Christmas Dump Cake

Christmas Dump Cake Recipe Highlights

• 4 ingredients and 5 minutes prep time
• Uses pantry staples you probably have on hand
• Serves 12 people without breaking a sweat
• Works perfectly for potlucks since it travels well
• Tastes better the next day after flavors meld

APPLE PIE FILLING – This gives you the sweet apple base without the work of peeling and slicing. Look for cans where you can actually see apple chunks through the glass or on the label photo. The really thick, gloopy fillings turn into mush, but ones with visible pieces keep some texture. Two cans fill a 9×13 inch pan perfectly and give you enough fruit to balance the crumb topping.

CRANBERRY SAUCE – Get the whole berry kind, not the jellied stuff that slides out in a can-shaped blob. Those whole cranberries burst when they heat up and create little pockets of tart flavor. The jellied version just melts into the apples and disappears. One 14-ounce can is the sweet spot for tartness without making anyone pucker.

CINNAMON SWIRL CRUMB CAKE MIX – This is worth hunting down because it comes with a separate cinnamon sugar packet that creates those bakery-style swirls. Krusteaz and Duncan Hines both make them. When you mix it with melted butter, you get those perfect crumbly bits instead of a solid cake layer. Regular cake mix works in a pinch but won’t have the same cinnamon punch.

BUTTER – Unsalted lets you control the salt level since the pie filling and cake mix already have plenty. Melt it completely so it mixes evenly with the cake mix. Cold butter leaves you with dry patches and butter puddles instead of those crispy golden crumbles everyone fights over.

How To Make A Christmas Dump Cake

Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

Leftovers

STORE – Keep your Christmas Dump Cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The fruit layer actually improves after a day as the flavors meld together and the crumb topping softens slightly from the moisture.

FREEZE – Wrap individual portions or the whole pan in plastic wrap, then cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

REHEAT – Warm portions in the oven at 300° Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through. The oven crisps up the topping better than the microwave, though microwave works in a pinch for individual servings at 30-second intervals.

MAKE AHEAD – Assemble the dump cake up to 24 hours ahead and store covered in the refrigerator. Add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time since you’re starting with cold ingredients.

More Dump Cake Recipes

Serving Suggestions

VANILLA ICE CREAM – The cold, creamy texture provides a perfect temperature contrast against the warm fruit and creates that melted pool of vanilla around each slice. Serve the dump cake warm from the oven for maximum effect.

WHIPPED CREAM – A generous dollop adds richness without overpowering the fruit flavors. Real whipped cream works better than the aerosol kind, which can taste artificial next to the homemade-tasting fruit.

HOLIDAY BRUNCH – Serve this as a coffee cake alternative at Christmas morning brunch. The fruit and crumb topping feel appropriate for morning without being too heavy or sweet.

AFTER DINNER DESSERT – Pair with hot coffee or spiced cider after a heavy holiday meal. The tart cranberries cut through rich dinner flavors and the portion size feels lighter than traditional holiday pies.

POTLUCK CONTRIBUTION – Transport in the baking dish and reheat at your destination. This dessert holds up better than delicate cakes or pies and looks festive without requiring fancy plating.

AS A BREAKFAST TREAT – A dollop can make this dessert even more special. It’s a CHRISTMAS treat, after all! 🙂

Recipe Success Tips

EVEN DISTRIBUTION – Spread the cranberry sauce in dollops across the apple filling rather than in one blob. This ensures every slice gets some of that tart cranberry flavor instead of having some pieces with only apples.

REST – Let the dump cake rest for 10 to 15 minutes after removing from the oven. This allows the fruit layer to set up slightly so you get cleaner slices instead of soup. Serve warm rather than piping hot.

EXPERT TIP – Place a baking sheet on the oven rack below your dump cake to catch any bubble-overs. Fruit fillings expand when hot and can overflow, especially around the edges. The sheet saves you from scrubbing your oven later.

Frequently Asked Questions