Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe (6 Ingredients)
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This Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe is the perfect fall dessert. Give your sweet tooth exactly what it needs with this family favorite. The tender apples paired with the yellow cake mix create the perfect cozy dessert. A delicious recipe like this is a must this time of year!
It should come as no surprise that this easy caramel apple dump cake recipe is a crowd pleaser.
My entire family agrees that using a box of cake mix paired with the other easy ingredients gives the best results!
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
The beauty of a dump cake is that it’s a dump and bake easy recipe. Adding simple ingredients to the baking dish literally makes the perfect dessert.
The apple filling paired with the gooey caramel is the perfect ending to any family meal.
It’s safe to say that this is one of my favorite fall flavors – and an easy one to make, too.
Speaking of an easy dump cake recipe, be sure to check out my blueberry, strawberry, and lemon to banana, peach, and Oreo recipes.
Because when you have dessert recipes this good, you need to make them with various fruit fillings!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Apple Pie Filling: This delicious cake is all about easy peasy, so using pie filling instead of fresh apples saves a ton of prep time.
(although you could use sliced apples and add some apple pie spice if you want!)
- Yellow Cake Mix: This is my go-to cake mix for this dessert, but honestly, you can use a different cake mix if you want.
Some popular cake mixes are white cake mix, vanilla cake mix, or even chocolate cake mixes.
- Kraft caramels: These caramel bits really make this delicious dessert! Adding the caramel drizzle on top is literally the “icing on the cake!”
- Chopped pecans: Every great recipe needs a little crunch, and pecans pair perfectly with this apple pie dump cake. You could also use peanuts or almond bits as well.
In addition to the ingredients listed above, you’ll also need ground cinnamon, salted butter, and lemon juice. I told you this was an easy apple dump cake recipe!
Caramel Apple Cake Recipe Tips & Variations
- Add a bit of brown sugar
This isn’t a must for this easy dessert recipe – but it does add a bit of sweetness!
Read the label on your apple pie filling, and decide if adding a tad bit of brown sugar would be a good idea.
- Don’t forget the toppings
While the caramel on top is sweet, doesn’t a scoop of ice cream always make things better?
You can drizzle caramel sauce on top and add vanilla ice cream to really sweeten the pot.
Storing and Reheating Caramel Apple Dump Cake
The biggest tip to remember is that the dump cake needs to cool down to room temperature completely before placing it in the fridge.
Keep the leftovers in an airtight container, or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap.
If you store the leftover apple dump cake properly, it will last for 3-4 days.
To reheat and eat, place a serving in the microwave for 30 seconds.
If you want to reheat the entire cake at once, place the leftovers in an oven-safe dish and reheat for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- 9×13 Baking Dish – This set is my go-to dish for making dump cakes and casseroles!
- A sturdy silicone spatula is a must for not leaving any of those yummy ingredients behind in the mixing bowl.
- Can Opener – Why get frustrated at opening a can when you can use one like this?
Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe FAQ
You may notice that the consistency of a dump cake is different from that of a regular cake, and that is how it’s supposed to be. A dump cake will be a tad bit gooey because of all the wet and dry ingredients being dumped into one area together.
That being said, it shouldn’t be runny or “sticky” looking. If that is the case, pop it back into the oven and let it back for a bit more!
Don’t! That defeats the whole purpose of making a dump cake. The “dumping” of the ingredients, as written on the recipe card, is what makes the perfect apple cake recipe. Just don’t stir!
(and to answer the question – stirring will make it have more of a cake-like texture)
The cake won’t dry out as long as you are storing it in an airtight container and keeping it covered. Storage is key for keeping dump cakes moist and tender.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy Dump Cake Recipes
Caramel Apple Dump Cake (6 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 63 ounces apple pie filling, 3 – 21 ounce cans
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, optional but it enhances the apple flavors
- 1 cup Kraft caramels, cut in half (approximately 1 bag)
- 15.25 ounce box yellow cake mix, use 15.25 ounces for best results
- 1 cup 2 sticks salted butter, cut into 1 tablespoon slices
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prep the baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. This step prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
- Apple Pie Layer: Open the three cans of apple pie filling and pour them into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon evenly over the apple pie filling. For an extra flavor boost, drizzle 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (about the juice from half a lemon) over the filling. This step is optional but highly recommended.
- Caramel Layer: Sprinkle the halved Kraft caramels evenly onto the filling. One bag (approximately 1 cup) is just the right amount. Be cautious not to overdo it; too much caramel can overpower the other flavors.
- Cake Mix Layer: Spread the 15.25 oz yellow cake mix evenly over the apple pie filling. Ensure that the cake mix is distributed uniformly for consistent results.
- Toppings: Place the sliced salted butter evenly on top of the cake mix. Arrange the butter in rows of four for even melting and coverage. Sprinkle the chopped pecans on top of the cake, adding a delightful crunch to your dessert.
- Time to Bake the Cake: Bake the assembled dish in the preheated oven for approximately 45 minutes or until it turns a lovely golden brown.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published November 2023
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I want to use Granny Smith green apples
What do I add with them to make them gooey like the pie filling and should I peel the apples?
Such an easy and delicious cake to make for Fall! It was so easy and the family gobbled it up!