With the kids back in school, sports all week long, and life just being crazy – I’m all about easy desserts right now. Desserts like this caramel apple dump cake where you literally just dump things in a pan and bake. Oh and add ice cream – always add ice cream. This apple dump cake is my new favorite because it combines two of my favorite fall flavors – caramel and apple – with cake. Oh and did I mention that it’s a super easy recipe too?? It’s the perfect cozy dessert for the fall! It’s perfect for taking to chili cook-offs for dessert, serving at a fall potluck, or even adding to the no-bake pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dinner! It’s kind of a perfect dessert option for all things fall. Oh and if you’re having an apple party, bring this delicious cake and thank me later!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Simple ingredients – there are only a handful of ingredients in this easy recipe and they’re all readily available at any grocery store! Those are my kind of recipes – the ones with ingredients you don’t have to hope the store will have it because they always do! Caramel apple flavor – the combination of caramel and apple in this recipe is kind of like eating one of your favorite caramel apples but in cake form! So easy – if you can dump things out of a can or out of a box, you can make this cake. Oh and you should probably be able to scoop ice cream on top too!
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Caramel sauce – you can use any caramel ice cream topping, a caramel sauce, or even a homemade caramel sauce The goal is just to give this cake some caramel flavor! Yellow cake mix – I just used a standard Betty Crocker yellow cake mix but any will do – you’ll just need the dry cake mix, not all of the other ingredients to make the actual cake. If you don’t have yellow cake, you could use white cake mix too, but I prefer yellow. Apple pie filling – I recommend using canned apple pie filling in this cake compared to fresh apples to keep it quick and easy. If you really want a dessert with fresh apples and don’t want to use apple filling, I recommend this apple crumble instead! Whipped cream or ice cream – while technically both of these things are optional, they really do make this delicious dessert even better. I personally prefer it topped with a scoop of ice cream but whipped cream would work as well.
Those are the main ingredients, but you’ll also need some butter and cinnamon – things I’m guessing you probably already have home!
How to make caramel apple dump cake
This easy apple dump cake is literally just dumping things into a pan and baking it all together. No prep work at all! It’s seriously the easiest dessert, but there are a few tips and tricks I wanted to share just to make sure yours comes out as well as it can! Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. This doesn’t really stick to the bottom, but the spray helps scoop it out a little easier. Start by spreading the apple pie filling over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. I like to use either a 9×13 glass casserole dish or even a 9×13 metal cake pan works too. Now pour the caramel sauce evenly over the apple pie filling. The caramel drizzle should cover the majority of the top of the apples, but it’s okay if there are little spots peaking out of the apple mixture. Next, in a medium sized bowl, add the cake mix and cinnamon and stir to combine well. You could even do this directly in the cake mix bag if you don’t want to get any mixing bowls dirty. Once they’re well mixed together, sprinkle the cake mixture evenly over the apple pie filling and caramel sauce. A great way to sprinkle the mixture is to use your hands so you can direct the mix as you go instead of having to carefully move it around after. Your goal is to cover the apple and caramel bits almost completely, although it’s okay if there are little bits bubbling out around the side like in this mixed berry cobbler. Pour the melted butter evenly over the cake mix, trying to make sure that all of the cake mix is covered with butter. I know some people that do pats of butter instead, but I personally like to melt and pour the butter instead so you can ensure that all the cake mix is covered. Place the cake in the oven and bake for 45 – 50 minutes until it’s bubbly and the top is golden brown. Let it cool for 15 minutes before serving. It’s delicious served with ice cream on the side and extra caramel sauce drizzled on top. I prefer it warm, but it’s also really good served at room temperature! I know my entire family loves this – even our neighbors raved about how good it was – and it’s always been a huge crowd pleaser when I take it to parties, so I hope you love it as much as we do!
Expert Tips
Make sure to let the cake cool for 15 minutes before serving. If you try to eat it earlier, you will burn your mouth. It’s still nice and warm and gooey after sitting for 15 minutes – the topping keeps the warmth in – waiting just prevents you from burning yourself! Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container or just in the pan wrapped with plastic wrap for up to five days. Place any leftovers in a cold oven, preheat to 350 degrees, and allow the cake to heat up thoroughly with the oven. Try it topped with other toppings like chocolate drizzle, whipped cream, vanilla sauce, or even just powdered sugar. Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container that’s freezer safe. I don’t recommend the plastic wrap method in the freezer – make sure to transfer to something freezer safe and airtight.
More Fall Desserts
If you like this caramel apple dump cake recipe, make sure to check out these delicious fall desserts next! They’re full of the flavors of fall – apple, pumpkin, caramel, and more!
Caramel toffee cookies – cookies full of caramel flavor and toffee chips then topped with a little salted caramel for a finishing touch!Pumpkin crunch cake – this pumpkin dump cake is just as easy as this apple dump cake recipe but uses pumpkin and a little crunch instead!Caramel apple bark – this 4-ingredient treat will be your new favorite way to enjoy caramel apples!Pumpkin cookies – these 4-ingredient pumpkin cookies start with a spice cake mix that gets doctored to deliciousness! Apple pie cups – these 2-ingredient treats are so easy to make and so delicious!
