Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake Recipe

Sweet Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake Recipe: A Cozy Treat

Warm, gooey, and irresistibly comforting, this apple snickerdoodle dump cake recipe brings pure dessert magic to your table.

Cinnamon swirls dance through layers of tender apples and soft cake, creating a delightful harmony of flavors.

Simple ingredients blend effortlessly to craft a dessert that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening.

Each spoonful promises a rich, decadent experience that blends classic snickerdoodle sweetness with beloved apple goodness.

The cake comes together in minutes, making it perfect for spontaneous sweet cravings or last-minute gatherings.

No complicated techniques or intricate steps stand between you and this mouthwatering treat.

You’ll fall in love with how easily this dessert transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake Wins Hearts

  • Craft a Decadent Dessert: Combine the rich, creamy texture of cheesecake with the classic crème brûlée's caramelized sugar top for a show-stopping treat that impresses guests and satisfies sweet cravings.
  • Master a Gourmet Technique: Learn to create a professional-level dessert with simple steps, including torching sugar for that signature crispy caramel layer that cracks beautifully when tapped with a spoon.
  • Customize Your Culinary Creation: Easily adapt the recipe by adding fresh berries, chocolate shavings, or a drizzle of sauce to make this dessert uniquely yours and perfect for any special occasion or dinner party.

Ingredients That Make Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake Shine

Base Ingredients:
  • Yellow Cake Mix: The dry mix that forms the cake layer of this dessert.
  • Apple Pie Filling: Provides a sweet and fruity base for the dump cake.
  • Butter: Helps create a rich, moist texture and adds flavor to the cake.
Spice and Topping Ingredients:
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that enhance the apple flavor and add depth to the dessert.
  • Granulated Sugar: Creates a sweet, crispy topping for the cake.
  • Cream of Tartar: Helps stabilize and add a slight tanginess to the sugar topping.
Optional Serving Ingredients:
  • Vanilla Ice Cream, Whipped Cream: Delicious accompaniments that complement the warm cake.

How to Easily Prepare Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray with cooking oil or rub some butter around the edges and bottom.

Step 2: Spread Apple Goodness

Open your apple pie filling and pour it smoothly across the greased dish. Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg to add some extra warmth and spice to your fruity base.

Step 3: Create Cake Layer Magic

Grab your dry yellow cake mix and shower it evenly over the apple filling. Don’t mix or stir – let the cake mix sit on top like a cozy blanket.

The apple moisture will work its magic during baking.

Step 4: Butter Drizzle Technique

Melt your butter and pour it gently across the entire cake mix surface.

Make sure you cover as much of the dry mix as possible for a deliciously rich texture.

Step 5: Craft Cinnamon Sugar Sprinkle

In a small bowl, mix together:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Cream of tartar

Shower this sweet mixture generously over the entire cake surface.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide your dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top turns golden brown and edges get delightfully crispy.

The filling should be bubbling with excitement.

Step 7: Cool And Serve

Let the cake rest for 10-15 minutes.

Scoop out generous portions and top with vanilla ice cream or fluffy whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Handy Tips to Perfect Your Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake

  • Opt for fresh, ripe apples with high water content to ensure a juicy, moist dump cake that doesn't dry out during baking.
  • Distribute cinnamon and nutmeg evenly across the apple filling to create a consistent, aromatic taste in every bite.
  • Sprinkle the dry cake mix gently and uniformly to avoid dense, uneven patches and ensure smooth cake texture.
  • Use unsalted butter and adjust sugar levels if you prefer a less sweet dessert, balancing the apple and cake mix flavors.
  • Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar or add a dollop of whipped cream for an elegant, restaurant-style finish.

