Just like with lemon blueberry dump cake and mixed berry dump cake, prep work is practically nonexistent if you buy ready-made ingredients. It’s the perfect dessert for lazy bakers!
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
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What’s A Dump Cake?
Dump cakes are very much like traditional fruit cobblers and often served warm with a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream on top. But unlike cobblers, you don’t need to mix up a batter.
As the name implies, a dump cake comes together by literally dumping a few ingredients into an oblong cake pan and mixing and layering them right in the pan. The whole thing is ready for the oven in about three minutes!
My yummy recipe for dump cake with apple pie filling and caramel uses these ingredients:
- Yellow cake mix
- Canned apple pie filling
- Caramel ice cream topping
- Salted butter
- Chopped pecans (optional)
- Cinnamon or apple pie spice (optional)
The beauty of a dump cake is that you can easily substitute other fruit fillings based on what you like, or just to experience several luscious varieties. Whatever fruit filling you use, your dump cake will always be a crowd-pleaser!
Here’s How I Make It
With only 4 main ingredients this caramel apple dump cake is quick and easy to make. The moistness of the apple pie filling binds perfectly with the dry cake mix to create a moist cake-crumble texture that is oh so delicious!
- Mix together apple pie filling and caramel right in the cake pan and spread evenly.
- Dump the dry cake mix evenly over pie filling.
- Pour melted butter over the top.
- Top with chopped pecans.
- Bake for about 45 minutes.
Serve warm topped with ice cream or whipped cream.
Can I Use Fresh Apples?
For a more homemade taste you can definitely use fresh apples! This way you can adjust some of the sugars as well. Fresh apples have a tartness that can provide a welcome counterbalance to the sugariness of the caramel and cake mix.
If using fresh apples, you will need to cook them in advance.
- Peel, core and slice 8 medium apples.
- Place in a covered pan, with an inch of water. Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 2/3 cup sugar, or to taste.
- Cook until softened but not mushy, stirring occasionally.
To cook off most of the water, remove the cover toward the end.
To thicken the sauce, mix some corn starch in with the juices.
- Mix 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch with two tablespoons water.
- After about 5 minutes or when apples are slightly soft add the cornstarch mixture and continue cooking until thickened.
Can I Make This in Advance?
Most baked goods taste best served fresh. But yes, you can make caramel apple dump cake in advance.
- In the refrigerator, it will last up to a week if stored in a tightly covered container.
- In the freezer, it will last up to four months. Just slice into squares in the pan, then freeze. When hardened, transfer the squares into plastic freezer containers.
This caramel apple dump cake, served warm with whipped cream or ice cream, is simple to make, deliciously sweet, and immensely satisfying — exactly what we want our dessert to be!
Delicious Apple Desserts
Caramel Apple Snickers Pie – simple but of so delicious!
Caramel Apple Pie Bites with only 4 ingredients! – sweet, tart, easy dessert.
Crock Pot Apple Cobbler Recipe – just 3 simple ingredients
Caramel Apple Poke Cake – covered in a sweet & sticky caramel sauce
Caramel Apple Trifle – layers of sweet spiced apples and pound cake!
Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe with 4 ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 (21 ounce cans) apple pie filling
- ½ cup caramel sauce
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon optional
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup melted butter
- ½ cup pecans chopped, optional
- whipped cream or ice cream optional for garnish
Instructions
- In a greased 9x13 dish, mix apple pie filling and caramel sauce.
- You may add in the ½ teaspoon cinnamon if desired.
- Spread evenly in pan.
- Pour dry cake mix directly on top of the pie filing and spread evenly.
- Top with melted butter and pecans (optional).
- Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes or until top is golden brown and apple filling is bubbly around the edges.
- Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
Video
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
©The Shortcut Kitchen. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
REPIN This Super Simple Recipe
Why can I not print this recipe? I am old school and can follow a written recipe easier than digitally.
Hi Barbara, I have tested this recipe and it seems to be printing okay. Once you click print it opens a secondary window to review before printing. I hope that helps!
I’m definitely going to try the apple dump cake recipe. Thanks so much for sharing!
We would love to hear how it turns out for you, Pat!
My cake didn’t cook evenly. There were places the cake mix didn’t cook at all. I spread it out evenly. Any ideas?
I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure Beverly. Often if you have places where the cake mix didn’t cook at all it’s because the butter didn’t spread to that area. Did you use the full cup of butter and make sure it was spread over the entire cake?
This desert was a big hit during thanksgiving dinner. So easy to make and everyone loved it
So happy to hear that Kim! Happy Thanksgiving!
Fabulous, wish I could post Picture
Thanks Deborah! We would love to see your photo! Tag us on Instagram using @centslessmeals 🙂
What size cans of pie filling should you use?
I use 21 oz cans, but you can use any similar size and get a good result.
Do you happen to have the nutrition information? I need to count calories. Uggh.
I calculate 601 calories excluding optional ingredients. Best bet is for you to enter your ingredients here to calculate your information based on the products you use (It’s free to use).
I made this for my Hubby – he loved it! – especially with vanilla ice cream on top.
So then he asked me to make it again for his elderly mother last weekend. We brought her a whole cake and the Cool Whip to put on top.
Now he wants me to make it with cherry pie filling instead of apple. Should I add the caramel sauce or omit it? And if I omit it, should I put something else in its place!
You can follow the recipe as is with cherries and it will be delicious Betty! Another option is my Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake.
I made it with yellow cake mix was delicous but next time im using spice cake im sure it will add extra yummy flavor !!
That sounds like an excellent idea Karren! Glad you loved this cake recipe!
Another variation is to use crushed pineapple & canned pitted tart cherries in water mixed together. The flavors blend wonderfully. Hubby’s co-workers beg for it throughout the year.
