Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Name: Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 40 ounces apple pie filling, ((two (20-ounce) cans)); ¼ teaspoon allspice; ¼ teaspoon cinnamon; ½ bag Werther's Original Chewy Caramels, ((10.8-ounce bag), cut in half); 1 box super moist butter yellow cake mix; ¾ cup salted butter, (cut into 15 squares); vanilla ice cream, (for serving)

With layers of rich caramel, cinnamon, and apple pie filling, this caramel apple dump cake is easy to make and even easier to enjoy.

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Table of Contents

Caramel Apple Dump Cake Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
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This caramel apple dump cake combines layers of sweet apple pie filling and gooey caramel for a dessert you’ll want to dive into year-round. Plus, it’s easy to make: simply dump all of the ingredients in a casserole dish and bake it!

Caramel Apple Dump Cake Ingredients

Caramel Apple Dump Cake raw ingredients that are labeled

This caramel apple dump cake is a delightful dessert that combines the flavors of apple pie and rich caramel.

This dessert is a perfect blend of sweet, fruity, and comforting flavors, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion.

You’ll need:

2 (20-ounce) cans of apple pie filling
1⁄4 teaspoon of allspice
1⁄4 teaspoon of cinnamon
Half of a 10.8-ounce bag of Werther’s Original Chewy Caramels, cut in half
1 box of super moist butter yellow cake mix
3⁄4 cup of salted butter, cut into 15 squares
Optional: vanilla ice cream for serving

PRO TIP:

When buying the cake mix, it is best to pick one that doesn’t have pudding mix in it; check the label to make sure.

Substitutions And Additions

PECANS: Sprinkle one cup of pecans (whole or chopped) onto your dump cake just before it goes into the oven for a delicious nutty crunch.

CARAMEL SAUCE: We also love this easy apple dump cake with caramel sauce.

Top your apple caramel cake with cold vanilla ice cream, and then a caramel drizzle over your plate for the ultimate version of this dessert.

FRUIT FILLINGS: This recipe can be made with any flavor of pie filling.

Try pumpkin, blueberry, or raspberry for delicious options.

CAKE MIX: We used a yellow cake mix, but you could use a white cake mix or even a spice cake mix in this easy dessert recipe.

How To Make This Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe

Dump cakes are just about the easiest desserts to make. All you do is dump the ingredients into a pan and bake. Let’s get started:

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

I make this in a 9×13-inch cake pan. You could halve the recipe and make it in an 8×8 baking pan as well if you’d rather.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

STEP TWO: Dump both cans of apple filling into the baking dish. Sprinkle cinnamon and allspice over the apples.

Stir to mix. Smooth with a spatula.

cans of apple pie dumped into a dish and add allspice and cinnamon

STEP THREE: Cut half of the bag of caramels in half. Sprinkle them over the top of the apples.

caramel being placed on top of apples in a baking dish

STEP FOUR: Sprinkle cake mix over top. Smooth with a spatula.

dry cake mix being placed on top in a baking dish

STEP FIVE: Evenly add cold butter pieces to the top of the cake mix.

pieces of butter placed on top of cake in a baking dish

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your cake as the suggested baking time approaches.

STEP SIX: Place in the oven and let the cake bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through cooking.

The cake is done when the sides of the cake are bubbling and it is golden brown on top.

PRO TIP:

Because dump cakes are so gooey and moist, it can be hard to determine if they’re done. It’s normal to see some wet spots and some spots that are more crisp and done. The fruit mixture should be bubbly around the edges of the pan when it’s finished baking.

baked Caramel Apple Dump Cake in a baking dish

How To Serve

Serve this perfect dessert with whipped cream on top and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

The fall flavors would make this the ideal dessert during apple season when the weather is cooler. It’s easy enough to make for a weeknight dessert but fancy enough to serve for company.

It doesn’t get any simpler than a dump cake! Try these one-pan, easy dump cake recipes: apple dump cake (only four ingredients) and pumpkin dump cake (only five ingredients).

