Dump Cake

Ok, we've all heard of it, well most of us anyway. I learned about it when I came to Texas so maybe it's a more southern thing.

It's one of those oldie but goodie "recipes". Everyone seems to have their own version and I'm no different. I think classically it's pineapples on the bottom but I think so many people have their fingers in the recipe, the original is lost to history.

I will confess that I'm genetically incapable to telling anyone the EXACT way I do mine because I like that mine always tastes a little bit different from everyone else's. I will, however, share the basics that'll get you close :)

Three ingredients (plus any little embellishment you decide to add to make yours, well, more yours!) It's apples, cake mix and butter... really... wow.

Dump Cake

8x8 glass dish (because I do it in glass and so shall you)

Dump in it (haha, hence the name!) one large can of apple pie filling. Chop the apples up in the dish if you'd like them smaller, I do. If the filling is too dry, add 1/4 can of water to loosen it up, I do!

Sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon sugar over the apples if you are so inclined, this doesn't count as an ingredient, by the way.

Dump (ah, see a theme?) a box of whatever white, yellow, butter cake mix you found on sale at the grocery this week. I got mine for $.75! No name, mystery maker, works as well as your major brand name here. Lightly even it out, do not press down though, just sprinkle relatively evenly and break up any giant lumps.

Cut up one stick (1/4 lb) of cold unsalted butter into tons of teensy weensy pieces. Cover the cake mix with the butter pieces. I get about 36 pieces out of my stick, when I say teensy I mean teensy.

Again, I sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon sugar over the top to make it look pretty and it really adds a nice flavor and more crunch.

Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.

The top gets hard and crunchy, the middle is soft and cakey and the bottom is fruity and juicy. There is nothing wrong with any part of this.

I think it's best room temperature, serve it up with a spoon, upside down and add a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream. OH a drizzle of caramel sauce goes beautifully here too...just saying.

So, there you have it. It's quick, it's easy, the ingredients can live in your pantry forever so you're always ready to be the hero.

I made one for today's "white elephant christmas party" and fully intend on being the total hero when I walk in the front door with my warm dump cake!

Look, how it looks all overflowy, straight out of the oven... yummy.

Make it, let me know how much you love it.

/enjoy