This easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake only has 5 ingredients and takes just minutes to prepare! Enjoy a rich, sweet caramel apple filling with buttery spice cake.
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❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- As easy as it gets. This cake is so simple to make. Simply layer a few ingredients and bake!
- The perfect cake for fall. Get all of the flavors of fall in one cake, with rich, sweet apple filling and spice cake.
- Inexpensive. This whole cake is typically under $10, with 16 servings!
🍎 Ingredients
- 42oz apple pie filling - No need to use fresh apples, this does all the work for you! You'll get apples, a sweet glaze, and a little bit of spice all in one.
- 11oz caramel bits - These are available in the baking section. Go for the bits instead of full caramel candies - they melt much better!
- 15.25oz spice cake mix - Sometimes, spice cake mix is a seasonal find. If you can't locate it for some reason, you can use yellow cake mix with a tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice mixed in.
- 2 sticks butter - I like to have my butter cold for this recipe; it makes for easier cutting!
- 1 cup chopped pecans - These are optional, but they add a great crunch and richness to the cake.
Additions & Substitutions
- Use any fruit you'd like. This cake isn't limited to just apples! It's great with a berry or peach pie filling, too.
- Drizzle the top of your dump cake servings with caramel sauce for an even more decadent dessert!
Love dump cakes? You'll want to check out my lemon dump cake. I even have a full collection of dump cake recipes!
👩🏻🍳 How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- ADD APPLES. Pour the apple pie filling in the bottom of a 9x13" glass baking dish that's been sprayed with cooking spray.
- ADD CARAMEL BITS. Sprinkle caramel bits over apple pie filling.
- ADD CAKE MIX. Sprinkle cake mix over the apples and caramel. Don't mix!
- ADD BUTTER. Slice butter into ¼" pieces. Layer these over the cake mix. Again, don't mix!
- SPRINKLE PECANS. Sprinkle the pecans over the cake mix and butter.
- BAKE cake in the oven at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or until top of the cake starts to turn golden brown.
Can I cook this cake in a Crock Pot?
Yes, slow cooker prep is also an option! Layer ingredients in a Crock Pot and cook on high for 2-3 hours, similarly to how I made my Crock Pot Peach Cobbler.
This method will result in a softer cake layer instead of a golden brown top.
🎥 Step-by-Step Recipe Video
🍰 Leftovers & Storage
STORAGE: I recommend covering your baking dish and storing this cake in the refrigerator. It should be enjoyed within 3-4 days of baking.
REHEATING: Single servings of this cake can be microwaved for 35-40 seconds.
FREEZING: I don't recommend freezing dump cake; the layers just don't thaw well. For best texture, prepare fresh!
💡 More Helpful Tips & Tricks
- The key to a dump cake is not mixing the layers. I know it's tempting, but trust the process here! Everything will come together in buttery, sweet, rich perfection.
- I do like to check my dump cake about halfway through baking to make sure the butter is melting evenly. If you see dry cake mix pockets, you can very gently blend the butter into that dry mix.
- I highly recommend serving this cake with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!
More Great Fall Desserts
I can't wait to see what you think of this fun fall treat! 🍏 If you give it a try, I'd love for you to rate ⭐️ and review 💬 the recipe in the comments at the bottom of this post.
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
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Ingredients
- 42 oz apple pie filling
- 11 oz caramel bits
- 15.25 oz spice cake mix
- 2 sticks cold butter
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Spread the apple pie filling evenly in a greased 9x13" glass baking dish.
- Top the filling with caramel bits.
- Next, sprinkle the dry cake mix over the apples and caramel—no need to stir!
- Cut butter into ¼" slices and place them evenly over the cake mix. Again, no mixing!
- Finish by sprinkling pecans on top.
- Bake at 375°F for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Notes
- The secret to a perfect dump cake is resisting the urge to mix the layers. I know it’s tempting, but trust me—everything will bake into a buttery, sweet, and rich treat.
- I like to check on the cake about halfway through baking to ensure the butter is melting evenly. If you spot any dry patches of cake mix, you can gently swirl the butter into those areas.
- For the ultimate experience, serve each slice with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Nutrition Facts
Leslie Lambert is a lifestyle writer and content creator specializing in home organization, family recipes, and intentional living. With 16 years of experience in blogging and digital storytelling, she helps busy women create calm, purposeful homes they love.
