Cinnamon Toast Crunch Apple Dump Cake
We partner with trusted companies that offer products which help our readers achieve their goals! If you purchase through our partner links, we get paid for the referral at no additional cost to you! Read our disclosure for more info.
This easy Cinnamon Toast Crunch apple dump cake combines gooey apple pie filling with buttery cake mix and crunchy cinnamon cereal. It’s the perfect shortcut dessert for fall gatherings, potlucks or weeknight cravings.
For more shortcut recipes with cake mix, try my rainbow poke cake or vanilla cake mix crinkle cookies.
TL;DR: Cinnamon Toast Crunch Apple Dump Cake
- Easy fall dessert: Just layer the ingredients in a 9×13 pan and bake.
- Sweet and crunchy: Gooey apple pie filling is topped with buttery cake mix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and cinnamon brown sugar.
- Quick prep: Only about 10 minutes of hands-on time before it goes in the oven.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love an easy cake mix dessert, especially when it turns a few simple ingredients into something this fun. This apple dump cake starts with canned apple pie filling and cake mix, then Cinnamon Toast Crunch adds an extra layer of cinnamon flavor and crunch. If you love easy cake mix treats, try my churro cookies or next.
It’s also such an easy way to get those classic apple pie flavors without making a pie from scratch. For another simple apple dessert, these apple hand pies have the same warm cinnamon-apple flavor wrapped in flaky pie crust.
Ingredient Notes
Find the full recipe with printable directions below.
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch: Adds extra cinnamon flavor and a sweet, crunchy layer throughout the dump cake.
- Yellow cake mix: Creates the buttery cake layer without needing to mix up a homemade batter. A white cake mix or spice cake mix would also work.
- Apple pie filling: Two cans make up the gooey apple base and keep this dessert super easy. If you have homemade apple filling that can be used.
- Unsalted butter: Sliced over the cake mix to help it bake up rich and golden, with a little reserved for the cinnamon sugar drizzle.
- Brown sugar: Mixed with melted butter and cinnamon for an extra caramel-like topping.
- Cinnamon: Boosts the warm cinnamon flavor in the cereal and apple filling.
How to Make Cinnamon Toast Crunch Apple Dump Cake
Step 1: Spread half of the Cinnamon Toast Crunch in the bottom of the 13×9 baking dish, then spoon the apple pie filling evenly over the cereal.
Step 2: Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the apples in an even layer. Don’t stir it into the filling.
Step 3: Reserve ¼ cup of the butter, then slice the remaining butter and arrange it evenly over the cake mix.
Step 4: Sprinkle the remaining cereal over the top.
SIGNUP FOR EMAIL UPDATES
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @POPTHEKITCHEN
Step 5: Melt the reserved butter and stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon. Drizzle the mixture over the cereal topping.
Step 6: Bake at 350°F for 40–50 minutes, until the apple filling is bubbling and the cake layer is set. Cool for 15–20 minutes before serving warm.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Don’t stir the layers. Keep the cereal, apple filling and cake mix layered so the top bakes up properly instead of turning gummy.
- Slice the butter thinly. Spreading the slices evenly over the cake mix helps prevent dry patches.
- Save some butter for the drizzle. The melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon mixture adds even more flavor and helps the cereal topping get extra delicious.
- Watch for bubbling edges. The dump cake is ready when the apple filling is bubbling and the cake layer looks set and golden.
- Serve it warm. Let it cool for about 15–20 minutes, then serve while the topping is still crisp. A scoop of vanilla ice cream would be perfect on top.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Apple Dump Cake FAQs
Yes. Another crunchy cinnamon cereal would work best so you still get that warm cinnamon flavor. Just choose one that will hold up well during baking rather than a delicate cereal that may soften too quickly.
This usually happens when parts of the cake mix aren’t covered with enough butter. Slice the butter thinly and spread it as evenly as possible over the entire surface of the cake mix before baking. You can also check the cake near the end of baking and add a little melted butter to any obviously dry spots.
No. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the apple pie filling and leave the layers separate. Mixing them together will change the texture of the dump cake.
The apple filling should be bubbling around the edges and the cake layer should look set and golden. This usually takes about 40–50 minutes at 350°F.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 3 cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal , divide
- 13.25 ounce yellow cake mix
- 42 ounces apple pie filling , 2 cans
- 1 cup unsalted butter , divided
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F degrees and spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spread half the cereal in an even layer on the bottom of the baking dish. Top with the apple pie filling.
- Sprinkle the cake mix over the top of the pie filling. Spread in an even layer, but do not mix the cake mix into the apples.
- Set aside ¼ cup of butter, then cut the remaining butter into thin slices. Arrange the slices on the top of the cake mix.
- Sprinkle the remaining cereal over the top of the butter.
- In a small bowl, melt the remaining ¼ cup of butter. Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon until well blended. Drizzle the mixture over the top of the dessert.
- Place in the oven to bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the cake layer has set.
- Allow to cool in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes, then serve warm.
