Easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake: Your Ultimate No-Fuss Fall Dessert Recipe
Embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with the absolute easiest dessert you’ll ever bake! This spectacular Caramel Apple Dump Cake effortlessly combines a humble cake mix with rich caramel, creamy butter, and luscious spiced apple pie filling to create a beautifully crumbly, golden-brown cake that perfectly cradles tender, aromatic apples beneath. It’s the quintessential fall treat, delivering warmth, spice, and sweetness in every delightful bite, all with minimal effort. Forget complicated recipes – this dump cake is designed for maximum flavor and minimal fuss, making it perfect for busy weeknights, holiday gatherings, or simply satisfying that seasonal craving. This simple caramel apple recipe quickly becomes a family favorite, embodying the spirit of autumn in a single baking dish.
Why This Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe Works So Beautifully
This Caramel Apple Dump Cake isn’t just a recipe; it’s a testament to simple, delicious baking. Its genius lies in its name: “dump cake.” This means you quite literally dump the ingredients into a baking dish, layer by layer, and let the oven do all the magical work. There’s no intricate mixing, no laborious apple peeling and chopping, and no precise measuring of a dozen different components. It’s truly a beginner-friendly dessert that yields impressive results every single time, making it an ideal choice for a quick and satisfying dessert.
What makes this particular recipe stand out as an easy fall dessert? First, the combination of classic autumn flavors – sweet, juicy apples enhanced with warm cinnamon and nutmeg, paired with the buttery richness of caramel – creates an irresistible aroma and taste profile that screams “fall.” The top layer, crafted from dry cake mix and strategically placed butter pats, transforms into a wonderfully soft, golden, and slightly crisp cake. Beneath this delightful topping, you’ll find a generous layer of sweet, perfectly cooked apple pie filling that’s spiced to perfection. The caramels melt directly into the apple filling, infusing it with a gooey, rich caramel swirl that’s utterly divine and elevates this simple dessert to something truly special.
Unlike traditional cakes that require careful blending and specific techniques, a dump cake thrives on its layered structure. The key is to resist the urge to stir the ingredients once they are in the pan. This layering is what allows the butter to slowly melt down through the dry cake mix, creating that unique, crumbly-cake-like topping that many find even more appealing than a standard cake crust. It’s a truly effortless way to achieve a dessert that tastes like it took hours of preparation, but only requires minutes of active prep time. This makes it an ideal last-minute dessert for Thanksgiving, fall potlucks, Halloween parties, or any occasion when you need a crowd-pleasing sweet treat without the stress. Its simplicity and robust flavor make it a go-to apple cake mix recipe for busy home bakers.
Essential Ingredients for Your Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Crafting this delectable Caramel Apple Dump Cake requires only a handful of readily available ingredients, many of which you might already have in your pantry. Simplicity is at its core, ensuring you spend less time shopping and more time enjoying this delicious autumn dessert! Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of what you’ll need to create this amazing fall treat. For exact measurements and detailed instructions, refer to the printable recipe card located at the very end of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions for the Best Dump Cake
Let’s dive a little deeper into the key ingredients that make this Caramel Apple Dump Cake so incredibly good. Understanding their roles also opens the door to creative substitutions and variations, ensuring your dump cake recipe is always a hit.
- CAKE MIX: For this specific recipe, we’ve achieved excellent results using a 15.25-ounce box of Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Classic Yellow Cake Mix. Its neutral flavor provides a perfect canvas that allows the apple and caramel notes to truly shine. However, don’t hesitate to experiment with other flavors! A spice cake mix, for instance, would beautifully enhance the autumn theme, allowing you to potentially omit the extra cinnamon and nutmeg. A white or vanilla cake mix would also work wonderfully if you prefer a slightly lighter flavor profile that still complements the fruit and caramel. It is absolutely crucial to remember to use the cake mix dry, directly from the box. Do not add any water, oil, or eggs, and do not bake or prepare it beforehand. The dry mix, combined with the melting butter, is the secret behind the signature crumbly, cake-like topping that defines a perfect dump cake.
- SPICES: The warm embrace of cinnamon and nutmeg is fundamental to any classic apple dessert, and they truly elevate the apple pie filling in this dump cake. We recommend using ½ Tablespoon of cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of nutmeg to perfectly complement and deepen the flavors of the apple base. If you have it on hand and prefer convenience, 2 teaspoons of pre-mixed apple pie spice can be used as a fantastic, all-in-one substitute, offering a balanced blend of traditional fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger.
