December 28, 2023
Review RecipeCaramel Apple Dump Cake
Table of Contents
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
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.
STEP THREE: Cut half of the bag of caramels in half. Sprinkle them over the top of the apples.
STEP FOUR: Sprinkle cake mix over top. Smooth with a spatula.
STEP FIVE: Evenly add cold butter pieces to the top of the cake mix.
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.
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).
MORE APPLE RECIPES
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.
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
You could pick from a variety of box cake mix options, and any flavor would work fine in this recipe.
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.
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.
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
- Lemon Lush
- Pecan Dump Cake
- Pineapple Delight
- Butter Pecan Crunch
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Lasagna
- Banana Pudding
- Chocolate Dump Cake with Cherries
- Blueberry Dump Cake
- Caramel Apple Dip
- Apple Delight
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- Strawberry Dump Cake
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- Pineapple Upside Down Dump Cake
- Caramel Apple Crisp Bites
- Apple Pie Bombs
- Blueberry Lemon Blondies
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- Apple Pie Filling
- Hasselback Apples
- Apple Fritter Bread
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- Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake
- How to Make Buttermilk Pie
- Blueberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
- Apple Dapple Cake
- Apple & Blackberry Crumble
- Apple Betty
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
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.
Comments
Andi says
Could I go ahead and put it all in the casserole dish and put in the fridge to bake later, or will it make the caramels too hard?
Layne Kangas says
I think the caramel will get too hard to enjoy that way! You could always warm back through though. Enjoy!
Danielle says
Should this be kept in the fridge or room temp after baked?
Layne Kangas says
I kept mine at room temp so the caramels don’t get too hard! Enjoy ๐
Latricia says
Mines wouldn’t brown on top was i suppose mix it up
Layne Kangas says
No, you don’t mix. Was there enough butter on it?
Jill says
Just wondering, can you used fresh sliced apples? ๐๐ป๐ ๐ ๐
Layne Kangas says
You might need to adjust the cooking time if you do. We do have an amazing upside down apple cake that uses fresh apples if you want to try that! Enjoy ๐
Bdaisy says
Can you use caramel sauce in the cake and not on top as a drizzle???
Layne Kangas says
If you want to! Enjoy ๐
Mrs Kravitz says
I made this for our trial-run Friendsgiving…it was the star dish! Everyone raved about how delicious it is. The combination is perfect, DON’T change anything in the recipe!
Our family has a new favorite dessert.
Nicole says
Have you ever tried the Carmel bits in this recipe? Or would they be too hard?
Layne Kangas says
I haven’t tried them, please let me know if you do! ๐
Terri says
You have given me an idea. I saw some cans of caramel apple pie filling at the store. I am going to try it tomorrow to see how it works in place of the cans and caramels. Wish me luck.
Gloria says
Such a great dessert!
Heather says
This recipe is now a tradition with us! It is so so SO good!!
I am wondering: could you cook this in one of those big disposable aluminum pans instead of a glass pan? What would be the difference in cooking?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Heather – I haven’t tried that but I would assume it would work ok!