This easy fall dessert is the kind of recipe I love pulling out on a busy weeknight or before a casual get-together, because it turns a box of dry white cake mix and two simple seasonal ingredients into something warm, cozy, and surprisingly irresistible. It follows the classic dump-cake idea that became popular for its convenience, and this autumn version leans on spiced fruit and butter to create a golden, buttery topping over soft baked filling with almost no prep.
Serve this dessert warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for the ultimate cozy finish. If you're bringing it to a potluck or holiday dinner, it also pairs really well with coffee, chai, or hot apple cider, and a small spoonful goes a long way alongside other fall favorites.
3-Ingredient Oven-Baked Autumn White Cake Mix Dump Cake
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 box white cake mix, dry and unprepared
2 cans apple pie filling, about 21 ounces each
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an oven-safe ceramic casserole dish.
2. Spread the apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
3. Sprinkle the dry white cake mix evenly over the apple filling, covering the surface from edge to edge without stirring.
4. Drizzle the melted butter as evenly as possible over the top of the cake mix, making sure to moisten most of the surface.
5. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
6. Let the dessert rest for 10 minutes before serving so the filling settles slightly and the topping stays crisp.
Variations & Tips
Pear Version: Swap the apple pie filling for pear pie filling if you can find it. It gives the dessert a softer, mellow fall flavor that feels a little different but still cozy and easy.
Spiced Up: Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg over the fruit before the cake mix goes on if you want a stronger autumn flavor. This is a great shortcut when you want it to taste a little more homemade.
Butter Coverage Tip: Try to drizzle the melted butter as evenly as possible so you don't end up with too many dry spots. If a few patches still look powdery halfway through baking, that is normal, but thorough coverage gives the nicest golden top.
Make It Party-Friendly: This dessert travels well and can be baked a few hours ahead. I like to keep it loosely covered at room temperature, then warm it slightly before serving with ice cream for an easy potluck dessert.