This Caramel Apple Dump Cake is a quick and easy shortcut dessert that tastes good enough to serve for company. Just six simple ingredients including apple pie filling, cinnamon, nutmeg, cake mix, and butter are dumped in a pan, baked and the results are amazing!
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
This Caramel Apple Dump Cake reminds me of fall when apples are harvested, but we like to make it all year long. It’s perfect for a summer picnic, family meal, potluck, and more. With just six ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time, you can enjoy this simple apple dessert anytime you want. This Dump Cake is a favorite and the caramel takes it to a whole other level of amazing.
What is a Dump Cake?
A ‘dump cake’ is a cake using ingredients that are literally dumped in a baking dish together. There is no mixing required, and no extra dirty dishes or mixing bowls have to be cleaned. Usually, fruit or canned fruit is used as the base. Top with a boxed cake mix and a wet ingredient like melted butter. Don’t miss these other great dump cake recipes: Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake | Easy Peach Dump Cake | Instant Pot Pina Colada Dump Cake
Ingredients You Will Need:
(the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the easy to print recipe card):
- Apple pie filling – any apple pie filling brand will work or make our delicious homemade apple pie filling.
- Ground cinnamon – the extra cinnamon really makes the apple pie filling taste good!
- Ground nutmeg – some nutmeg adds a little hint of spice to the apples.
- Kraft caramels – unwrap the caramels and cut each in half
- Yellow cake mix – do not prepare the cake mix; leave it dry.
- Butter – cut the butter into ¼ inch thick pats. It’s best to use salted butter. Do not use margarine.
How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9 glass dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together apple pie filling, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pan and smooth out evenly.
- Arrange the caramels over top of the apple filling.
- Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the caramels.
- Place the pats of butter evenly over the top of the whole dessert.
- Bake the dump cake at 350F for 45 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the edges are bubbling. Cool slightly before serving.
What to Serve with Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- Vanilla ice cream
- Warm caramel sauce
- Ground cinnamon or cinnamon sugar
- Whipped cream
How to Store the Leftovers
Keep the leftover cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight food storage container. Keep the cake at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Tips and Tricks
- Additional spices can be added to the apple pie filling layer. A sprinkling of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, or allspice, are all wonderful spices to stir in to ramp up the the flavor.
- Yellowcake mix is what we use in this recipe, however, white cake mix and spice cake mix are also great flavor options!
More Apple Cake Recipes You Will Love
- Cinnamon Apple Cake
- Apple Butter Cake
- Apple Cider Donut Cake
- Upside Down Apple Cake
- Layered Apple Spice Cake
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cans (20 ounce) apple pie filling
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups Kraft caramels unwrapped and each cut in half
- 1 box dry yellow cake mix
- 1 cup butter cut into ¼ inch thick pats
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together apple pie filling, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pan and smooth out evenly.
- Arrange the caramels over top of the apple filling. Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the caramels.
- Place the pats of butter evenly over the top of the whole dessert.
- Bake the dump cake at 350F for 45 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the edges are bubbling.
- Cool slightly before serving.
Last Step:
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115 comments on “Caramel Apple Dump Cake”
This was absolutely delicious! I did substitute Carmel sauce for the individually wrapped carmels and just drizzled it on the apple layer and then served with ice cream and a little Carmel drizzle. So easy and sooo good! Thanks for the recipe.
Thank you Melissa!
Wonderful – easy- delicious. At my age – greeting company with something as easy as this receipe and coffee is a hit. Thank you
Love this recipe! Hardest part was unwrapping the caramels. Such an easy recipe. Served warm with vanilla ice cream. Lots of compliments!
Thanks Vicki!
Fantastic recipe. I have taken it to several gatherings and it is always a hit. So easy to make!
My family loved every bite and wanted more. I’m so happy I received this recipe.
That’s great Lucille. Thanks!
Some caramels didn’t melt. Hard chewy bites. I’d use caramel sauce next time
Love this easy dump cake I give it a 5 star.
Thanks Judy!
Can I used jarred caramel sauce?
Hi Dee. Yes, the jarred sauce will work as well.
The Caramel apple dump cake recipe was a big hit for Thanksgiving. So much so that I am making it again for the other side of the family for Christmas. Very tasty and easy to put together!
Glad to hear it Melanie! Thanks!
Absolutely amazing!!! Everyone just loved it!
So glad it was a hit. Thanks Candie!
Can. This be made in a crockpot?
Hi Lu. Yes, you can make this in the crockpot. Add the ingredients in the slow cooker, cover and cook on high for 2 hours. Check the caramels to make sure they are melted before serving.
Going to try this out for thanksgiving. Do I use a alted or unsalted butter?
Hi Jessica. Since this recipe uses no other salt, you will be fine using either depending on your preference.
I had werther originals on hand so I used them and some caramel topping, had it with vanilla ice cream! Delicious!!!
I make this every fall for gatherings and its always a favorite!
Uses 2 boxes of yellow cake mix??
and 4 cans of apple pie filling??
I just need to confirm please.
Hi Carol. I think you have the 2x clicked in the recipe card for doubling the recipe. Just one box and two cans for the recipe unless you are doubling it.
So 2 cans that are 20oz each or 20 ox total??
Hi Jaclynn. You’ll use two 20 oz cans.