Name: Caramel Apple Dump Cake - Dump Cake Recipes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 cans apple pie filling (or 4 cups fresh apples, peeled and sliced); 1 box yellow cake mix; 1 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1/2 cup caramel sauce, plus more for topping; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional); Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving

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When I first made this Caramel Apple Dump Cake, I didn’t expect it to smell like pure autumn joy in the oven, but here we are. This cake is the kind of dessert that doesn’t wait for an occasion—you make it when you crave something warm, sweet, and full of that homemade magic. It’s part apple crisp, part cobbler, part miracle. If you’ve got a can opener, a baking dish, and a little curiosity, you’re halfway there. What makes this one so special is the way the caramel melts down into the soft apples and golden cake mix, creating layers of buttery sweetness that almost feel too easy to pull off. I like to think of this recipe as my lazy-day hero. No mixers, no fancy folding, just pure comfort straight from the oven. The best part? It looks like you spent hours on it, but you’ll know it only took minutes. Among all my favorite dump cake recipes, this one sits proudly at the top—no competition. So grab those apples, grab that caramel, and let’s turn an ordinary evening into something cozy, gooey, and unforgettable. It’s one of those apple cake recipes that remind you why baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be absolutely perfect.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe
3) Ingredients for Caramel Apple Dump Cake
4) How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake
5) Tips for Making Caramel Apple Dump Cake
6) Making Caramel Apple Dump Cake Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Caramel Apple Dump Cake
8) Try these dessert recipes next!
9) Caramel Apple Dump Cake
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This Caramel Apple Dump Cake from Nancy Cooks brings the comfort of warm apples and buttery caramel together in one easy dessert.
You only need a few pantry staples to make this cozy treat.
Perfect for fall, family dinners, or any night when you crave something sweet without fuss.
Pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

2) Easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe

I’ll be honest, this Caramel Apple Dump Cake feels like cheating in the best way possible. The first time I made it, I thought, “Can something this simple really taste that good?” And yes, it absolutely can. The beauty of dump cake recipes is that you don’t need to fuss with mixing bowls or fancy techniques—you just layer, bake, and enjoy.

Every time this bakes in my kitchen, it fills the house with a sweet, cozy aroma that makes me think of crisp leaves, cinnamon-spiced candles, and those lazy fall afternoons where you just want something warm. It’s like the season itself wrapped in a dessert dish. You get soft apples, buttery cake topping, and that sticky caramel magic that feels like a hug in every bite.

Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of apple cake recipes, but this one wins hearts every single time. Whether you use canned apple pie filling or fresh apples from the orchard, this cake never disappoints. It’s easy, it’s comforting, and it’s the best apple cake recipe ever if you ask me. For more ideas like this, check out Nancy Cooks at https://www.nancycooks.com.

3) Ingredients for Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Apple Pie Filling: I like to use two cans of apple pie filling for this recipe. You can swap them for four cups of fresh apples if you’d rather peel and slice your own. Either way, the flavor will shine.

Caramel Sauce: Use the thick kind that sticks to the spoon. I drizzle it over the apples before baking and again afterward for extra sweetness.

Yellow Cake Mix: Just one box. It’s the secret behind that golden, crumbly top. It saves time and still tastes homemade.

Butter: Melted butter gives the cake that rich, buttery crust that keeps people guessing if you spent hours baking.

Cinnamon: Adds that warm touch that makes the apples pop. I never skip it.

Pecans or Walnuts: Totally optional, but they add a little crunch that makes every bite interesting.

Whipped Cream or Vanilla Ice Cream: The final touch that makes this dessert go from simple to unforgettable.

4) How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. I like to use a bit of butter—it fits the vibe of this dessert.

Step 2. Spread the apple pie filling evenly across the dish. If you’re using fresh apples, toss them with a spoonful of sugar first to bring out their natural sweetness.

Step 3. Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples. Watch how it seeps into every crevice—that’s the magic starting to happen.

Step 4. Sprinkle the dry cake mix right on top. Don’t stir. It’s called dump cake for a reason, and that’s part of the charm.

Step 5. Pour melted butter evenly over the mix. Try to cover as much as possible so you get a golden top instead of dry patches.

Step 6. Add chopped nuts if you like a little crunch. Then bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the edges bubble with caramel goodness.

Step 7. Let it cool for ten minutes before serving. It’s hard to wait, I know, but the caramel needs that time to settle. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the best dessert experience ever.

5) Tips for Making Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Use real butter, not margarine. The flavor difference is noticeable and worth it. I’ve tried both, and the butter wins every time. It gives the topping that rich, golden finish that makes this cake irresistible.

If you’re using fresh apples, pick firm ones like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold up beautifully during baking and balance the caramel’s sweetness. Soft apples tend to turn mushy too fast, and you lose that nice texture.

I love serving this warm with ice cream, but if you’re making it ahead, just reheat it for a few minutes in the oven. It brings back that just-baked aroma that makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking, “What’s that smell?”

6) Making Caramel Apple Dump Cake Ahead of Time

This dessert holds up surprisingly well, which makes it a lifesaver during busy weeks or holidays. You can assemble everything ahead of time, keep it covered in the fridge, and bake it when you’re ready to serve. The house will smell incredible within minutes.

If you’ve already baked it, store it in the fridge and reheat it in the oven when needed. The top gets slightly crisp again, and the caramel melts back into the apples. You’ll never guess it’s reheated.

I’ve made this for family gatherings, and every single time, people ask for the recipe. There’s something about the simplicity of dump cake recipes that brings people together. It’s nostalgic, effortless, and just plain delicious.

7) Storing Leftover Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for three days, though I doubt it’ll last that long. When you reheat it, just pop it in the oven for about 10 minutes, and it’ll be good as new.

If you prefer it cold, that’s fine too. The caramel thickens slightly in the fridge, making it rich and chewy. Some people even enjoy it straight from the pan with a spoon—I won’t judge.

This easy apple cake recipe is one of those desserts that gets better with time. Each spoonful feels like a warm memory you can eat again and again.

8) Try these dessert recipes next!

9) Caramel Apple Dump Cake