If you’re looking for the EASIEST dessert ever this caramel apple dump cake is just the recipe for you. It’s made with apple pie filling, caramels, yellow cake mix, and toasted nuts all baked up in one dish. Serve alone, topped with ice cream, or drizzled with extra caramel.
Are you looking for the BEST, EASY, and DELICIOUS dessert?
This caramel apple dump cake is exactly what you need!
Seriously, this dessert could not be easier.
Just throw the ingredients into the baking dish, bake, and BOOM dessert.
This dump cake recipe is packed full of apple pie spice flavor mixed with toasted pecans, buttery caramel, yellow cake, and sweet apples.
It’s a breeze to make and in total only needs 7 ingredients. Most of which might be hanging out in your pantry right this minute!
Plus the ultimate upside to making dump cake is that it doesn’t even require you to mix all the ingredients together.
It’s basically magic in cake form!
Table of Contents
What is a dump cake?
A dump cake gets its name because the ingredients are dumped into a pan and then baked!
That’s right – you don’t even stir it all together. If you look at the picture below this section you’ll see exactly what the cake will look like before you put it in the oven.
As far as texture goes a dump cake is sort of a cross between a fruit cobbler and a cake.
This is a very “semi-homemade” style of dessert but don’t let that stop you. It’s super delicious, super easy to make, and super
Caramel apple dump cake ingredients
- apple pie filling – you can use whatever your favorite apple pie filling is. I like Lucky Leaf!
- apple pie spice – this is a tasty mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and allspice. If you don’t have apple pie spice you can use just cinnamon or a mix of cinnamon with a dash of nutmeg.
- lemon juice – this is to help cut the sweetness of the pie filling and caramels. If you don’t have lemon juice you can use orange juice or apple cider.
- soft caramels – I like to use the Kraft-wrapped caramels you find in the candy section of the grocery store. If you can’t find that brand you will need about 1-1/2 cups of soft caramels.
- yellow cake mix – use whatever brand you like best. If you’re not a fan of yellow cake you can use spice cake or white cake.
- toasted pecans – if you’re not a pecan fan you can use toasted walnuts or leave the nuts out.
- unsalted butter – this is used on top of the cake before baking and helps everything bake up brown and delicious.
How to make caramel apple dump cake?
Making a dump cake could not be easier!
First, in a medium-sized mixing bowl, you’ll stir together apple pie filling, apple pie spice, and lemon juice.
Pour that into a 9×13 baking dish and spread it out smooth.
Top with diced caramels spread evenly with a DRY yellow cake mix, toasted pecans, and diced unsalted butter.
Bake, and DEVOUR!
Just remember, the cake mix is sprinkled DRY. You can see the full layout before baking a few pictures up.
Can I use a different cake mix?
Of course!
I think yellow cake mix works best with this dish but other great options are spice cake mix and white cake mix.
Looking to use a different filling? You have to try this pumpkin dump cake!
Do I have to use nuts?
No, but they do add a nice crunchy texture and bite of flavor.
If you’re not a fan of pecans you can use walnuts instead.
How can I top my caramel apple dump cake?
No matter how you top it, this dump cake is delicious!
My personal favorite is topping it with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of melted caramel but my husband’s favorite way is whipped cream.
Whatever way you top it you’ll love it!
How do I store leftover dump cake?
Leftover dump cake can be stored tightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
After that, it can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
You can freeze caramel apple dump cake for up to 3 months.
When I want to freeze, I bake the cake in a 9×13 disposable pan, let it cool, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Love this caramel apple dump cake?
Why not try a few of my other delicious apple recipes?
- Want a classic baked donut? Try my Baked Apple Cider Donuts.
- Need a fast and fun breakfast recipe? Try my Oatmeal Stuffed Breakfast Baked Apples.
- How about a classic dessert made super easy? Try my Easy Apple Turnovers.
- Do you like brown butter? You have to try my Brown Butter Vanilla Bean Apple Crisp.
- This classic flavor pairing is perfect! Try my Cinnamon Apple Streusel Bars.
- Craving the perfect ice cream topper? Try my Vanilla Spiced Apples.
Ingredients
- 3 20 ounce cans apple pie filling
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
- 1 11 ounce bag caramels, unwrapped and cut in half
- 1 15.2 ounce yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
- 1 cup unsalted butter cut into small chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray a 9×13 glass baking dish with non-stick spray, set aside.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl add apple pie filling, lemon juice, and apple pie spice. Stir together to combine.
- Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pan and smooth out.
- Arrange the caramel evenly over the apple pie fillings.
- Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over top.
- Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Place the chunks of butter over the top.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until the top starts to turn golden brown.
Notes
- If you can’t find an 11-ounce bag of soft caramels you need 1-1/2 cups of any other soft caramel.
- Replace the yellow cake mix with boxed spice cake or white cake mix.
- Substitute the pecans with walnuts or leave the nuts out of the dish.
- There is NO NEED TO STIR the mixture before baking. This is why it’s called a dump cake.
- If you have no lemon juice you can use apple cider or orange juice.
Nutrition
Janet W.
Saturday 7th of October 2023
Instead of unwrapping all those carmels can you substitute Carmel ice cream sauce?
nutmegnanny
Friday 24th of November 2023
Hi Janet - I have not tried this but if you do please let me know how it works out!