This delicious easy apple cake recipe is a snap to make! Also known as apple dump cake, it takes just one bowl and one baking pan and you are on your way to apple goodness.
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Why we love this recipe
Oh, this simple apple cake! It is one of my go-to dessert recipes, and not just because it mixes up in one bowl and bakes up in one pan.
It is also known as apple dump cake, which means exactly that. You dump all the flavorful ingredients together in that one bowl, you pop them into one baking pan, and your work is done.
Now one thing that I should confess right up front…this cake does not include fresh apples. Don’t get me wrong, I am as big a fresh apple fan as the next girl, but sometimes you aren’t in the mood for standing around for ages peeling and coring and slicing a million apples.
These are the times when it is perfectly, perfectly acceptable to reach for a can of apple pie filling. And for this particular cake, apple pie filling adds that element of sweetness and texture that makes it that much more delicious. I’m seriously not kidding here.
Ingredients you need
Ingredient additions and substitutions
- Nuts: You can leave out the nuts if you don’t like them, or if you are taking this cake to a party where you want to be respectful of nut allergies. You can also swap in pecans for the walnuts if you like those better.
- Raisins: Same with the raisins – you can either leave them out, or you can swap in dried cranberries.
- Caramel Sauce: We love this cake just the way it is, but if you pour some caramel sauce over the top you will go straight to apple cake heaven. Look for the caramel sauce near the frozen food section (because it goes so well with ice cream!)
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make this recipe
Step 2: Mix together all the ingredients called for except for the raisins and the walnuts until everything is nice and combined.
Step 3: Mix in the raisins and the walnuts until everything is fully combined.
Step 4: Scrape the batter into a 9 inch casserole or springform pan. It will be nice and thick.
Step 5: Bake until your cake is a deep golden brown, about an hour. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Let it cool and then slice it up!
Recipe FAQs
I wish I could say yes, but you do need that apple pie filling because of the sauce that comes with it in the can. I promise it will taste like fresh apples!
Apple pie filling is in the baking aisle of your friendly neighborhood supermarket.
A springform pan is a pan that has a round bottom that is separate from the sides. The sides close with a lever that closes everything up, and then when you are ready to take whatever you are baking out of the pan, move the lever to open up the sides. No more trying to wrestle something sticky out of the pan!
Pop your question (or comment, or suggestion) in the Comments section below and I will answer pronto!
Want to round out your dessert?
Not that a slice of this cake (especially when covered in caramel sauce) isn’t delectable on its own, but it’s especially nice with a cup of fresh mint tea.
Other apple recipes we love
Looking for more cake inspiration? Here is our complete collection of cake recipes!
Could you leave us some stars?
If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section.
PrintEasy Apple Cake
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
5 from 2 reviews
This delicious easy apple cake recipe is a snap to make! Also known as apple dump cake, it takes just one bowl and one baking pan and you are on your way to apple goodness.
- Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- One 21 ounce can apple pie filling
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 2 eggs, slightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Grease a 9 inch round casserole or springform pan and preheat oven to 350.
- Mix together all ingredients except raisins and nuts until well-combined. Stir in nuts and raisins and transfer mixture to baking dish.
- Bake until deep golden brown, about an hour and 15 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of the cake should come out almost clean – start testing after cake has baked for an hour.
- Let cool, and serve with caramel sauce.
Notes
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- Nuts: You can leave out the nuts if you don’t like them, or if you are taking this cake to a party where you want to be respectful of nut allergies. You can also swap in pecans for the walnuts if you like those better.
-
- Raisins: Same with the raisins – you can either leave them out, or you can swap in dried cranberries.
-
- Caramel Sauce: We love this cake just the way it is, but if you pour some caramel sauce over the top you will go straight to apple cake heaven. Look for the caramel sauce near the frozen food section (because it goes so well with ice cream!)
Cindy says
I love the simplicity of this cake! Some cake recipes get really complicated, but even I can’t mess this one up. Love it and it tastes just like fall!
Kate Morgan Jackson says
Thanks Cindy! Sometimes the simplest things are the most delicious, right? Happy Monday!
David says
I meant to say it reminded me of fruit cake my mom use make ! came out lovely and golden brown on the top!
David says
Hi just trying this now with fresh apples , will make my own pie filling with cinnamon and muscovado sugar and will leave in fridge over night and do the cake 2mmrw ! looking forward to trying it
Kate says
I’ve never made this with fresh apples, so I would love to know how it turns out for you!
David says
Hi made this a few days ago turned out great with fresh apple pie filling . I left out the vanilla and pecans and jus had fresh whipped cream with it was delicious, Thanks for the recipe its a keeper !
