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Caramel Apple Dump Cake is an easy dessert recipe that is a lot like cobbler. Apple pie filling, caramel sauce, cake mix, and butter is all you need to make this fall treat. Best served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Close up of a bowl full of caramel apple dump cake and vanilla ice cream on top.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

When fall is on its way, apple desserts are sure to follow.

This Caramel Apple Dump Cake is one of the EASIEST desserts EVER. And it’s just as delicious as it is easy.

With apple pie filling and caramel on the bottom, and a sweet and crunchy buttery cake on top, what’s not to love?

Top view of two bowls of apple cobbler with caramel sauce and ice cream melting on top.

Why is it called dump cake?

The reason why dump cakes are so loved, is because you literally dump ingredients into a dish and then bake it.

It’s not the most appetizing name, but with very minimal prep and cleanup, dump cakes are a dessert win!

Everyone loves a warm dump cake with sweet fruit, crunchy cake, and creamy ice cream. A must!

It’s basically a form of cobbler — and is the easiest cobbler you will ever make.

Baking pan with a spoon scooping up some caramel apple dump cake.

Alternative to Pie

Caramel apple dump cake is a great alternative to pie for the holidays.

It’s cheap and easy to make, but feels special, AND feeds a crowd. With extra caramel and vanilla ice cream melting on top, everyone will be swooning!

Top view of two bowls of apple cobbler with caramel sauce and ice cream melting on top.

Ingredients

For this dump cake you will need four ingredients:

  • Cake Mix
  • Butter
  • Caramel Sauce
  • Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients for Caramel Apple Dump Cake: Cake Mix, Butter, Caramel Sauce, and Apple Pie Filling.

How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake

  1. Spread apple pie filling in the bottom of a lightly greased 13×9-inch pan.
  2. Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over the apple pie filling.
  3. Sprinkle cake mix over the caramel.
  4. Layer thinly sliced pats of butter over cake mix.

(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)

Collage image of recipe steps. 1 - Spread apple pie filling in 13x9-inch pan. 2 - Drizzle caramel over apple pie filling. 3 - Sprinkle cake mix over caramel. 4 - Place thinly sliced pats of butter over cake mix.

Baking and Serving

BAKE at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 50-60 minutes or until the top is browned and filling is bubbling in the center.

Serve caramel apple dump cake warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and extra caramel sauce, if desired. Whipped cream would also be delicious. Enjoy!

Baking pan with a spoon scooping up some caramel apple dump cake.

Substitutions and Tips

FRESH APPLES – If you have fresh apples, you can substitute canned for homemade apple pie filling.

CAKE MIX – Yellow, white, or spice cake mix would taste best for this caramel apple dump cake.

ADDITIONS – Feel free to add some spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or apple pie spice to the apples. You can also sprinkle nuts over the cake batter if you wanted. Make it your own!

BUTTER – For the butter, it’s best to use unsalted butter and slice it very thin. You want it to melt over the whole top of the cake so you don’t have any dry spots. You can always use more butter if you’re worried about it. Or melt the butter and combine it with a 1/4 cup of milk to make it go a little further. Adding milk will also make the cake more fluffy instead of crisp.

Close up side view of bowl full of caramel apple dump cake and vanilla ice cream.

To Store

Cover the pan with foil or transfer the dessert to an airtight container. You can store this caramel apple dump cake at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

Scoop leftovers individually into a microwave safe bowl and nuke until heated through. Enjoy with vanilla ice cream and extra caramel sauce.

Caramel apple dump cake served up in small bowls with vanilla ice cream and caramel on top.

More Easy Apple Desserts

If You Make This Recipe, Please Rate and Review it in the Comments Below. THANKS!

Close up of a bowl full of caramel apple dump cake and vanilla ice cream on top.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 10 servings

Caramel Apple Dump Cake is an easy dessert recipe that is a lot like cobbler. Apple pie filling, caramel sauce, cake mix, and butter is all you need to make this fall treat. Best served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

  • 1 (15.25oz) box yellow cake mix
  • 2 (21oz) cans apple pie filling
  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce
  • 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp) unsalted butter, sliced thin

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray. Then spread apple pie filling on the bottom.
  3. Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over the apple pie filling.
  4. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the caramel.
  5. Place thinly sliced pats of butter over cake mix. (The goal is for the butter to melt and cover the entire cake.)
  6. Bake at 350˚F for 50-60 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and the filling is bubbling in the center.

*Enjoy caramel apple dump cake warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and extra caramel sauce, if desired.

*To Store: Cover the pan with foil or transfer the dessert to an airtight container. You can store this caramel apple dump cake at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

*Scoop leftovers individually into a microwave safe bowl and nuke until heated through. Enjoy with ice cream and extra caramel sauce.

Notes

  • FRESH APPLES – If you have fresh apples, you can substitute canned for homemade apple pie filling.
  • CAKE MIX – Yellow, white, or spice cake mix would taste best for this caramel apple dump cake.
  • ADDITIONS – Feel free to add some spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or apple pie spice to the apples. You can also sprinkle nuts over the cake batter if you wanted. Make it your own!
  • BUTTER – For the butter, it’s best to use unsalted butter and slice it very thin. You want it to melt over the whole top of the cake so you don’t have any dry spots. You can always use more butter if you’re worried about it. Or melt the butter and combine it with a 1/4 cup of milk to make it go further. Adding milk will also make the cake more fluffy instead of crisp.

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    Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1/10
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 258Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 454mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 1gSugar: 36gProtein: 2g

    This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix, and is an estimation only.

    author: Amber | Dessert Now Dinner Later / Cuisine: American / Category: Pies, Cheesecake, and Other Desserts
    © Dessert Now Dinner Later. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-create the recipe, snap YOUR OWN PHOTO and re-write the recipe in YOUR OWN WORDS, or link back to this post for the recipe.