Easy Apple Cranberry Christmas Dump Cake Recipe for the Holidays
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Looking for a simple, delicious, and festive dessert to impress your family and friends this holiday season? Look no further! This Apple Cranberry Christmas Dump Cake is the perfect solution. Bursting with fall flavors, this incredibly easy recipe requires minimal effort and delivers maximum taste. It’s the ultimate comfort food, ideal for any gathering or cozy night in.
This cranberry apple dump cake is not only incredibly tasty but also ridiculously easy to make. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can create a show-stopping dessert that everyone will rave about. Forget complicated baking techniques and lengthy preparation times; this recipe is all about convenience and flavor. It’s a great option for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike!
What makes this Apple Cranberry Dump Cake so special? The combination of sweet apples, tart cranberries, and a buttery cake topping creates a symphony of flavors that perfectly captures the essence of the holiday season. Plus, the “dump cake” method means there’s no need for a stand mixer or complicated mixing techniques. Simply layer the ingredients, bake, and enjoy!
This recipe is not just delicious; it’s also incredibly versatile. You can easily customize it to suit your preferences and dietary needs. For example, you can swap out the walnuts for pecans or almonds, use a different type of cake mix, or add a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra warmth. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients for the Apple Cranberry Christmas Dump Cake
Here’s what you’ll need to create this incredible dessert:
- Cranberry Sauce: You’ll need one 14-ounce can of whole berry cranberry sauce. This adds a lovely tartness and festive color to the cake.
- Apple Pie Filling: A 21-ounce can of apple pie filling from the baking aisle will provide the sweet apple flavor that complements the cranberries so well.
- Yellow Cake Mix: A 14-ounce box of your favorite yellow cake mix forms the base of the cake. You can also use vanilla or spice cake mix for a different twist.
- Chopped Nuts: About ½ cup of lightly chopped walnuts adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor. Feel free to substitute with pecans or almonds if you prefer.
- Butter: ¾ cup of butter, sliced extremely thin, is essential for creating the rich, buttery topping that makes this dump cake so irresistible.
How to Make the Apple Cranberry Christmas Dump Cake: Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own Apple Cranberry Christmas Dump Cake:
- Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius). This ensures even baking and prevents the cake from becoming dry.
- Prepare Your Baking Dish: Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. This will prevent the cake from sticking to the bottom and make it easier to serve. A baking dish is crucial to make sure your cake comes out perfectly.
- Layer the Cranberry Sauce: Spread the cranberry sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This forms the first layer of flavor and adds a beautiful festive touch.
- Add the Apple Pie Filling: Spread the apple pie filling over the top of the cranberry sauce layer. Distribute it evenly to ensure a consistent apple flavor throughout the cake.
- Sprinkle the Cake Mix and Nuts: Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the apple pie filling, followed by the chopped walnuts. This creates the crumbly, buttery topping that makes this dump cake so delicious.
- Top with Butter: Place the thinly sliced butter evenly over the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the cake surface as possible to prevent dry spots. The butter will melt and create a golden-brown, crispy topping.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the center of the cake has set and the topping is golden brown. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.
How to Store Your Delicious Dump Cake
If you happen to have any leftovers (though it’s unlikely!), here’s how to store them properly:
Refrigerator Storage: Keep the leftover dump cake in the baking pan you cooked it in. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and store it in the refrigerator for the best results. It will last for about 4-5 days.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Apple Cranberry Dump Cake
Here are some helpful tips and tricks to ensure your dump cake turns out perfectly every time:
Cake Mix Flavor Options
While yellow cake mix is a classic choice, you can experiment with other flavors to create different variations of this recipe. Vanilla cake mix works beautifully, and spice cake mix adds a warm, festive touch. Consider using a caramel or butter pecan cake mix for an even richer flavor.
Toppings for This Perfect Dump Cake Recipe
Take your Apple Cranberry Dump Cake to the next level with these delicious topping ideas:
- Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream is a classic pairing that complements the warm, fruity flavors of the cake.
- Extra Cranberry Sauce: Add a dollop of cranberry sauce for an extra burst of tartness and festive color.
- Whipped Cream: A generous dollop of whipped cream adds a light and airy touch that balances the richness of the cake.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes to Explore
If you enjoyed this Apple Cranberry Christmas Dump Cake, be sure to check out these other tempting dessert recipes:
- Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler: A comforting and easy dessert made in your slow cooker.
- Pumpkin Dump Cake: A fall-inspired dump cake with pumpkin puree and a crunchy crumble topping.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie No-Bake: A decadent and easy no-bake pie with peanut butter and chocolate.
- Apple Dump Cake: A classic apple dump cake that’s perfect for any occasion.
Apple Cranberry Christmas Dump cake
Julia Pacheco
10 minutes
45 minutes
1 hour
10 minutes
10
servings
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