Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Let me tell you about the easiest and most delicious fall dessert I know! This Caramel Apple Dump Cake is a go-to in my house when I want something warm, gooey, and comforting.
You literally just dump everything into a pan and bake it. It fills the whole house with the sweet smell of apples and cinnamon. It’s perfect for a cozy night in or when you have friends coming over and need a simple but amazing dessert.
Why You’ll Love Caramel Apple Dump Cake
You are going to fall in love with this recipe because it’s so simple to make and tastes absolutely heavenly!
- So Easy: You just dump the ingredients in a pan. No mixing bowls needed, which means less cleanup for you!
- Five ingredients only: Your pantry probably has everything you need right now.
- Tastes Like Fall: The warm apples and spices taste like a perfect autumn day. It’s pure comfort food.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone I’ve ever made this for has asked for the recipe. It’s a guaranteed hit!
- Perfectly Gooey: The apple filling gets all bubbly under the buttery, crisp cake topping. SO GOOD!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few simple things for this cake! I’ve listed the main players here, but you can find the exact amounts in the recipe card at the bottom.
- Apple Pie Filling: I use the canned kind to make things extra easy. It gives you that perfect, sweet, and gooey apple base.
- Yellow Cake Mix: Just grab a box of your favorite yellow cake mix. You’ll use the powder straight from the box!
- Apple Pie Spice Mix: This gives your cake that classic, warm, and cozy apple pie flavor that we all love.
- Unsalted Butter: You’ll slice up some cold butter to put on top. It melts into the cake mix, making it golden and crispy.
- Chopped Walnuts: These add a lovely little crunch to every bite. You can also use pecans if you like!
- Caramel Sauce: A little drizzle of caramel sauce at the end makes this dessert extra special and delicious.
How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake
This is the fun part because it’s SO simple. You just layer everything in the pan and let your oven do all the work.
Step 1: Prepare the Base
First, get your oven warming up to 350° F. Then, grab your 9×13 baking dish and give it a quick grease. Spread 2 (21-ounce) cans of apple pie filling evenly on the bottom.
Step 2: Add the Topping
Now, take your yellow cake mix and sprinkle the dry powder all over the apples. Then, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice mix over the cake mix.
Step 3: Add the Butter
Slice up 1 ½ sticks of cold, unsalted butter and place the little pats all over the top of the cake mix. Try not to stir anything!
Step 4: Bake the Cake
Pop the dish into your warm oven and bake it for 30 minutes. Then, carefully take it out, sprinkle ½ cup of chopped walnuts on top, and bake for 15-25 more minutes.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Once the top is golden brown, take it out of the oven. Let it cool down just a little bit. Serve it warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce and ice cream. ENJOY!
Tips for the Best Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Want to make your cake extra amazing? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way for the best results.
- Just the Dry Mix: Don’t mix the cake mix with eggs or oil. You want to use the powder right from the box.
- No Stirring Allowed: Keep the layers separate! This helps you get a gooey bottom and a crispy top.
- Butter is Key: Make sure you cover the whole top with butter slices. This is what makes the crust so yummy.
- Caramel at the End: Wait to add the caramel sauce until you’re ready to serve. It keeps the cake from getting too soft.
- Look for Golden Brown: You’ll know it’s done when the top is a beautiful golden-brown color and the filling is bubbly.
Variations and Substitutions
Feel like mixing things up? Go for it! This recipe is super flexible. Here are some fun ideas for you to try.
- Change the Fruit: You can use cherry or peach pie filling instead of apple. Both are delicious with the cake topping!
- Switch the Nuts: If you don’t have walnuts, pecans are a fantastic swap. They add a great crunch.
- Try a Different Cake: A spice cake mix or even a white cake mix would taste wonderful with the apples.
- Add Some Oats: Sprinkle a little bit of rolled oats on top with the nuts for an apple-crisp vibe.
- Toss in Toffee: A few toffee bits sprinkled on top with the walnuts will add a sweet, buttery crunch.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
If you have any leftovers (which is a big “if” in my house!), It’s easy to save them for later. Just cover the cake and keep it on the counter for a day or two.
If you want it to last longer, you can pop it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just warm it up in the microwave before you eat it. You can also freeze it for a few months if you wrap it up really well!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix?
Of course! A spice cake mix or white cake mix would be super yummy with the apples. Have fun with it!
Can I make this with fresh apples?
You can, but you’ll need to cook them down first with some sugar and spice so they get soft like pie filling.
Should I use salted or unsalted butter?
I use unsalted butter, but if you only have salted, that will work just fine. It might just be a tiny bit saltier.
How do I know when the dump cake is done?
You’ll know it’s ready when the top is a pretty golden-brown color and the apple filling is bubbling around the sides.
Why is it called a “dump cake”?
Because you literally just “dump” all the ingredients into the pan! It’s one of the easiest cakes you’ll ever make.
Can I use melted butter?
Yes, you can melt the butter and pour it over the top. Just try to pour it evenly and don’t mix it in.
How should I serve this cake?
It’s best when it’s warm, right out of the oven. A big scoop of vanilla ice cream and some caramel make it perfect.
Can I freeze caramel apple dump cake?
Sure can! Let it cool completely, then freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and warm it up in the oven.
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cans (21-ounce) apple pie filling
- 1 box (15.25 oz ) yellow cake mix
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice mix
- 1 ½ sticks cold unsalted butter sliced into 24 pats
- ½ cup roughly chopped walnuts
- caramel sauce for topping
- vanilla ice cream for topping, optional
Instructions
- Get Ready: First, turn your oven on to 350° F. Grease your 9×13 pan and spread the 2 cans of apple pie filling evenly inside.
- Add the Cake Mix: Now, sprinkle the dry 15.25 oz yellow cake mix right over the apples. Then, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice mix on top.
- Top with Butter: Place the pats of your 1 ½ sticks of cold, sliced butter all over the cake mix, making sure to cover it well.
- Time to Bake: Bake it for 30 minutes. Then, add the ½ cup of walnuts on top and bake for another 15-25 minutes until it's golden.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the cake cool for a few minutes. Then, serve it warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Notes
- Remember to use the cake mix dry, right out of the box. Don’t add any eggs or oil to it!
- Try not to stir the layers. This helps the cake get a crispy top and a gooey bottom.
- For the best flavor, wait to add the caramel sauce until you are ready to serve the cake.
- You’ll know it’s perfectly baked when the top is a beautiful golden-brown color.
- You can store any leftovers in a covered container on the counter or in the fridge.
