This easy first-day-of-fall dessert is a classic dump-cake style bake, the kind of homespun Midwestern treat that turns pantry staples into something warm, buttery, and crowd-pleasing with very little effort. Using dry yellow cake mix scattered right into a sheet pan creates a tender, golden topping over soft fruit, making it ideal for busy weeknights, potlucks, or any moment when you want the kitchen to smell like fall without fussing over a complicated pastry.
Serve this dessert warm with vanilla ice cream, lightly sweetened whipped cream, or a spoonful of Greek yogurt for a nice contrast to the rich cake topping. For an even more autumnal finish, pair it with hot coffee, chai, or apple cider, and if you're bringing it to a gathering, a bowl of toasted pecans on the side lets guests add a little crunch.
6-Ingredient First Day of Fall Yellow Cake Mix Apple Dump Cake
Servings: 12
Ingredients
1 box yellow cake mix, dry
2 cans apple pie filling, about 21 ounces each
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a rimmed sheet pan or 9x13-inch baking pan if you prefer a thicker dessert.
2. Spread the apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg over the fruit.
3. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the top of the apples, covering the surface as uniformly as possible without stirring.
4. Drizzle the melted butter as evenly as you can over the cake mix, then scatter the chopped pecans on top.
5. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown, the edges are bubbling, and the fruit is hot throughout.
6. Let the dessert cool for 10 to 15 minutes before scooping and serving warm.
Variations & Tips
Pear version: Swap the apple pie filling for pear filling or sliced canned pears tossed with a little brown sugar and cinnamon for a softer, mellow fall flavor.
Nut-free option: Leave out the pecans if needed. The dessert will still bake up beautifully, and you can add a little extra cinnamon on top for more aroma.
Butter coverage tip: Try to drizzle the melted butter over as much of the dry cake mix as possible. Any very dry patches may stay powdery, so a slow, even drizzle makes for the best golden crust.
Texture note: This dessert is meant to be rustic rather than perfectly uniform. Some spots will be crisp and buttery while others stay soft from the fruit underneath, and that contrast is part of its appeal.