Have you ever had the experience of making something so delicious that’s it’s hard to believe you’re the one who did it?
Well, if you haven’t, you’re about to experience that for the first time with our Caramel Apple Dump Cake. All it takes is one bite, and you’ll swear you’ve ascended into dessert nirvana!
Not only is it incredibly delicious but with only five ingredients, whipping up this tasty little masterpiece is a no-brainer. All you need is apple pie filling, cinnamon, cake mix, caramel and butter – that’s it! If you want to upscale things a little, top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and maybe a drizzle of caramel but that’s totally optional.
Last, this is also the perfect dessert for fall. Loaded with apples and the warmth of cinnamon, this treat fits the bill for a cozy family dinner or any occasion celebrating this special time of year.
No matter what, you’ll be thrilled you made it and so will your taste buds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Apple Pie Filling. The most important ingredient in our dessert. The filling provides a sweet and tangy base like you’d find in a pie but with the convenience of a can.
Ground Cinnamon. A natural complement to apples. The warmth of this familiar spice adds depth to the dessert and also adds to the overall flavor profile.
Caramel Bits (or sauce). Gives the ooey, gooey goodness we crave. Caramel morsels melt beautifully and add sweetness to the dessert like all the caramel apple treats you loved as a kid.
Yellow Cake Mix. The secret to creating a delicious topping quickly and easily. Easy to bake, when it’s done, it provides the perfect texture and contrast to the warm apple pie filling.
Melted Butter. Butter binds the cake mix together. It gives the dessert the rich, buttery flavor you’ll love and gives the dessert a crumbly texture when it’s baked.
| Ingredient | Description |
|---|---|
| Apple Pie Filling | Essential sweet and tangy base, reminiscent of pie but in a convenient can. |
| Ground Cinnamon | Adds warmth and depth, enhancing the apple flavor. |
| Caramel Bits/Sauce | Melts to offer a sweet, ooey-gooey caramel flavor, evoking childhood caramel apple treats. |
| Yellow Cake Mix | Provides a quick, easy, and delicious crumbly topping that contrasts with the apple pie filling. |
| Melted Butter | Binds the cake mix, enriching the dessert with a rich, buttery flavor and crumbly texture. |
Making Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Preparation. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Next, lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
Layering the Base. Spread the contents of both cans of apple pie filling across the bottom of the baking dish from the previous step. If you want to add some additional warmth, go ahead and sprinkle some cinnamon on top of the apple pie filling.
The Caramel Magic. Now it’s time for the caramel bits (or sauce if that’s what you’re using). Spread it evenly over the top of the apple pie filling so it melts into a decadent layer when it bakes.
Crumbly Topping. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the top of the caramel layer from the previous step. Be generous with it since you want a good coverage. That will help to ensure you get the perfect crumble.
Buttery Finish. Now it’s time to add the melted butter. Pour it over the dry cake mix and try to cover as much of it as you can. This will ensure the golden color you’d expect and the rich flavor you love.
Baking. Place the finished baking dish in the oven. Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the top turns golden brown. Ideally, the sides should bubble up slightly as well.
Cool & Serve. Remove the dessert from the oven and let it cool off for 10-15 minutes. Serve it warm and for an extra level of decadence, add a scoop of vanilla and some caramel drizzle to top it off!
| Step | Description |
| Preparation | Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish. |
| Layering the Base | Spread apple pie filling in dish; optionally sprinkle with cinnamon. |
| The Caramel Magic | Evenly distribute caramel bits or sauce over apple pie filling. |
| Crumbly Topping | Generously sprinkle dry yellow cake mix over caramel. |
| Buttery Finish | Pour melted butter over cake mix, ensuring good coverage. |
| Baking | Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown with slight bubbling on the sides. |
| Cool & Serve | Let cool for 10-15 minutes. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream and additional caramel. |
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cans 21 ounce each apple pie filling
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 8 oz caramel bits or caramel sauce
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Next, lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Spread the contents of both cans of apple pie filling across the bottom of the baking dish from the previous step. If you want to add some additional warmth, go ahead and sprinkle some cinnamon on top of the apple pie filling.
- Now it’s time for the caramel bits (or sauce if that’s what you’re using). Spread it evenly over the top of the apple pie filling so it melts into a decadent layer when it bakes.
- Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the top of the caramel layer from the previous step. Be generous with it since you want a good coverage. That will help to ensure you get the perfect crumble.
- Now it’s time to add the melted butter. Pour it over the dry cake mix and try to cover as much of it as you can. This will ensure the golden color you’d expect and the rich flavor you love.
- Place the finished baking dish in the oven. Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the top turns golden brown. Ideally, the sides should bubble up slightly as well.
- Remove the dessert from the oven and let it cool off for 10-15 minutes. Serve it warm and for an extra level of decadence, add a scoop of vanilla and some caramel drizzle to top it off!
Nutrition
Hi! I’m Natalie, a writer and a dessert connoisseur. I’ve been baking since I could reach the kitchen counter and I’ve never looked back. I love creating new recipes and putting a healthy twist on classic desserts. I believe that a balanced life includes a little bit of sweetness. When I’m not writing or in the kitchen, I’m probably out running or enjoying a good cup of coffee at my favorite local café.
