If you’re craving a dessert that’s both comforting and incredibly simple to make, this Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe is your new best friend. Imagine tender, cinnamon-spiced apples swimming in rich caramel sauce, topped with a buttery, golden spice cake crust that practically melts in your mouth. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart with a delightful crunch, all coming together with minimal effort. Whether it’s for a cozy family dinner or an impromptu gathering, this dessert delivers big on flavor without demanding hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but crucial, each playing a role in building the dessert’s flavor, texture, and irresistible aroma. With pantry staples and just a couple of cans, you’ll have everything needed to whip up this masterpiece in no time.
- Apple pie filling: The star of the dish, providing tender, spiced apples that create a moist, fruity base.
- Caramel sauce: Adds a luscious, sticky sweetness that perfectly complements the tartness of the apples.
- Spice cake mix: Brings warmth and complexity with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, while forming a soft, crumbly topping.
- Butter: Sliced thinly to melt over the dry cake mix, it ensures a golden, crispy crust with decadent richness.
How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure an effortless serving experience later on. This sets the stage for your delicious creation.
Step 2: Layer the Apple Pie Filling
Pour the apple pie filling evenly into the dish, making sure to spread those tender, cinnamon-infused apple chunks across every inch. This even layer ensures each bite bursts with sweet, spiced fruitiness.
Step 3: Drizzle the Caramel Sauce
Next, gently drizzle the caramel sauce over the apples. This creates pockets of rich, buttery sweetness that melt into the fruit as it bakes, deepening the flavors beautifully.
Step 4: Add the Spice Cake Mix
Now sprinkle the dry spice cake mix evenly across the top. It might feel a little unusual to add a cake mix without any wet ingredients, but trust me, this is what forms that delectable, crunchy crust.
Step 5: Top with Butter
Slice your butter thinly and distribute the slices evenly over the cake mix. These buttery bits melt during baking, giving the topping a golden-brown finish and that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Pop your dish into the preheated oven and bake for about one hour. You’ll know it’s ready when the top looks beautifully golden and bubbly, and the house smells like a cozy autumn afternoon.
Step 7: Serve Warm
This cake is best enjoyed warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce to make every bite heavenly.
How to Serve Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes elevate this humble dump cake into a showstopper. A generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream is classic and irresistible, melting into the warm cake. Consider sprinkling chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for an added crunch and a nutty contrast.
Side Dishes
While this dessert shines on its own, pairing it with a cup of rich coffee or spiced chai can enhance the cozy vibe. For a festive dinner, serve alongside a light salad to balance the sweetness and keep things fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
For an extra special touch, serve the Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe in individual ramekins or mason jars. Layer a bit of whipped cream on top and a caramel drizzle for a charming presentation perfect for parties or date nights.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen as it sits, making day two just as delicious as the first.
Freezing
This dump cake freezes beautifully. Wrap the cooled cake tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat slices in the microwave for about 30 seconds to one minute or warm it in a 350°F oven until heated through and the topping is crisp again. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to recreate that freshly baked feel!
FAQs
Can I use fresh apples instead of apple pie filling?
Absolutely! If you prefer fresh apples, peel and slice about 6-7 medium apples, toss them with cinnamon, sugar, and a bit of lemon juice, then proceed as usual. Just be mindful the texture and moisture content might vary slightly.
Is there a dairy-free alternative for the butter?
Yes! You can substitute the butter with your favorite dairy-free margarine or coconut oil slices. These alternatives will still deliver that lovely golden crust you’re after.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe, simply swap the spice cake mix for a gluten-free version. Ensure other ingredients are certified gluten-free, and you’re good to go!
How sweet is this dessert? Can I adjust the sweetness?
This dessert strikes a balance between tart apples and sweet caramel and cake crust, but if you prefer less sweetness, choose a low-sugar apple pie filling or reduce the caramel sauce depending on your taste.
Do I need to stir the cake at any point?
No stirring required here! The magic of a dump cake lies in layering the ingredients and baking them as is. The cake mix and butter create a crust naturally while the apples and caramel stay succulent underneath.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so wonderfully comforting about the Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe — it’s easy to make, impressive to serve, and delicious every single time. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting, this dessert brings a little warmth and sweetness to your day with zero fuss. Give it a try and watch it become one of your instant favorites!
Print
Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Caramel Apple Dump Cake is a simple and comforting dessert that layers tender apple pie filling with rich caramel sauce, topped with a spiced cake mix and buttery slices. Baked until golden and bubbly, it delivers a wonderful combination of warm spices and gooey sweetness that’s perfect for cozy family gatherings or an easy weeknight treat.
Ingredients
Fruit Filling
- 42 ounces apple pie filling (2 cans, 21 ounces each)
- ½ cup caramel sauce
Cake Topping
- 15 ounces spice cake mix
- 12 tablespoons butter, sliced thinly
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and prepare for the cake assembly.
- Layer Apple Filling: Spread the apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the fruity base of the dessert.
- Add Caramel Sauce: Drizzle the ½ cup of caramel sauce evenly over the apple filling for a rich, sweet layer that enhances the apple flavor.
- Sprinkle Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle the dry spice cake mix over the apple and caramel layers, distributing it well to create a uniform topping.
- Top with Butter: Slice the butter thinly and place the slices evenly over the cake mix layer; this butter will melt during baking to create a moist, golden crust.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly, ensuring the cake is cooked through and flavorful.
- Serve: Allow to cool slightly, then serve warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream and extra caramel sauce for added indulgence.
Notes
- This cake is best served warm to enjoy the melty caramel and tender apples.
- For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free spice cake mix.
- You can swap the apple pie filling with fresh sliced apples tossed with cinnamon and sugar for a fresher version, but increase baking time accordingly.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
- Adding nuts like chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking can add a nice crunch.