Tasty Twists to Try with Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake

  • Pear Spice Swap: Replace apple pie filling with pear pie filling, adding ground ginger for a warm, seasonal flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Comfort: Use gluten-free yellow cake mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Berry Crumble Remix: Substitute apple filling with mixed berry pie filling, topping with sliced almonds for extra crunch and nutty undertones.
  • Vegan Friendly Version: Swap butter with coconut oil, use vegan cake mix, and top with dairy-free vanilla ice cream for a plant-based alternative.

Best Foods to Enjoy with Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake

  • Pair with Warming Cinnamon Whiskey: Elevate the dessert's spicy notes by serving a smooth cinnamon-infused whiskey that complements the cake's rich cinnamon-sugar topping and enhances the apple's warmth.
  • Complement with Vanilla Bean Gelato: Top the warm cake with creamy vanilla bean gelato, creating a delightful temperature contrast and adding luxurious smoothness to the rustic dessert.
  • Match with Caramel Chai Latte: Brew a spiced chai latte with caramel undertones, echoing the cake's sweet and aromatic profile while providing a comforting, spice-laden beverage experience.
  • Accent with Salted Caramel Bourbon: Serve a small glass of salted caramel bourbon that mirrors the dessert's sweet and buttery characteristics, offering a sophisticated adult pairing.

How to Keep Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake Fresh Longer

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the cake fresh and preventing moisture loss.
  • Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, preserving its delicious flavor.
  • Warm slices at 350F for 10-15 minutes, restoring the crispy top and bringing back the cake's original warmth and texture.
  • Heat individual portions for 20-30 seconds, ensuring the cake remains moist and doesn't become rubbery.

FAQs

  • What are the key ingredients for Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake?

The key ingredients include apple pie filling, yellow cake mix, butter, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and optional nutmeg and cream of tartar.

  • Can I use homemade apple pie filling instead of canned?

Yes, you can use homemade apple pie filling. Just ensure it has a similar consistency to the canned version for best results.

  • Is this recipe considered a traditional dessert?

This is a modern, easy dump cake variation that combines classic apple pie and snickerdoodle flavors into a simple one-pan dessert.

  • How do I know when the dump cake is fully baked?

The cake is done when the top is golden brown, edges are crispy, and the filling is bubbling around the sides of the baking dish.

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Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake Recipe

Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Warm, comforting apple snickerdoodle dump cake brings cinnamon-spiced magic to dessert tables with minimal effort. Layers of buttery cake, tender apples, and classic snickerdoodle flavors create a delightful treat you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake Base:

  • 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional)

Fruit Filling:

  • 2 cans (20 ounces each) apple pie filling
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

Topping and Finishing:

  • 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking dish by greasing a 9×13-inch pan with butter or cooking spray. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Distribute the apple pie filling uniformly across the greased baking dish, creating an even base layer.
  3. Dust the apple filling with ground cinnamon and nutmeg to enhance the aromatic profile.
  4. Gently cascade the dry yellow cake mix over the apple layer, ensuring complete and consistent coverage without mixing.
  5. Drizzle melted butter across the cake mix surface, promoting even moisture distribution and golden browning.
  6. Craft a fragrant cinnamon-sugar topping by combining granulated sugar, additional cinnamon, and cream of tartar in a separate container.
  7. Generously sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the entire cake surface, creating a crisp, caramelized exterior.
  8. Slide the prepared dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the top transforms into a golden, effervescent crust.
  9. Remove from oven and allow the cake to rest and settle for 10-15 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and texture to stabilize.
  10. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence.

Notes

  • Swap out yellow cake mix for gluten-free versions to accommodate dietary restrictions and ensure everyone can enjoy this delightful dessert.
  • Try different pie fillings like peach or cherry to create unique flavor combinations that surprise and delight taste buds.
  • Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts on top for extra crunch and a nutty dimension that elevates the texture of the dump cake.
  • Cool the cake completely before storing in an airtight container to maintain its crispy top and prevent sogginess, keeping the dessert fresh for 2-3 days.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 44 g
  • Sodium: 280 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 58 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg
Jess Martinez

Jess Martinez

Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health

Education

Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.


Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.

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