Caramel Apple Dump Cake is one of those warm, cozy desserts that feels like pure fall comfort food with almost no fuss. Sweet apple pie filling, rich caramel, and a buttery cake topping bake together into a soft, gooey dessert with golden crisp edges and so much caramel apple flavor in every bite. It is the kind of recipe I love when I want something that tastes homemade and special but does not require spending all afternoon in the kitchen. Serve it warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top, and you have an easy dessert that is perfect for fall gatherings, holidays, potlucks, or just a cozy night at home.
When you’re looking for the perfect quick and easy dessert to prepare, this Caramel Apple Dump Cake is just what you need. It’s easy enough to make in minutes, doesn’t require many ingredients, and will leave you with something absolutely delicious to share with the family. Everyone will look forward to biting into this dessert.
Apple Caramel Dump Cake
Have you ever prepared a dump cake? If not, let this Caramel Apple Dump Cake be the first of many you will make for your loved ones! The great thing about this recipe, other than its fantastic taste, is truly how simple it is to make. You don’t need culinary skills, and you don’t need to be a baking expert in preparing something so delicious to achieve the best outcome. So, if you’re ready to make an easy apple-flavored treat that is perfect for a midday snack or dessert after dinner, gather your ingredients and get started!
Why You’ll Love the Easy Caramel Apple Cake
- There are so many reasons to keep this recipe around, but the 5 minute prep time is definitely near the top of my list.
- You only need a handful of ingredients, there is no mixing bowl full of cake batter, and everything goes straight into one baking dish. The combination of apple, cinnamon, caramel, and buttery cake mix gives you all those cozy fall flavors without peeling or chopping a single apple.
- It also makes 12 servings, so it is perfect when you need an easy dessert for Thanksgiving, a fall party, a potluck, or family dinner. And when you add vanilla ice cream to a warm serving, the ice cream melts down into all that caramel and apple filling and makes it even better.
Pie Filling Dump Cake Ingredients
- Apple Pie Filling – Use two 21-ounce cans of apple pie filling for this dump cake recipe.
- Caramel Sauce – You will need a ¾ cup of caramel sauce to add to your mixture before baking. Make sure to have extra caramel sauce that you can put on top of your cake when serving.
- Yellow Cake Mix – Instead of preparing the cake mix from scratch, grab your favorite box of yellow cake mix for this recipe.
- Ground Cinnamon – Add notes of cinnamon to your dessert with a bit of ground cinnamon.
- Salted Butter – Melt ¾ cup of butter in the microwave and pour over your ingredients before baking.
You can also grab a container of ice cream to serve a scoop or two of it with a warm piece of this Caramel Apple Dump Cake. Although optional, the ice cream goes great with this delicious dessert.
Caramel Apple Dump Cake Variations
- You can create nearly any version of this recipe using different types of pie filling, including cherry and blueberry pie filling.
- If you want to add a bit of a crunch to your cake, add some glaze pecans on top for a finishing touch.
- If you’re a caramel lover, you can add even more caramel by putting little caramel squares in your cake mixture. They will melt down perfectly while the cake bakes in the oven.
Apple Dump Cake Recipe Notes
- Allow your dump cake to sit and cool for a minimum of 15 minutes before you attempt to serve it because it will be piping hot when it first comes out of the oven, and you don’t want to get burned in the process of serving it!
- You can add all kinds of toppings to this flavorful dessert, such as mini white chocolate chip morsels, vanilla sauce, or even powdered sugar.
- You can switch it up and use a different flavor of cake mix for this Caramel Apple Dump Cake. Other good options to use include White, Spiced, or French Vanilla cake mix.
Dump Cake FAQs
Why is it called a dump cake?
Dump cakes get their name from the preparation method. Instead of preparing a traditional cake batter, the ingredients are essentially layered or “dumped” into a baking dish and baked. You do not stir all of the layers together. The moisture from the fruit and the melted butter work with the dry cake mix during baking to create a soft fruit filling and buttery topping.
Do I prepare the yellow cake mix according to the box?
No. This is really important. You are using the dry cake mix directly from the package. Do not add the eggs, oil, or water listed on the cake mix box. Simply add the cinnamon to the dry cake mix, mix it around, and sprinkle the dry mixture evenly over the caramel apple layer.
Do I stir the layers together?
No. Once you have spread the apple pie filling into the baking dish, add the caramel, sprinkle over the dry cake mix, and pour the melted butter over the top. Do not stir everything together. Those separate layers are what give a dump cake its distinctive gooey filling and buttery topping.
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely. Yellow cake mix is my favorite for that classic buttery flavor, but white or French vanilla cake mix works too. Spice cake mix is especially delicious with apples and caramel. If you use spice cake mix, I recommend leaving out the additional cinnamon because the cake mix already contains warm spices.
Why do I mix the cinnamon into the cake mix?
