizzle of caramel or a handful of chopped nuts adds extra texture and flavor. This can also be made in a baking dish, in a 350 degree F. oven for 55-60 minutes!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! While I recommend fresh apples for the best texture and flavor, canned apple pie filling works as a shortcut. Just reduce the sugar slightly since the filling is already sweetened. Using fresh apples allows you to control the texture and flavor more.
Absolutely. Layer the apples, cake mix, and butter in a 9×13-inch baking dish and bake at 350°F for 55-60 minutes, until the top is golden and the apples are bubbly.
No! The beauty of a dump cake is that everything stays layered, the fruit bakes down, and the butter melts into the cake mix to create the topping. No need to prepare the cake mix or mix it into the apples.
I like granny smith, honey crisp, gala, or cosmic apples best for my apple desserts!
Yes, you can prep the apple layer in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready, add the cake mix and butter right before cooking.
Vanilla ice cream is classic, but praline or pecan ice cream, caramel sauce, or candied nuts are great also.
Tools I Recommend
- Slow Cooker – I like a large 6-8 quart slow cooker with different settings, mine has a timer which is nice if you are cooking during the day while you’re out and about.
- Wooden Spoons – wooden utensils are my go to since they don’t scratch my cooking surfaces.
- Coffee Mugs – I love these for serving soups, desserts (like this cake!), or beverages to guests!
Did you try this recipe?
Let me know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing your final dish on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest!
Cheers!
-Rachel
