Brown Butter Apple Dump Cake (Easy Crockpot Dessert)
This Brown Butter Apple Dump Cake is the ultimate cozy fall and holiday dessert. Made right in the crockpot with fresh apples, brown butter, warm spices, and a simple yellow cake mix. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime you’re craving an easy apple dessert, just dump and go, the slow cooker does all of the work. I highly recommend serving with ice cream!
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
Serving: 1servingCalories: 763kcalCarbohydrates: 115gProtein: 4gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 21gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 833mgPotassium: 265mgFiber: 5gSugar: 73gVitamin A: 1038IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 224mgIron: 2mg