Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Caramel Apple Dump Cake is an easy, cozy dessert filled with tender cinnamon apples, buttery golden cake topping, and plenty of rich caramel sauce. This deesviral home-style recipe delivers all the comforting flavors of caramel apple pie with much less preparation. Serve it warm for an irresistible fall dessert or an easy sweet treat any time of year.

Ingredients

Apple Filling

2 cans (21 oz / 595 g each) apple pie filling

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup (120 ml) caramel sauce

Cake Topping

1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) yellow cake mix

3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup (55 g) chopped pecans, optional

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For Serving

Extra caramel sauce

Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, optional

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Add the apple pie filling to the baking dish. Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, then spread the apples evenly across the bottom.
3. Drizzle about 1/2 cup of caramel sauce over the apple filling.
4. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the apples. Do not stir the cake mix into the filling.
5. Slowly pour the melted butter across the entire surface, covering as much of the dry cake mix as possible.
6. Sprinkle the chopped pecans and additional cinnamon over the top.
7. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the apple filling is bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
8. Remove from the oven and let the dump cake rest for about 10–15 minutes. Drizzle additional caramel sauce generously over the warm cake before serving.

Tips for the Best Dump Cake

Spread the cake mix in an even layer so it bakes consistently. When adding the melted butter, distribute it across the entire surface rather than pouring it into one spot.

For extra apple flavor, add one peeled and finely diced fresh apple to the canned filling.

If you prefer a crunchier topping, add chopped pecans or walnuts before baking.

Serving Suggestions

This dessert is especially delicious served warm. Spoon the gooey apples and golden topping into bowls and finish each serving with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and an extra drizzle of caramel.

Storage

Cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds, or warm the baking dish in a 300°F (150°C) oven until heated through.

The contrast of warm cinnamon apples, buttery cake topping, crunchy pecans, and gooey caramel makes this simple dessert a delicious choice for family dinners, holidays, and potlucks.