- APPLE PIE FILLING: This ingredient is undoubtedly the heart of our dump cake, providing the tender, fruit-laden base and the signature apple flavor. Using two 21-ounce cans of good quality store-bought apple pie filling is incredibly convenient and saves a significant amount of prep time, eliminating the need to peel, core, and slice fresh apples. Look for a brand known for its robust apple flavor and good consistency. If you’re feeling ambitious or happen to have a homemade stash, homemade apple pie filling can certainly be used, just ensure it’s well-spiced and not overly liquidy, as too much moisture can affect the cake topping. While this recipe specifically highlights apples, you could explore other fruit fillings like cherry, peach, or blueberry for different dump cake variations, though they wouldn’t technically be “Caramel Apple” anymore!
- CARAMELS: These delightful little candies play a crucial role in making this a true caramel apple dessert. During baking, the caramels melt directly into the apple filling, creating luscious pockets of rich, gooey caramel that swirl throughout the cake. We used approximately 1 ¼ cups of Kraft caramels, each cut in half for optimal distribution. Cutting them ensures more even melting and a caramel ribbon in almost every bite. You can also use pre-made caramel bits, which are often found in the baking aisle, or even a generous drizzle of a thick, store-bought caramel sauce *before* baking. The Kraft caramels, however, tend to yield a more distinct and wonderfully chewy caramel texture within the cake once baked.
- BUTTER: Unsalted butter is vital for achieving the perfect crumbly topping. Sliced into 1/4-inch thick pats and arranged evenly over the dry cake mix, the butter slowly melts as the cake bakes. This melted butter absorbs into the dry cake mix, creating that wonderfully moist, golden, and crumbly cake layer on top, akin to a streusel. Using unsalted butter allows you to precisely control the overall saltiness of the dessert, though salted butter can be used if you enjoy a hint of salty-sweetness.
Crafting Your Caramel Apple Dump Cake: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this delightful recipe. For a concise, printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and detailed instructions, please Jump to the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare Your Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to a comforting 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, take a standard 9×13-inch baking dish and lightly coat its entire inside surface with nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step ensures your delicious dump cake won’t stick to the pan, making both serving and cleanup a breeze.
- Season the Apple Filling: In a large mixing bowl, open and add the contents of the two cans of apple pie filling. Sprinkle in the cinnamon and nutmeg. Using a spoon or spatula, stir these ingredients thoroughly until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the apple filling. This ensures that every delightful bite of apple is infused with warm, inviting autumn flavors, enhancing the overall taste profile of your easy fall dessert.
- Layer the Ingredients: Now comes the incredibly simple “dump” part of this dump cake recipe! First, evenly spread the spiced apple filling mixture across the bottom of your prepared baking pan, creating a generous and flavorful fruit base. Next, scatter the halved caramels over the apple layer, ensuring they are somewhat evenly distributed so every serving gets a bit of that gooey, melted caramel. Following this, sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the caramel and apples. This will form the delightful top crust. The final step in layering is to carefully arrange the 1/4-inch thick butter pats uniformly across the entire surface of the dry cake mix. Remember, resist the urge to stir any of these layers! The distinct layering is absolutely essential for the dump cake’s signature texture and how the butter creates the crumbly topping.
- Bake to Perfection: Carefully place the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 45 to 50 minutes, or until the cake topping is beautifully golden brown and the apple filling beneath is visibly bubbling around the edges of the pan. This bubbling indicates that the fruit is heated through and the caramel has melted into a glorious, sweet sauce. Keep an eye on the color of the topping to prevent over-browning.
- Rest Before Serving: Once baked, carefully remove the dump cake from the oven. It’s incredibly tempting to dig in immediately, but allowing it to rest for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving is crucial. This resting period allows the molten apple and caramel filling to set slightly and cool down just enough to be safely enjoyed, preventing it from being too runny and ensuring cleaner, more manageable slices.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Dump Cake Success
Here are some common questions and invaluable expert tips to ensure your Caramel Apple Dump Cake turns out perfectly every time, making it a truly no-fuss dessert.
Once your delicious dump cake has completely cooled to room temperature, which is essential to prevent condensation, cover it tightly with an air-tight lid or several layers of plastic wrap. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For extended freshness, especially if you live in a warm or humid climate, storing it in the refrigerator can keep it delicious for around 5-6 days. Always ensure it’s well-sealed to prevent it from drying out and maintaining its wonderful texture.
Absolutely! Adding nuts is a fantastic way to introduce extra texture and a complementary nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet apple and rich caramel. Walnuts or pecans are particularly well-suited for this dump cake. You can chop them roughly and sprinkle them evenly over the dry cake mix layer before baking. This allows them to toast slightly in the oven and meld wonderfully with the crumbly topping. Alternatively, for a fresh, crisp crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts over individual servings as a delightful garnish just before enjoying.
