Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe
Introduction
This Caramel Apple Dump Cake is a delightfully simple dessert that combines tender apple filling with sweet caramel and a buttery cake topping. Perfect for busy home cooks, it requires minimal prep but delivers big on cozy, comforting flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 21-ounce cans apple pie filling
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 15.25-ounce box yellow or spice cake mix (dry mix only)
- 1 11-ounce bag caramel bits
- 1 14-ounce bag soft caramels, unwrapped (alternative to bits)
- 3 tbsp heavy cream or milk (if melting soft caramels)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), sliced
- 0.5 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 0.5 cup old-fashioned oats (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Step 2: Spread both cans of apple pie filling evenly into the prepared dish. Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg over the apples, then stir lightly to blend the spices.
- Step 3: Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix across the apple filling. Do not stir; simply spread it into an even layer.
- Step 4: If using soft caramels, melt them with 3 tablespoons of heavy cream in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
- Step 5: Drizzle the melted caramel sauce or scatter caramel bits evenly over the cake mix. Add nuts or oats if desired for extra texture.
- Step 6: Slice butter into thin pats and arrange them evenly across the top. The butter will melt into the cake mix as it bakes, creating a rich crust.
- Step 7: Bake for 45–55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
- Step 8: Let the cake cool for 15–20 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a perfect finish.
Tips & Variations
- Use spice cake mix instead of yellow for a deeper warm flavor.
- Swap pecans or walnuts for your favorite nuts or omit them for a nut-free version.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle old-fashioned oats on top before baking.
- If you prefer a more caramel-forward taste, use soft caramels melted with cream rather than caramel bits.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to complement the warm, gooey cake.
Storage
Store leftover dump cake covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warm. You can also freeze the cake for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh apples instead of canned pie filling?
You can, but be sure to cook the apples first with sugar and spices to soften them before assembling the cake. Canned pie filling helps save time and ensures consistent sweetness and texture.
What if I don’t have cake mix on hand?
Making dump cake without a boxed cake mix is more involved since it acts as the topping. You could try a simple streusel topping with flour, sugar, and butter, but the texture will be different from the classic dump cake.
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Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This Caramel Apple Dump Cake is a delightfully easy dessert that combines sweet apple pie filling with a crumbly cake topping and decadent caramel sauce. Perfect for cozy gatherings, it requires minimal prep and bakes into a warm, comforting treat topped with rich butter, caramel, and optional nuts or oats for added texture.
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 21-ounce cans apple pie filling
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
Topping and Caramel
- 1 15.25-ounce box yellow or spice cake mix (dry mix only)
- 1 11-ounce bag caramel bits OR 1 14-ounce bag soft caramels, unwrapped (alternative)
- 3 tbsp heavy cream or milk (if melting soft caramels)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), sliced
Optional Add-ins
- 0.5 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 0.5 cup old-fashioned oats (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Apple Filling: Spread both cans of apple pie filling evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle ground cinnamon and nutmeg over the apples, then stir lightly to evenly distribute the spices.
- Add Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix across the apple filling without stirring, creating an even layer over the apples.
- Melt Soft Caramels (if using): If you are using soft caramels instead of caramel bits, melt them in the microwave with 3 tablespoons of heavy cream, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth and pourable.
- Top with Caramel and Add-ins: Drizzle the melted caramel sauce or scatter caramel bits evenly over the cake mix layer. If desired, sprinkle chopped nuts and oats on top for extra crunch and flavor.
- Add Butter: Slice the unsalted butter into thin pats and arrange them evenly across the top of the cake mix and caramel. The butter will melt and soak into the topping while baking.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool for 15–20 minutes before serving. Serve warm for the best experience, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- This dessert is best enjoyed warm but can be reheated in the microwave gently.
- Use yellow or spice cake mix based on your flavor preference; spice adds warmth sometimes preferred in fall desserts.
- Substitute walnuts for pecans if desired, or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
- If using soft caramels, melting with cream ensures a smooth drizzle over the cake.
- Adding oats gives extra texture and a rustic feel but is optional.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Caramel apple dump cake, easy apple dessert, caramel apple dessert, simple dump cake recipe, fall dessert, apple cinnamon cake
