Cinnamon Toast Crunch Apple Dump Cake – Cozy, Crunchy, and So Easy!

This family-favorite cinnamon toast crunch apple dump cake combines warm apple pie filling, crunchy cereal topping, and buttery cake – ready in minutes with just 4 ingredients!

The Cozy Magic of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Apple Dump Cake

There’s something about fall that makes you crave a warm, cinnamon-swirled dessert — especially one that’s as simple as dump, bake, and enjoy. This cinnamon toast crunch apple dump cake is my go-to when I want that fall apple dessert feeling without dirtying every bowl in the kitchen. It tastes like apple pie and coffee cake had a very delicious, very low-effort baby.

Last year, we visited an orchard upstate — the kind where the air smells like cider, the leaves crunch underfoot, and the kids scatter like wind. Lily, ever the list-maker, kept count of how many windfall apples we gathered (23), while Emma chased yellow leaves like they were treasure. We came home chilled, happy, and ready for something sweet.

That night, this cake was on the table. It came together in under 10 minutes and filled the whole apartment with the smell of cinnamon sugar and buttery apples. I topped it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and passed out spoons.

If you’re looking for a similar cozy favorite, you might love this strawberry cheesecake dump cake too — but today, we’re going all in on fall comfort.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this apple pie filling cake recipe is how forgiving it is. Just four ingredients, no mixer needed, and it still tastes like something grandma would proudly serve on her floral china.

Here’s what you’ll need for that magical cinnamon toast crunch topping:

• 3 (21 oz) cans apple pie filling
• 1 box Cinnamon Toast Crunch Coffee Cake Mix
  • OR use a vanilla or spice cake mix + 1 cup crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal
• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, thinly sliced
• Optional for serving: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Optional twists:

• • ½ cup chopped pecans for a little extra crunch
• • Pinch of sea salt sprinkled over the top (trust me, it makes the sweet pop)
• • 2 cups of fresh sliced apples swapped in for one can of filling — a great way to use orchard-fresh ones

I usually let Emma take charge of the cereal-crushing job. We toss a handful into a zip-top bag, hand her a rolling pin, and let her go to town. (Yes, there is cereal confetti on the floor afterward — worth it.)

How to Make Cinnamon Toast Crunch Apple Dump Cake

This is the kind of dessert you make when time is tight but your sweet tooth refuses to compromise. It’s a true dump cake with cereal: minimal effort, maximum comfort.

Here’s how to make this easy apple dessert, step by step:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with butter or cooking spray.
2. Warm your apple pie filling.
   Eva’s Note: Back when we lived in Italy, a friend’s nonna taught me to warm fruit fillings before baking — it brings out the natural sweetness and helps them spread beautifully in the dish.
3. Spread the warmed apple filling evenly in the baking dish.
   If you’re using a mix of canned and fresh apples, layer the fresh slices underneath for even baking.
4. Sprinkle the cake mix over the filling — don’t stir!
   Make sure it covers the apples completely, like a crumbly blanket.
5. Dot the top with thin slices of butter.
   Place them evenly so everything melts and bakes up golden.
6. Top with crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
   If you’re using a plain cake mix, add 1 cup crushed cereal now.
   Tip: Save a small handful to sprinkle on after baking for an extra crunchy contrast.
7. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the edges are bubbly.
8. Cool for 10–15 minutes before serving.
   Optional but so good: top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a swirl of whipped cream.

Eva’s shortcut story: One rushed Thanksgiving morning, I was juggling the turkey, the sides, and a toddler who kept hiding the baster. I needed a fast dessert — and this was it. It’s been part of our fall lineup ever since.

Flavor Twists & Seasonal Variations

While this fall apple dessert is already a hug in dessert form, a few creative swaps can make it feel brand new each time you bake it. Whether you’re pulling inspiration from TikTok trends or your pantry, these ideas add just the right sparkle.

Pumpkin Spice Cake Magic

One rainy October weekend, I swapped in a pumpkin spice cake mix on a whim. Total game changer. The warm spices blended beautifully with the apples and cinnamon cereal. If you’re hosting friends or just want your home to smell like autumn itself — this one’s for you.

Tip: Add a dash of nutmeg or ground cloves for extra coziness.

Pecan Crunch Upgrade

Want a little southern-style crunch? Stir ½ cup chopped pecans into the cereal topping before baking. I spotted this idea on TikTok and tried it during a Sunday bake-along with Lily. She liked how the nuts toasted up golden and added a buttery crunch to each bite.

Try a Berry Twist

Swap one can of apple pie filling for a can of cherry or strawberry filling. The result? A fruitier, slightly tangier flavor that’s just as warm and bubbly. This also reminds me of our strawberry variation — another easy, crowd-pleasing favorite.

Orchard-Style Apple Swap

If you’ve got fresh apples on hand (especially Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), slice up about 2 cups and swap them in for one can of filling. We did this after our orchard trip last year and it gave the cake an extra layer of texture and brightness.

Storage & Serving Tips

This is the kind of dessert that’s even better the next day — if it lasts that long.

After school, my girls love it warm with a little whipped cream on top. Lily usually reheats hers in the microwave while finishing up homework at the kitchen table, and Emma insists on a “cold bite first” straight from the fridge before warming hers up.

Here’s how to store and serve this cinnamon toast crunch apple dump cake:

Storing Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze (if needed): Portion into single servings, wrap well, and freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating Suggestions

• Microwave: Heat a single portion for 30–45 seconds until warm and gooey.
• Air Fryer: Pop a slice in at 350°F for 5 minutes to bring back some crunch.
• Oven: Reheat the whole dish at 300°F for 10–15 minutes, loosely covered with foil to prevent over-browning.

Serve with a scoop of nostalgia: Warm cake, a scoop of vanilla, and a little memory of our orchard days — it’s our autumn in a bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cinnamon Toast Crunch Apple Dump Cake

If you’re anything like me, you’ll make this cinnamon toast crunch apple dump cake more than once this season. It’s just so easy, comforting, and quietly special — the kind of dessert that feels like a cozy blanket at the end of a long day.

Whether you bake it for a family dinner, a potluck, or just because it’s Tuesday and you need something sweet, I hope it brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to ours.

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Thanks for being here, and happy baking.

With love and cinnamon-sugar hands,
Eva

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