Kathy says
My friend and I love to get together and cook. It can be difficult at times because our husbands are so picky My turn last night. I chose the Lasagna Soup and the Easy One Bowl Apple Cake. First the Main dish. I have never heard my friends rave so much about a bowl of soup! It was a huge hit. I always hate it when people tell you how they changed this and they change that to the point it is not even the same recipe. The only thing I added was fresh garlic. The Apple Cake was just as big of a hit. I also love fresh apples, but that just would be the same here. It turned out perfect! Wouldn’t change a thing. Both to easy to make! Thanks so much!
Maud says
really good recipes. just found your page, I’m also on face book..
ry says
made it! ate it! i say that’s success! thanks again. will wait with bated breath for the peach cake recipe!
ruthie says
I used to make big batches of peach pie filling – everything you would put in the mixture when you make pie, thickener and all – put it in one pie-size freezer bags and stack them up in the freezer. I’m not sure how this would work for apples – you might need to add lemon juice so they don’t discolor – but seems like it might work. So, those of you who prefer fresh apples could give that a try in apple season, and you, Kate, still wouldn’t have to can! ;)
I have Comstock Apple Pie Filling on my grocery list. Ahem. I think I will make this in small pans to freeze, since we aren’t real big on sweets here. But a nice warm slice of this will some caramel sauce sounds like heaven.
Kate says
Oooh, peach cake….I am tempted. Very tempted.
Candice@NotesFromABroad says
Hi, lol, I am still laughing at Joanne licking the computer screen !
We are moving back to the US in about 3-4weeks and I keep dreaming of the foods that I will eat again. Apple pies are up there on the list, now apple cake has been added too.
Besos, Candice
Kate says
Hurray and let me be among the first to say welcome back! :)
Debby says
I’ve kept “Love Shack” in my life…. it’s on my house cleaning cd. :D
Kate says
PERFECT house cleaning song!! For a nice clean love shack. :)
ColleenB. says
Looks Yummy! Think I gained a couple pounds just seeing this recipe but will be making this for sure as hubby has quitye the sweet tooth.
Instead of canned apple pie filling; about how many fresh apples would be required ?
I have an apple peeler so doesn’t take long at all to peel and core an apple.
Thank you
ColleenB.
Kate says
Hi Colleen! The can has 21 ounces of apples in it, which looks to be about two cups. They are definitely cooked, so you would want to saute your peeled and sliced apples in a little water and brown sugar before you put them in the mixture, I think (I’ve never tried this recipe with fresh apples so I’m just guessing here!) I would think 5 or 6 apples would do it?
ColleenB. says
thank you.
I had made this over the weekend and my hubby Loved it. I had no fresh apples so did end up using canned but did drizzle with Smuckers Marshmallow topping as well as the caramel and DH thought it was wonderful and went back for a second piece….only bigger slice second time around. :}
Recipe is keeper for sure but do think the next time I will use fresh apples
Kate says
Hurray! Come back after you try the fresh apple version and let us know, ok? :)
Joanne says
I seriously just tried to lick that caramel sauce off my computer screen. So sad it didn’t work. You are invited to my apartment ANY TIME. So long as this cake is in tow. :P
Kate says
That caramel sauce should be classified as a controlled substance! Soooooo good.
Kelly says
I cqnned apple pie filling in the fall. This will be a perfect way to use it! Looks delicious. Thanks.
Kate says
Yes, perfect! (And I am impressed – I have never tried canning! One day…)
Sharen Eskridge says
Hi Kate, Remember you from days past in Saddle River when Ira B and I were always together. Canning is easy and the easiest thing to can is tomatoes because they are easy to peel, process and achieve a good product with little effort.
Kate says
Hi Sharon – I’m so glad you found me! One day I will try canning – it’s on my culinary bucket list!
Steph says
That is a great cake! Thanks for the post! I love quick cake recipes that don’t involve me peeling and cutting apples!!!!
Kate says
My pleasure (and I feel the same way about the peeling!) :)
Karen Nelson says
Bang, Bang, Bang on the door… Love Shack! Baby Love Shack!
Oh my gosh … LOVE THIS SONG…an all time fav!
Pretty hard to sit still listening to it. Wasn’t sure when I hit the link what I was going to hear!
Therefore, I will have to make this beautiful cake, listen to Love Shack at a semi-respectable level
and dance with wreck less abandon… you know.. like nobody is watching:-)!
Thanks for the big smile Kate, and Happy Hearts Day to you and your Southern Hubby!!<3
Kate says
Hurray! Hope you had a lovely happy Valentine’s Day too! :) :)
Rachel says
Love one bowl cakes. What is in that can? Just sliced stewed apples – what would it take to replicate it with fresh apples?
Kate says
H Rachel – here are the can ingredients: APPLES, LIQUID SUGAR (NATURAL SUGAR, WATER), WATER, FOOD STARCH-MODIFIED, NATURAL FLAVOR, SPICES, ERYTHORBIC ACID (TO PROMOTE COLOR RETENTION), CITRIC ACID. So it looks like apples that have been cooked in sugar, maybe with some cinnamon?