Looking for a delicious Apple Cranberry Dump Cake that’s quick, easy, and family-friendly? This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions, offering a comforting, customizable dessert everyone will love. With juicy apples, tart cranberries, and a sweet, golden cake topping, this one-pan treat is balanced, simple, and stress-free. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying your first dump cake, this Apple Cranberry Dump Cake delivers flavor and warmth in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re searching for an easy Apple Cranberry Dump Cake that combines comfort, flavor, and simplicity, this recipe is your go-to dessert. This Apple Cranberry Dump Cake is perfect for busy weeknights, family gatherings, or special occasions because it requires minimal prep but delivers maximum taste. Fresh apples and tart cranberries create a vibrant, juicy filling, while the golden, buttery cake topping adds a sweet, satisfying crunch.
What makes this Apple Cranberry Dump Cake so special is how customizable it is—you can adjust the sweetness, add cinnamon or nuts, or even use frozen fruit when fresh isn’t available. It’s a one-pan wonder, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy with loved ones. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying a dessert for the first time, this easy apple cranberry dump cake recipe brings warmth, flavor, and comfort to your table. Its classic, old-fashioned charm ensures it will become a favorite in your dessert rotation.
Ingredients for This Recipe
The magic of this Apple Cranberry Dump Cake starts with fresh, flavorful ingredients that are easy to assemble. Juicy apples provide a sweet, tender base, while tart cranberries add a vibrant pop of flavor that balances perfectly with the buttery cake topping. A touch of sugar and cinnamon enhances the natural sweetness and warms the overall flavor, making this easy Apple Cranberry Dump Cake irresistible. Using a boxed yellow or spice cake mix keeps preparation simple, while melted butter creates a golden, crispy top that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re making this for a family dinner, holiday gathering, or casual weeknight dessert, these ingredients combine for a comforting, customizable treat everyone will love.
🛒 Ingredients:
- 3 cups apples, peeled and sliced
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 box yellow or spice cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
This combination makes the Apple Cranberry Dump Cake sweet, tangy, and perfectly textured, every single time.
How to Make This Recipe
Making this Apple Cranberry Dump Cake is simple, stress-free, and perfect for both beginner and experienced bakers. The beauty of this easy Apple Cranberry Dump Cake lies in its layered simplicity: juicy apples and tart cranberries form a flavorful base, while the cake mix and melted butter create a sweet, golden topping. You don’t need any special techniques—just layer, pour, and bake for a comforting dessert that everyone will love. This recipe is flexible, allowing you to customize sweetness, spices, or even add nuts for extra texture. By following these simple steps, you’ll have a classic, old-fashioned dessert ready in under an hour.
📝 Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with butter or nonstick spray
- Layer 3 cups peeled and sliced apples evenly on the bottom
- Sprinkle 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries over the apples
- Add 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon evenly over the fruit
- Pour 1 box of yellow or spice cake mix gently on top—do not stir
- Drizzle ½ cup melted butter evenly over the cake mix
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, until golden and bubbly
- Let cool slightly before serving; enjoy warm with ice cream if desired
This method ensures your Apple Cranberry Dump Cake comes out perfectly every time—sweet, tangy, and irresistibly moist.
Expert Cooking Tips
Creating the perfect Apple Cranberry Dump Cake is all about understanding your ingredients and how they work together. Juicy apples provide sweetness and texture, while fresh or frozen cranberries add a tangy brightness that balances the dessert. The sugar and cinnamon enhance the natural flavors, and using a boxed cake mix simplifies preparation while producing a golden, fluffy topping. Melted butter ensures a crisp, irresistible crust. By knowing these key ingredients, you can adjust sweetness, spice levels, or fruit ratios to create a customized easy Apple Cranberry Dump Cake every time.
🛒 Tips with Ingredients:
- 3 cups apples, peeled and sliced → Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for the best texture
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries → Fresh is ideal for color; frozen works year-round
- 2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute → Adjust depending on apple sweetness
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon → Adds warmth; optional nutmeg enhances flavor
- 1 box yellow or spice cake mix → Forms the sweet, golden topping
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted → Drizzled for crispness and richness
Follow these tips, and your Apple Cranberry Dump Cake will always be moist, flavorful, and perfectly balanced.
FAQs
1. What is a dump cake?
A dump cake is a simple dessert where you literally “dump” fruit, sugar, and cake mix into a pan, then bake it. This Apple Cranberry Dump Cake version layers juicy apples and tart cranberries for a flavorful, easy dessert.
2. Why is it called a dump cake?
It’s called a dump cake because the preparation involves dumping ingredients directly into a baking dish without complicated mixing. The result is a quick, stress-free dessert like this easy Apple Cranberry Dump Cake.
3. What’s the biggest mistake to avoid when making dump cake?
The most common mistake is stirring the cake mix into the fruit. For the perfect Apple Cranberry Dump Cake, pour the dry cake mix on top and leave it untouched for a golden, crisp topping.
4. Can I use fresh or frozen cranberries?
Both work! Fresh cranberries give a vibrant color, while frozen are convenient and just as tasty in this Apple Cranberry Dump Cake.
5. How can I make it extra moist or sweet?
Add a touch more sugar or drizzle a little extra melted butter over the top. This enhances both sweetness and moistness in your easy Apple Cranberry Dump Cake.
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This Apple Cranberry Dump Cake is the perfect blend of sweet and tart, simple to prepare, and ideal for family gatherings, holidays, or weeknight desserts. Using fresh apples, juicy cranberries, and a buttery cake topping, this easy Apple Cranberry Dump Cake delivers comfort and flavor in every bite. Its minimal prep and customizable ingredients make it a go-to dessert for beginners and experienced bakers alike. Try it warm with a scoop of ice cream for an irresistible treat that will become a family favorite.
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Apple Cranberry Dump Cake
Description
A tart and sweet dessert combining apples and cranberries for a festive twist.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients:
3 cups apples, peeled and sliced
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 box yellow or spice cake mix
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch dish.
Toss apples and cranberries with sugar and cinnamon; spread in dish.
Sprinkle cake mix over fruit.
Drizzle melted butter on top.
Bake 35–40 minutes until golden.