Irresistibly Sticky Gooey Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe

Sweet autumn nights call for a decadent caramel apple dump cake that transforms simple ingredients into pure comfort.

Warm spices blend with rich, buttery notes to create an irresistible dessert.

Bakers love how this caramel apple dump cake comes together with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Layers of tender apples nestle beneath a crumbly, golden topping that melts in your mouth.

Cinnamon and brown sugar weave through each bite, promising a nostalgic dessert experience.

The aroma will drift through your kitchen, beckoning everyone to the table.

This dessert guarantees smiles and satisfied sweet tooths with every single serving.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 128 kcal

Servings: 8

What You Need for Caramel Apple Dump Cake

• Apple Pie Filling: Captures the essence of autumn with pre-spiced, tender apple chunks that create a luscious foundation for the dessert.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic depth that enhances the apple's natural sweetness and brings cozy flavor complexity.

• Yellow Cake Mix: Provides a quick, foolproof golden crumb that transforms into a rustic, buttery topping with minimal effort.

• Unsalted Butter: Transforms the dry cake mix into a crispy, golden layer that melts into a decadent, crackly crust.
• Pecans or Walnuts: Delivers a satisfying crunch and nutty undertone that complements the sweet caramel and apple flavors.
• Caramel Sauce: Weaves a rich, indulgent ribbon of sweetness that elevates the entire dessert with its silky texture.

• Vanilla Ice Cream: Provides a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, spiced cake.
• Whipped Cream: Offers a light, airy topping that adds a delicate sweetness.

Tools to Bake a Caramel Apple Dump Cake Perfectly

• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Essential for layering and baking the dump cake.
• Measuring Cups: For accurate measurements of ingredients.
• Mixing Spoon or Spatula: To spread pie filling and sprinkle cake mix.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: For melting butter.
• Oven Mitts: To safely handle hot baking dish.
• Knife: Optional for chopping nuts if using.

How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake With a Crunchy Top

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and give your baking dish a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

• Spread the Apple Goodness

Dump the apple pie filling into the pan, creating a luscious fruity base. Splash some caramel sauce across the top and dust with a hint of cinnamon for extra warmth.

• Create a Crumbly Blanket

Shower the dry cake mix over the apples like a delicate snow, making sure it covers everything evenly without mixing.

• Drench with Liquid Gold

Cascade melted butter across the surface, ensuring it reaches most of the dry cake mix. Scatter some chopped nuts if you’re feeling nutty for extra crunch.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and let it transform for 40-45 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and starts bubbling with deliciousness.

• Indulge and Enjoy

Give the cake a few minutes to cool down. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a mouth-watering treat.

Sweet Additions for Caramel Apple Dump Cake

• Use Fresh Apples: Replace canned pie filling with 4-5 freshly sliced apples mixed with brown sugar and cinnamon for a more homemade taste and texture.
• Prepare the entire cake up to the butter-drizzling step, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 5-10 minutes to baking time.
• Replace standard cake mix with gluten-free yellow cake mix to make this dessert celiac-friendly without compromising delicious results.
• Skip nuts or substitute with toasted pumpkin seeds for crunch if you have nut allergies or prefer a different texture.
• Use plant-based butter or coconut oil instead of traditional butter, and serve with dairy-free vanilla ice cream for a completely lactose-free dessert experience.

Serve Dump Cake Warm With a Scoop of Ice Cream

• Sweet Scoop Companion: Serve a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream directly on top of the warm cake, letting it slowly melt and create a luscious sauce that complements the caramel and apple flavors.
• Nutty Crunch Topper: Sprinkle additional chopped pecans or walnuts over the cake just before serving to add a delightful crunch and enhance the nutty undertones of the dessert.
• Caramel Drizzle Finale: Warm an extra portion of caramel sauce and delicately drizzle it over each slice, creating a glistening finish that makes the dessert look as spectacular as it tastes.
• Whipped Cream Cloud: Top each slice with a billowy dollop of freshly whipped cream, allowing it to softly mound over the warm cake and provide a light, airy contrast to the rich, dense dessert.

Tips to Store Caramel Apple Dump Cake With Texture

• Keep leftover cake covered in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cool environment helps maintain texture and prevents moisture loss.
• Slice cake into individual portions, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Frozen dump cake stays delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before enjoying.
• Best enjoyed warm within 2 hours of baking. Reheat single servings in microwave for 15-20 seconds or place entire dish in oven at 250F for gentle warming to restore original gooey texture.
• Prepare cake up to 24 hours in advance. Cover unbaked cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to reach room temperature, then follow original baking instructions without adjusting time or temperature.

Gooey Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Comfort meets convenience in this Caramel Apple Dump Cake, where rustic simplicity and sweet indulgence collide. Layers of tender apples, rich caramel, and buttery cake crumble melt together, creating a dessert you’ll crave with every spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box yellow or spice cake mix
• 2 cans (21 oz or 595 g each) apple pie filling
• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup (120 ml) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) cinnamon (optional, for extra warmth)
• ½ cup (60 g) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for crunch)
• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and delicately coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light protective layer.
2. Foundation Layer: Distribute apple pie filling uniformly across the dish, gently dust with cinnamon, and cascade caramel sauce in elegant streams.
3. Cake Mixture Placement: Generously scatter dry cake mix across the apple landscape, ensuring complete coverage without disturbing the underlying layers.
4. Butter Infusion: Stream melted butter across the surface, maximizing coverage and integrating the dry mixture. Optionally embellish with chopped pecans or walnuts for textural complexity.
5. Baking Transformation: Position the dish in the preheated oven, allowing 40-45 minutes of culinary alchemy until the surface transforms into a golden, effervescent masterpiece with crisp, enticing edges.
6. Serving Finale: Allow the creation to rest momentarily, then present warm alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a billowing cloud of whipped cream for a decadent sensory experience.

Notes

• Ensure the apple pie filling isn’t too watery by draining excess liquid before spreading in the baking dish to maintain a perfect cake texture.
• Melt butter completely and drizzle slowly across the cake mix, creating even coverage for a crispy, golden-brown topping that bakes uniformly.
• Adjust caramel sauce quantity based on personal preference or use a lighter caramel for a more subtle flavor profile without overwhelming the apple taste.
• Swap regular cake mix with gluten-free or low-sugar alternatives to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising the delicious dump cake experience.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg