Dessert

Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe

ByAndria Russo October 28, 2025October 28, 2025

Introduction

Caramel Apple Dump Cake is an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that combines tender, spiced apples with a buttery, crisp cake topping and rich caramel sauce. Perfect for fall or any time you want a warm, comforting treat without fussing over complicated baking.

A close-up of one thick square piece of apple pie with a golden brown, crumbly crust as the top layer, showing juicy, soft apple slices coated in a shiny, caramel-colored sauce as the middle layer and a crisp flaky crust as the base layer. On top of the pie, there is a large, round scoop of creamy white vanilla ice cream slowly melting and dripping down the sides of the warm pie. The pie sits on a white plate with a subtle speckled pattern, placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cans (21 oz each) apple pie filling
1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Whipped cream, for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. For easier cleanup, you can line the dish with foil, leaving an overhang to lift the cake out later.
Step 2: If using canned apple pie filling, open the cans and stir gently to distribute the syrup and apples evenly. If using fresh apples, peel, core, and slice 5–6 medium apples about ¼-inch thick. Toss the slices with 2–3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg until evenly coated.
Step 3: Spoon the apple pie filling or fresh apple mixture into the prepared dish. Spread it evenly using the back of a spoon or spatula, pressing gently to create a mostly flat layer.
Step 4: Sprinkle the entire box of yellow cake mix evenly over the apples. Do not stir; it should remain dry on top. Then sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg evenly over the cake mix.
Step 5: Warm the caramel sauce slightly if needed, then drizzle it in a grid pattern over the cake mix to cover well without pooling. Pour the melted butter evenly over the top in thin streams or dots. Do not stir; the butter soaks into the cake mix while baking to form a crisp topping.
Step 6: Bake on the middle oven rack for 35–45 minutes. The cake is done when the top is golden and crisp and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil and continue baking.
Step 7: Remove from oven and let rest 10–15 minutes to thicken the juices. Drizzle extra warm caramel over the top if desired, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh apples for a less sweet, more natural flavor—just add a pinch of nutmeg to enhance the spice.
Line your baking dish with foil to make serving easier and cleanup faster.
If you like a thicker caramel layer, swirl in extra caramel sauce before baking or serve additional sauce on the side.
Try mixing in chopped nuts or raisins with the apple filling for added texture.

Storage

Store leftover dump cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through, or bake the whole dish at 300°F (150°C) until warm. Adding a scoop of fresh ice cream or whipped cream can freshen up leftovers nicely.

How to Serve

A close-up image of a slice of apple pie on a white plate with a brown rim, placed on a white marbled surface. The pie has three visible layers: the bottom layer is a thick, glossy layer of baked apple slices in a light brown syrup, the middle layer is the golden-brown crust that looks flaky and crumbled, and the top layer is a rough, golden lattice crust with a scoop of creamy, pale vanilla ice cream melting slowly over it. The melting ice cream creates a smooth, shiny texture that drips down onto the pie and plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh apples instead of canned apple pie filling?

Yes, fresh apples work great and bring a fresher taste. Just peel, core, and slice them before tossing with sugar and spices. You may need to bake a little longer to ensure they’re tender.

Do I have to use unsalted butter?

Unsalted butter is preferred to control the saltiness in the cake, but if you only have salted butter, reduce any added salt in accompanying dishes. The difference will be subtle and still delicious.