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Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake

This Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake is a delightful dessert that combines juicy apples with a buttery streusel topping. It’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion, offering a comforting taste of home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Apple Filling:
  • 4 cups of peeled and sliced apples (about 45 medium apples, preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Cake Layer:
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (do not prepare as directed on the box)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • For the Buttery Streusel Topping:
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats (optional for added texture)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures a nice, even bake right from the beginning.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the peeled and sliced apples with the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until the apples are well coated. This will help the flavors meld together beautifully.
  3. Spread the apple mixture evenly in the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Make sure to distribute them evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the yellow cake mix, melted butter, egg, and milk until just combined. Avoid over-mixing; a few lumps are okay. This will keep the cake light and fluffy.
  5. Pour the cake batter evenly over the apple filling in the baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it out gently without disturbing the apple layer.
  6. In another bowl, prepare the streusel topping by mixing together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and softened butter. Use your fingertips to crumble the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. If using oats, fold them in last.
  7. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the cake batter. This will create a lovely crunchy layer once baked. Make sure to cover the batter completely for even cooking.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cake is set. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to settle and the cake to firm up slightly.

Nutrition

Keywords: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for a more complex flavor profile. Be careful not to overmix the cake batter to avoid a dense cake.