Crockpot Apple Dump Cake Recipe - Crazy for Crust (2024)

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.

How to Prep Apples for Cake

I usually use five to seven apples for this recipe. I love Granny Smith because they are really tart and hold their shape even after cooking for several hours.

If your apples are big you can use less, but the recipe is pretty forgiving so don’t stress it too much!

Because I am apple obsessed, I use anapple peeler toolthat makes peeling and coring the apples really easy. But, you can also do it by hand:

• Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin
• Cut the apples into quarters and then, using a paring knife, cut the cores out.

How to Make Apple Dump Cake

1. 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.
2. Dump: Pour the cake mix and oats into the slow cooker so they are cover the apples.
3. Butter: Place the sliced butter in an even layer over the top of the cake mix and oats.
4. Cook: Secure the lid and cook the cake for four hours on high. That’s it. Easiest crockpot apple cake ever.

Homemade Cake Mix vs Boxed Cake Mix

What makes this such an easy dessert is using cake mix, but I understand if that’s not your thing! You could try usinghomemade yellow cake mix, but (full disclosure!) I’ve never tried it, but a few readers have with success!

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.

How to Serve Apple Dump Cake

Grab a serving spoon and scoop it into bowls! It’s delicious just as it is, but here are some ideas to dress it up:

• Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. As it melts it will mix with all of that apple goodness!
• A dollop of whipped cream is delicious, too.
• Add a drizzle (or whole glug!) of salted caramel sauce for an extra-decadent treat.
• Keep it simple and dust each serving with some powdered sugar.

Other Apple + Crockpot Favorites

• Apple Crumble Bars
• Slow Cooker Monkey Bread
• Crockpot Brownie Pudding
• Crumb Apple Pie
• Or try Apple Dumplings!