Description

This Caramel Apple Dump Cake is a simple yet decadent dessert featuring tender apple pie filling layered with sweet caramel sauce and topped with a buttery yellow cake crust. With minimal prep and no mixing required, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser that bakes into a golden, bubbling treat perfect for fall or any special occasion. Optional spices and nuts add warmth and crunch, while serving it warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream takes it to the next indulgent level.

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

2 (21 oz) cans apple pie filling
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for extra flavor)
1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for extra depth of flavor)

Topping

1 box yellow cake mix (you can also use spice cake mix for added flavor)
1/2 cup butter, melted (1 stick)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter to prepare it for baking the dump cake.
Spread Apple Filling: Evenly spread both cans of apple pie filling into the prepared baking dish to form the base layer of the dessert.
Add Cinnamon (Optional): If desired for extra spice, sprinkle the ground cinnamon evenly over the apples to enhance the flavor.
Drizzle Caramel Sauce: Pour the caramel sauce evenly over the apple layer, distributing it to add a rich, sweet caramel flavor throughout the cake.
Top with Cake Mix: Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the apple and caramel mixture, covering the fruit completely without stirring, ensuring an even crust.
Pour Melted Butter: Drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix as evenly as possible; this will melt into the mix during baking, creating a golden, crisp topping.
Bake the Cake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling. Check around 40 minutes to prevent overbaking.
Add Nuts (Optional): If using, sprinkle the chopped walnuts or pecans over the cake during the last 10 minutes of baking to toast them lightly without burning.
Cool Slightly: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes to set before serving.
Serve: Enjoy the cake warm, optionally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent dessert experience.

Notes

For a spicier variation, use spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix.
You can substitute caramel sauce with dulce de leche or caramel bits melted down.
To make the cake gluten-free, use a gluten-free yellow cake mix.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently before serving.
Adding vanilla extract into the apple filling enhances the depth of flavor but is optional.
To avoid soggy topping, ensure butter is well distributed over the cake mix.