This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.
Learn how to make apple dump cake in your crockpot for the easiest dessert ever! A crockpot cake is a low-fuss and easy-clean-up recipe that you will want to make all fall when apples are in season.
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this cake – so get apple season going with one of my favorite fall desserts.
BEST Apple Dump Cake
Have you ever heard of a dump cake? It’s a super easy dessert where you “dump” all of your ingredients into a pan and bake it. Or, in the case of this apple dump cake I’m sharing, you dump everything in your crockpot. It’s one of the easiest desserts ever.
There are a thousand ways to make a dump cake – they’re usually made with fruit and cake mix – and for fall there’s nothing better than this crockpot apple cake recipe. I love apple recipes and it’s just as delicious as an apple crisp or apple crumble but easier to make.
Six Ingredients in Dump Cake
- Apples: I like Granny Smith apples best, the tart with the sweet. They are also sturdy enough they don’t get mushy in the crockpot.
- Granulated Sugar: To sweeten the apples
- Cinnamon: Can’t have apple desserts without cinnamon!
- Yellow Cake Mix: This is the magic of a dump cake – dumping in the cake mix!
- Oats: Quick oats or old-fashioned oats make this more of a crumble
- Sliced Butter: The butter melts as the cake cooks creating that crumbly top.
How to Make Apple Dump Cake
- Apples: Once you’ve peeled, cored, and diced your apples just pile them in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar over the top.
- Dump: Pour the cake mix and oats into the slow cooker so they are cover the apples.
- Butter: Place the sliced butter in an even layer over the top of the cake mix and oats.
- Cook: Secure the lid and cook the cake for four hours on high. That’s it. Easiest crockpot apple cake ever.
Tip From Dorothy
Expert Tips
- First rule of crockpots is that all crockpots are different! Depending on your model this cake may take more or less time.
- The first time you make this, I recommend checking on the cake after 1 ½ hours of cooking time just in case your slow cooker runs hot.
- You can tell when the cake is done when all the butter is melted and the cake mix doesn’t look like powder. The top of the cake should be golden brown.
- To keep the moisture in balance, sometimes I place a paper towel between the lid and the insert which will absorb a lot of the condensation early in the cooking time. After two hours I remove it so the liquid that is created inside the crockpot will dissolve the cake mix.
Crockpot Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 5-7 Granny Smith Apples
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon divided
- 1 approx 15 ounce box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup (43g) quick cooking oats
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter , sliced thin
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice your apples. I used 7 because mine were small. If you’re using large, you can use less. Apples should be thin and bite sized.
- Spray crockpot with cooking spray.
- Place apples in the bottom of your crockpot. Sprinkle with sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Place the cake mix in a large bowl. Add the oats and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir, then sprinkle over the top of the apples. Drop slices of the butter over the top of the cake mix.
- Cover the crockpot with a paper towel then place the lid on. Cook on high for 4 hours. I recommend checking the cake after an hour and a half and then again each 30 minutes to make sure it's cooking evenly and doesn't burn. All crockpots cook differently so this is important. If it's too hot on one side, roate the liner.
- Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Recipe Nutrition
Other Apple + Crockpot Favorites
Make Apple Dump Cake in the crockpot! This slow cooker dessert recipe uses cake mix and makes an easy apple crisp with just a few ingredients. This is the best recipe for apple dump cake you’ll ever make!
Last Updated on September 21, 2023
I can’t wait to try this. I think I’m going to use a spice cake instead of the yellow. 😋 Thank you for the recipe.
I didn’t think it was the greatest. I wouldn’t make it again.
What temp on crockpot? High or low
I usually do it on high but you can do it on either, it’ll just take longer on low.
Dorothy, this was delicious! And such a convenient dessert that I served to my dinner party guests! I made it in my 9×13 rectangular crockpot & it turned out perfectly!
Thank you for such an awesome recipe!
Lisa
This was amazing! I added about a half teaspoon of fresh lemon zest with a squeeze of lemon juice – over the apples before adding the cake mix. I did use sugar, but I used turbinado sugar instead of white. It was a huge hit! Served with vanilla ice cream.
Is there any way to do this without the cinnamon like use vanilla extract instead? I have acid reflux and cinnamon upsets it🥺
You can for sure omit the cinnamon. It’s not something that will affect the overall structure. Feel free to add vanilla or other spices if you want to jazz it up a bit.
Can’t wait to try this! I love apple desserts, too! But I don’t have a crock pot. How can i make it without one?!?
Thank you!
Use the ingredients in the recipe, but then do the directions as this one states: https://www.crazyforcrust.com/cherry-berry-dump-cake/
This was fantastic! I have always been afraid to try cakes in the crock pot but had some amazing apples and couldn’t resist trying this. I’m so glad I did! Easy and delicious
I was just wondering if the Granny Smith apples could be substituted for a red baking apple. My family doesn’t really like green apples.
Can you tell me the nutrient information on this? How many carbs calories sugar per one cup? Thank you
Featured In
Rate This Recipe