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Storage

Whether you’re planning to make it ahead or have leftovers to preserve, here’s what you need to know about storing this dump cake:

IN THE FRIDGE: Store your leftover apple dump cake in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap for three to four days in the fridge.

You can also wrap and store individual pieces.

IN THE FREEZER: To freeze your caramel apple dump cake, wrap it in plastic wrap or keep it in an airtight container.

The cake will keep for up to three months.

When you’re ready to eat your cake, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat it in the microwave.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re the planning type and want to get a head start on your dessert, you can prepare the dry cake mix and caramel-apple filling separately, store them in airtight containers, and keep them in the pantry.

When you’re ready to indulge, simply assemble and bake as per the recipe instructions for that warm, gooey perfection.

close up shot of caramel apple dump cake in a baking dish with a large spoon

Why We Love This Recipe

SIMPLICITY AT ITS BEST: This recipe is incredibly easy to make, and it lives up to its name – just dump the ingredients together and let the oven do the magic. It’s a perfect choice for both beginners and busy folks looking for a hassle-free dessert.

IRRESISTIBLE FLAVOR FUSION: It combines the classic comfort of apple pie with the indulgent sweetness of caramel. The result? A taste sensation that’s familiar yet exciting, with each bite delivering a delightful blend of fruity and buttery caramel goodness.

This is an easy recipe that creates the ultimate caramel apple dump cake that is ready in just under an hour (our apple pie cookies are another great recipe, too). The hardest part of enjoying this rich caramel and apple pie dessert isn’t the steps—it’s the anticipation you’ll have waiting to eat it while it’s baking!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cake mix?

You could pick from a variety of box cake mix options, and any flavor would work fine in this recipe.

What is a dump cake?

A dump cake is an easy and super moist cake in which the ingredients are simply dumped into the pan and baked. Usually, they use a box of cake mix and a handful of additional simple ingredients.

Could I make this ahead of time and store it in the fridge?

You could make this ahead of time, although the caramels may harden back up in the fridge. As long as you are planning to serve this warm, allowing the caramels to soften up again, you could easily make it ahead of time.

Can I use sliced apples in this recipe?

We recommend sticking to apple pie filling for this recipe, as the apples have already been cooked and softened. If you do use regular apple slices, you may need to adjust the baking time.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

5 from 5 votes

With layers of rich caramel, cinnamon, and apple pie filling, this caramel apple dump cake is easy to make and even easier to enjoy.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Total Time 55

Servings

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Ingredients

40 ounces apple pie filling, (two (20-ounce) cans)
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
½ bag Werther's Original Chewy Caramels, (10.8-ounce bag), cut in half
1 box super moist butter yellow cake mix
¾ cup salted butter, cut into 15 squares
vanilla ice cream, for serving

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Dump both cans of apple pie filling into the baking dish. Sprinkle allspice and cinnamon over the apples. Stir to mix. Smooth with a spatula.
Cut ½ of the bag of caramels in half. Sprinkle them over the top of the apples.
Top with dry cake mix. Smooth with a spatula.
Evenly add cold butter pieces to the top of the cake.
Place in the oven and let bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Rotate pan half way through cooking. The cake is done when the sides of the cake are bubbling and it is golden brown on top.

Video

Notes

When buying the cake mix, it is best to pick one that doesn’t have pudding mix in it; check the label to make sure.
I make this in a 9×13 cake pan. You could halve the recipe and make it in an 8×8 baking pan as well if you’d rather.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your cake as the suggested baking time approaches.
Because dump cakes are so gooey and moist, it can be hard to determine if they’re done. It’s normal to see some wet spots and some spots that are more crisp and done. The fruit mixture should be bubbly around the edges of the pan when it’s finished baking.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Caramel Apple Dump Cake Ingredients

Substitutions And Additions

How To Make This Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe

How To Serve

Applesauce Cake

Apple Pie Bites

Storage

Why We Love This Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

More Recipes You’ll Love