Caramel Apple Dump Cake is a simple, cozy dessert that resembles a cobbler. With apple pie filling, caramel sauce, boxed cake mix, and butter, this fall favorite comes together quickly and is best served warm with vanilla ice cream.
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
When cooler weather arrives, apple desserts are always a hit. This Caramel Apple Dump Cake is one of the easiest desserts you can make—no rolling, no crust, just layers of flavor baked until bubbly and golden.
A layer of apple pie filling and caramel forms a rich base, while a dry cake mix topped with pats of butter bakes into a sweet, crisp topping. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of hot and cold.
Why is it called dump cake?
Dump cakes get their name from the straightforward method: you literally “dump” the ingredients into a baking pan and bake. The name might sound informal, but the result feels special—minimal prep, minimal clean-up, and maximum flavor.
This style of dessert is essentially a no-fuss cobbler: fruit and sauce on the bottom with a cake-like topping that becomes crisp and golden in the oven.
Alternative to Pie
Caramel apple dump cake is a wonderful holiday alternative to traditional pie. It’s budget-friendly, quick to prepare, and makes a generous pan that feeds a crowd. Add extra caramel and a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’ve got an indulgent dessert everyone will love.
Ingredients
This recipe uses just four main ingredients:
- Boxed cake mix (yellow, white, or spice work well)
- Unsalted butter, sliced thin or cut into pats
- Caramel sauce
- Apple pie filling (canned or homemade)
How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch pan, then spread the apple pie filling evenly across the bottom.
- Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the apples.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the caramel layer.
- Arrange thin slices or small pats of unsalted butter across the top so the butter will melt and moisten the cake mix.
See the printable recipe card below for full measurements and timing.
Baking and Serving
Bake at 350°F for 50–60 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the filling is bubbling in the center. Allow it to rest a few minutes, then scoop and serve warm with vanilla ice cream and extra caramel sauce. Whipped cream is a nice option as well.
Substitutions and Tips
Fresh apples: If you prefer, use homemade apple pie filling made from fresh apples for a less sweet, fresher flavor.
Cake mix: Yellow, white, or spice cake mixes are best—spice adds warm fall notes if you want that flavor profile.
Additions: Stir ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or apple pie spice into the apples before assembling. Chopped nuts sprinkled on top before baking add crunch.
Butter: Unsalted butter sliced very thin helps the top melt and brown evenly. If you’re short on butter, melt it and combine with a few tablespoons of milk to stretch it and create a slightly softer topping.
To Store
Cover the pan with foil or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store at room temperature for 2–3 days, or refrigerate up to one week. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warm and serve with ice cream and extra caramel.
More Easy Apple Desserts
- Apple Fritters
- Snickerdoodle Apple Pie
- Apple Sheet Cake
- Apple Crumble Bars
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Apple Crisp
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz box yellow cake mix (378 g)
- 21 oz can apple pie filling (595 g)
- ½ cup caramel sauce (160 g)
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (170 g), about 12 Tbsp, sliced thin
Equipment
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9×13-inch pan
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Spatula
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Serving utensil
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Lightly grease a 9×13-inch pan. Spread apple pie filling across the bottom.
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Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over the apples.
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Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the caramel layer.
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Place thin pats or slices of butter over the cake mix so it will melt and moisten the top.
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Bake 50–60 minutes, until the top is lightly browned and the filling bubbles in the center.
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Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and extra caramel sauce if desired.
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Storage: Cover and keep at room temperature 2–3 days or refrigerate up to 1 week.
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Reheat leftovers in the microwave until warm and enjoy with ice cream.
Notes
- Fresh apples – Use homemade apple pie filling if you prefer fresh fruit.
- Cake mix – Yellow, white, or spice mixes all work well.
- Additions – Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or apple pie spice to the apples; sprinkle nuts on top for extra texture.
- Butter – Unsalted and sliced thin helps the butter melt evenly; you can melt butter and mix with a splash of milk for a softer topping.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
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