Mixing the cinnamon directly into the dry cake mix helps distribute it evenly across the entire dessert. If you simply sprinkle cinnamon over one layer, you can end up with areas that have much more spice than others.
How do I know when Caramel Apple Dump Cake is done?
The top should be golden brown and the apple filling should be visibly bubbling around the edges. This usually takes about 45 to 50 minutes at 350°F. If there are a couple of tiny dry looking spots on top, that is not unusual for a dump cake.
Why does my dump cake have dry cake mix on top?
This usually happens when the melted butter does not reach all of the cake mix. Pour the butter slowly and evenly across the surface and try to moisten as much of the dry mix as possible. You can gently drizzle a little additional melted butter over obvious dry areas before baking if necessary, but do not stir the layers together.
Can I slice cold butter over the top instead of melting it?
Some dump cake recipes use thin slices of butter, but this particular recipe is designed with melted butter. Pouring it slowly over the top makes it easier to cover as much of the cake mix as possible, so I would stick with the melted butter method here.
Can I use unsalted butter?
Yes. Salted butter gives the sweet caramel and apples a little bit of salty contrast, but unsalted butter will still work perfectly well.
Can I use homemade apple pie filling?
Definitely. If you already have homemade apple pie filling, you can substitute approximately the same amount as the two 21 ounce cans. Just make sure your homemade filling has a similar thick consistency so you are not introducing a lot of extra liquid.
Can I use fresh apples instead?
This particular recipe is designed around prepared apple pie filling, which provides both the cooked fruit and the thick sauce needed underneath the cake mix. Fresh apples would require additional sugar, liquid, thickener, and cooking considerations, so I would not simply replace the canned filling with plain sliced apples without adjusting the recipe.
What kind of caramel sauce should I use?
A thick caramel dessert or ice cream topping works perfectly. You want something pourable enough to spread over the apples but thick enough to give you plenty of rich caramel flavor.
Can I add more caramel?
Absolutely. I actually prefer adding extra caramel when serving rather than putting too much additional sauce into the baking dish. That way the dump cake does not become overly wet or sweet, and everyone can add as much caramel as they like.
Why do I need to let the dump cake cool for 15 minutes?
That apple and caramel filling gets extremely hot in the oven and can easily burn your mouth if you dig into it immediately. Let the dump cake sit for at least 15 minutes before serving. The resting time also allows the filling to settle and thicken slightly, making it easier to scoop.
Can I make Caramel Apple Dump Cake ahead of time?
You can bake it ahead and reheat it before serving. For the best topping texture, though, I prefer baking it closer to serving time. Since it only takes about 5 minutes to assemble, it is an easy dessert to put together shortly before you need it.
Should Caramel Apple Dump Cake be refrigerated?
Yes. Once it has cooled, cover leftovers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Warm individual servings in the microwave or reheat a larger amount in the oven.
Can Caramel Apple Dump Cake be frozen?
Yes. Once completely cooled, store it tightly wrapped or in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
How do I reheat Caramel Apple Dump Cake?
For individual servings, the microwave is the quickest option. Heat just until the apples and caramel are warm. For a larger amount, reheat it in the oven until warmed through. The oven has the added benefit of helping the topping regain some texture.
Can I add nuts?
Yes. Chopped pecans or walnuts would be delicious with the caramel and apples. Sprinkle them over the cake mix before adding the melted butter or add toasted nuts to individual servings.
What ice cream goes best with Caramel Apple Dump Cake?
Vanilla is the classic choice and my personal favorite because it lets the caramel apple flavor stand out. Cinnamon ice cream would be amazing for an extra fall flavored version, and butter pecan would also pair beautifully with the caramel.
What other toppings can I use?
Besides vanilla ice cream and extra caramel sauce, try whipped cream, cinnamon ice cream, white chocolate chips, vanilla sauce, powdered sugar, toasted pecans, walnuts, or toffee pieces. You can keep it really simple or turn each serving into a full caramel apple sundae.
What does Caramel Apple Dump Cake taste like?
It tastes like a cross between caramel apple cobbler and a buttery apple cake. The bottom is warm, soft, gooey, and packed with cinnamon apples and caramel, while the top becomes buttery and golden with slightly crisp areas. Add melting vanilla ice cream and extra caramel and you get warm, cold, creamy, gooey, and buttery textures all in the same bite.
Why This Recipe Works
The beauty of a dump cake is how the layers transform in the oven without needing to be stirred together. Apple pie filling creates a thick, fruity base with plenty of moisture, while caramel sauce adds sweetness and a rich buttery flavor. Cinnamon is mixed directly into the dry cake mix so that warm spice is distributed throughout the entire topping. Pouring melted butter over the cake mix provides the fat and moisture needed to transform much of that dry mixture into a golden, buttery topping as it bakes. Meanwhile, the apple and caramel mixture underneath becomes hot and bubbly. Giving the finished cake at least 15 minutes to cool is especially important because it allows everything to settle and thicken slightly while also bringing that extremely hot filling down to a safer serving temperature.