A 9×13-inch baking dish is the standard and ideal size for this recipe as it ensures even baking and the perfect depth for all the delicious layers. If you don’t have one, you can use a similar-sized oven-safe dish with approximately a 3-quart capacity. Examples include a large oval casserole dish or two smaller square dishes. Keep a close eye on the baking time, as a slightly smaller or larger dish might affect how quickly the cake cooks or how thick your layers turn out. Avoid using a much smaller dish, as the cake could bubble up and overflow during baking.
The best indicators that your dump cake is perfectly baked are visual cues. The top cake layer should be beautifully golden-brown and appear slightly crispy, and the apple filling beneath should be visibly bubbling vigorously around the edges of the pan. This bubbling confirms that the fruit is heated through and the caramel has melted into a glorious, warm sauce. The butter pats should be fully melted and absorbed into the cake mix, leaving no dry spots. While a toothpick test isn’t typically reliable for dump cakes due to the liquid bottom layer, these visual signals are very dependable. If the top starts browning too quickly before the center seems cooked, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the remaining bake time to prevent over-browning.
Delightful Serving Suggestions for Your Caramel Apple Dump Cake
While this Caramel Apple Dump Cake is undeniably delicious on its own, a few simple additions can elevate it into an extraordinary dessert experience that perfectly captures the essence of fall. For the ultimate indulgence, serve warm slices of the cake (after its brief 15-minute rest period) topped with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The delightful contrast of the warm, spiced cake and the cold, melting ice cream is heavenly, especially as the ice cream starts to melt into the apple and gooey caramel layers. A luxurious drizzle of extra caramel sauce over the top will truly take it over the top, adding another layer of rich sweetness and visual appeal.
Beyond ice cream and caramel, consider a dollop of freshly whipped cream for a lighter, airy touch that balances the richness of the cake. For those who love a bit of crunch, a sprinkle of chopped walnuts or pecans adds a delightful textural contrast and a complementary nutty flavor. This cake is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. We highly recommend serving it warm to truly appreciate its comforting flavors and molten texture, making it a perfect cozy autumn dessert. If you’ve prepared it in advance, don’t worry – it reheats beautifully in the oven or microwave, bringing back that fresh-baked warmth and gooey goodness. It’s also perfectly enjoyable at room temperature, making it a flexible option for potlucks, picnics, or simple family dinners.
More Fantastic Cake Mix Dessert Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the simplicity and deliciousness of cake mix desserts, you’re in luck! There’s a whole world of easy-to-make treats waiting for you to discover. Cake mixes are truly a pantry staple for quick, convenient, and delightful baking, proving that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create something extraordinary. Here are a few more of our favorite recipes that leverage the convenience of a cake mix:
- Pumpkin Dump Cake
- Apple Cranberry Cobbler
- Crockpot Apple Cobbler
- Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
- Apple Dump Cake
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Caramel Apple Dump Cake
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- non stick cooking spray
- 42 ounces apple pie filling two 21 ounce cans
- ½ Tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 ¼ cups Kraft caramels each cut in half
- 15.25 ounce dry yellow cake mix
- 1 cup unsalted butter two sticks, sliced 1/4 inch thick
Optional Topping Ideas
- vanilla ice cream
- caramel sauce
- whipped cream
- chopped nuts
Things You’ll Need
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13×9 baking dish
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Mixing bowl
Before You Begin
- We recommend using a 15.25-ounce box of classic yellow cake mix, such as Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist. For an even richer fall flavor, you can opt for a spice cake mix and then omit the additional cinnamon and nutmeg.
- If you prefer, you can substitute the individual cinnamon and nutmeg measurements with 2 teaspoons of pre-mixed apple pie spice for convenience.
- It is crucial not to stir the ingredients once they are layered in the baking dish. The distinct layers are what create the characteristic texture of a dump cake. The butter pats are essential as they slowly melt and integrate with the dry cake mix to form the delicious, crumbly topping – do not skip them!
- For an added layer of flavor and crunch, consider incorporating nuts. Walnuts or pecans are excellent choices that complement the apple and caramel notes beautifully. Simply chop them and sprinkle them over the dry cake mix before baking, or use them as a delightful garnish when serving.
- To store your baked dump cake, ensure it has cooled completely. Then, cover it with an airtight lid or plastic wrap. It will remain fresh at room temperature for 3-4 days. If refrigerated, it can last a bit longer, typically 5-6 days.
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lightly coating its interior with nonstick cooking spray.
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In a large bowl, combine the apple pie filling with cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir thoroughly to ensure the spices are well-mixed with the filling.
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Spread the spiced apple filling evenly into the prepared baking pan. Distribute the halved caramels over the apple layer. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly across the top, and then arrange the butter pats uniformly over the cake mix layer. Remember not to stir.
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Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the cake topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
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Allow the cake to rest for about 15 minutes after removing it from the oven before slicing and serving. This helps the filling set and prevents it from being too hot.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.