This 3-Ingredient Apple Cake Is The Easiest Way To Ring In Autumn

Autumn is here, and what better way to celebrate the leaves changing than with some of our favorite fall flavors? If you're looking to start the season off right, you can use just three ingredients to transform ordinary boxed cake mix into a delectable apple dump cake that will make you want to keep baking throughout the season.

To make your apple dump cake, all you need is apple pie filling, boxed cake mix, and some melted butter. Simply spread your pie filling evenly on the bottom of an oven-safe pan, spread the cake mix on top of it, and pour the butter on top. Then bake (you may wish to go a bit beyond the recommended time on the box due to the added moisture). It's that easy! 

If you're wondering where dump cake gets its name, it's because you simply "dump" all the ingredients into the pan without ceremony. The only thing you need to remember about your apple dump cake is that the pie filling doesn't form a solid base, so it admittedly doesn't hold together well. Just use a spoon instead of a serving knife, and don't worry about it breaking apart while you serve it. This is a simple, easy dessert that's not meant to look neat or perfect, and it'll taste delicious either way.

One of the best parts of this recipe is that it's incredibly easy to customize. Swap out the apple pie filling for pumpkin to create an easy pumpkin pie, or add seasonings like pumpkin pie spice seasoning blend to give it an extra fall flavor boost. Blackberry and cherry are also popular dump cake flavors that are great for ringing in fall. While we're at it, if you can't decide on one filling, don't be afraid to mix some together.

The filling isn't the only part you can customize. Try different boxed cake mixes to really make your treat stand out. Yellow cake mix is the most common, but it's far from the only one that can make a delicious apple-forward dump cake. Chocolate and strawberry are both common boxed cake flavors that go great with this fruit, or if you're celebrating a special occasion, try birthday cake mix. You can even use pumpkin spice cake mix to really make your cake taste like autumn.

Once your cake comes out of the oven, go the extra mile with some delicious toppings. Vanilla ice cream is a classic, but there's an entire world of frosty possibilities out there. Whipped cream and gelato both go wonderfully on a dump cake. Gelato has more differences from ice cream than you'd think, so even the same flavors of gelato or ice cream can make your cake taste like an entirely different dessert.