Budget Breakdown
Prices vary by store and brand, but this is a fairly budget friendly dessert considering one pan makes about 12 servings.
- Apple Pie Filling: About $5.00 to $7.00 for two 21 ounce cans.
- Caramel Sauce: About $2.00 to $3.00 for the amount used.
- Yellow Cake Mix: About $1.50 to $2.50 for one box.
- Ground Cinnamon: About $0.10 to $0.20 for 1 teaspoon.
- Salted Butter: About $2.00 to $2.75 for ¾ cup.
- Estimated Total Cost: About $10.60 to $15.45 for the dump cake without optional toppings.
- Estimated Cost Per Serving: About $0.90 to $1.30 based on 12 servings.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Dry cake mix is left on top: Make sure you pour the melted butter slowly and evenly and try to moisten as much of the cake mix as possible.
- Top is getting too dark: Loosely cover the baking dish with foil for the remaining baking time.
- Apple filling is not bubbling: The dump cake may need a few more minutes in the oven.
- Dessert seems very runny: Give it the full 15 minute resting time so the filling has a chance to settle.
- Cake topping is soggy: Make sure the dessert is baked until the top is properly golden and avoid adding excessive additional caramel before baking.
- Dessert is overly sweet: Use less extra caramel when serving or pair it with plain vanilla ice cream rather than another sweet topping.
- Cake mix is clumpy: Sprinkle it as evenly as possible across the entire apple layer before adding the butter.
- Edges are cooking faster than the center: Loosely cover the dish with foil and continue baking until the center is ready.
- Topping softened in the refrigerator: Reheat leftovers in the oven rather than the microwave if you want to restore some of the topping’s texture.
- Dump cake is too hot to serve: Always let it rest for at least 15 minutes. The caramel and apple filling can be extremely hot straight from the oven.
Nutrition Information
These values are estimates based on 12 servings and do not include optional ice cream, additional caramel sauce, or other toppings. Exact nutrition will vary depending on the brands of apple pie filling, cake mix, caramel sauce, and butter you use.
- Calories: Approximately 390 calories per serving
- Protein: Approximately 2 g
- Total Carbohydrates: Approximately 61 g
- Dietary Fiber: Approximately 1 g
- Total Sugars: Approximately 41 g
- Total Fat: Approximately 16 g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 9 g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 35 mg
- Sodium: Approximately 400 mg
My Personal Kitchen Notes
The biggest thing I would tell you about Caramel Apple Dump Cake is to take your time when pouring the melted butter over the cake mix because you want to cover as much of that dry mixture as possible without actually stirring the layers together. I like to pour it slowly back and forth across the entire dish and pay extra attention to the corners because those are easy spots to miss. I also think the 15 minute cooling time is really important with this one, and not just because it helps the filling settle. Those apples and that caramel are seriously hot when they first come out of the oven, so resist the temptation to grab a spoon right away. I like mine served while it is still nice and warm, but cool enough that a scoop of vanilla ice cream slowly melts over the top instead of instantly disappearing.
Make Ahead, Storage & Freezing Tips
Caramel Apple Dump Cake is best when it is freshly baked and still a little warm, but leftovers keep really well. Once the cake has cooled, cover the baking dish tightly or transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Individual servings can be reheated in the microwave until warmed through, or you can warm a larger portion in the oven. If you want to freeze leftovers, let the dump cake cool completely, wrap it tightly or transfer it to a freezer safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The topping may soften somewhat after refrigeration or freezing, so reheating it uncovered in the oven is a good way to bring back a little of that freshly baked texture.
My Final Thoughts
Caramel Apple Dump Cake is exactly why I love keeping a few super easy dessert recipes around. Five minutes of prep gives you a whole 9 x 13 inch pan of warm cinnamon apples, gooey caramel, and buttery golden cake topping, and there is hardly anything to clean up afterward. It has all of those cozy caramel apple flavors that make me think of fall, but there is no peeling apples, rolling pie crust, or making anything complicated. It is perfect when you need a dessert for a crowd but do not have a lot of extra time, and once you add vanilla ice cream and another drizzle of caramel, nobody is going to care how easy it was to make.
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Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 2 21 ounce cans apple pie filling
- 3/4 cup caramel sauce plus more for serving
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup salted butter melted
- Ice cream for serving, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spread the apple pie filling into the bottom of the baking dish.
- Evenly top with the caramel sauce.
- Cut the top of the yellow cake mix bag open and add the cinnamon. Stir it around. Evenly sprinkle the cake mix on top.
- Pour the butter on top and try to moisten as much of the cake mix as possible.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on the top.
- Let cool for 15 minutes. Serve with ice cream and more caramel sauce.
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