Thank you for the recipe! Also thank you for putting the example for what caramel to use. It’s really helpful!
2 sticks of butter equals one cup. One cup, melted means 2 sticks of butter melted *not one stick*.
Thi looks so easy to make and looks very good. I will be making this tonight.
they all looks good and taste good
If you would use blueberry or cherry pie filling do you still use the caramel
Personal preference. Let us know if you decided to use the caramel or not Dennis!
I can’t wait to try this in my three legged Lodge dutch oven.
All look yummy
Is there a similar recipe using peaches?
I haven’t tried it so can’t say for sure, but if you try replacing apple pie filling with peach pie filling, please let us know how it works out for you!
That is the first dump cake I made was with peaches! Was wonderful. I didn’t use Carmel in it though.
I make with peaches all the time! I don’t put pecans on it. I do add the cinnamon though. I use 2 cans peach filling or I use 1 can peach pie filling and 1 can Sliced peaches-drained syrup & rinsed. Always turns out great.
Looks good!
Love the Caramel Apple Dump Cake, so easy and so delicious!
Thank you!
Will definitely try! Thanks
I am making this ahead of time, what would be the best way to reheat?
Pop it into the oven for about 15 minutes, or until warm. It’ll microwave well on serving plates. Enjoy Mel!
Can’t wait to cook these recipes
I was printing the Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe and it calls for 2 sticks of butter, One melted and added to top of dry mix. What do we do with the other stick of butter?
I was wondering if you cut this recipe in half and use a 8×8 pan would you bake it for 30 to 35 minutes.
I have only tried this as written. If you try cutting it in half, please let us know how it works out for you!
Can you use an 8×8 pan??
I have only tried this as written. If you use the 8×8 pan, please let us know how it works out for you!
Love the receipe. Will try to make next time I need a dessert.
Anne, most dump cakes call for only one stick of butter. The one time I made one with two sticks it was too much. I think you would be good with just one stick.
No, you need the 2 sticks. If you use just 1 stick, it will have many dry places.
Yum
What size cans on the fruit?
I use 21 oz cans, but you can use any similar size and get a good result.
There are 7 ingredients to Caramel Apple Dump Cake, NOT 4 like it says.
Where is the recipe for apple dump cake
You can find it here. Enjoy!
Do you put this is the refrigerator?
I’ve been making this dump cake for a couple of years now and it is so easy to switch it up…be sure to add more cinnamon to the apple filling and I put the caramel on the top after baking….people love it. When I switch to cherry filling I also drizzle chocolate after drizzling the caramel. Make it your own, so easy.
So Where is the actual recipe ?? It’s not showing on this page. I see a picture and it tells the ingredients but no instructions.
The only ingredients i see are cake mix and apples that is only two so you say there is four i only see two.
It was ggggggggggrrrrrrrrreeeeeeaaaaaatttttttttt. Pppppppeeeeeoooooopppppplllllleeeeee
I’ll making this right now and report back with my results I love dump cakes I make a lot I have homage recipes but I am going to let someone’s else recipe fly with. My family and see if they like it I don’t know well. See I’m not going to tell them that it is not my recipe and see how it is
I made this receipe to a T and some of the cake mix was still on the top. ????
My daughter in law made this for Thanksgiving dinner. It was so good. I made one today to take to my father in laws for a early Christmas dinner. It will be a go to recipe for special occasions. Not something you want to have around the house all the time, it’s just too good!!
i THINK FUDGE SAUCE WOULD BE GOOD WITH THE CHERRY FILLING. NOT SURE ABOUT BLUEBERRY THOUGH
This was delicious. So easy to make. Recipe is a keeper. Tried it with some vanilla ice cream.
Absolutely delicious out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Even better the next day…
Wouldn’t change anything and will make this again!!
Do you use carmel if making with cherry filing?
I would try chocolate sauce but omit the caramel.
Do you use some other sauce besises carmel whe making ot with cherries?
Don’t overthink this recipe…instructions are clear enough…dry cake mix is dry cake mix!!!
I mix one stick of butter (melted) with the cake mix and crumble it on top of the pie filling and bake about 40 minutes oat 350
I used the low fat stuff it works fine. Taste just as good.
does this need to be refrigerated?
HOW MUCH PIE FILLING?
This seems so yummy!!!! is there a way to make it in a crockpot?
Could you use real apples instead of Apple Pie Filling?
To all of the people asking “Do I mix the dry cake mix into a batter?” … NO! The butter absorbs into the dry cake mix and makes a terrific buttery crust!
I do the same thing with canned pumpkin instead of apples. Add some cinnamon, nutmeg, a dash of cloves, and a couple of eggs. Mix well and pour into a deep 9×13. Sprinkle with a dry yellow cake mix, the melted butter. It is a great change from plain pumpkin pie!
@ Britney just use the cake mix straight from the box, I just made this and it was very good 🙂
Ok…im still a little confused. Where it says dry cake mix. Do that mean take the cake mix and make a batter or just take it directly from the box and pour. Need a little clarification plz someone i really want to make this.
I made this last night, using spice cake mix and Smucker’s apple cinnamon topping instead of caramel. It was fantastic! With a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, it was to die for!
I make this but use caramel cake mix and mix the batter pour over ingredients. Minus the butter.
Making this this afternoon to take to a fall festival at a friends house. I know it will be a hit!!
Been making “dump cakes” for yeeeeeeeeears & have YET to find ANYONE I’ve served them to who HASN’T raved & raved & ABSOLUTELY ❤LOOOOOOVED❤ THEM!!!!
Of all the different “Dump Cakes” I’ve had over the years, I honestly think THIS one is my absolute favorite…..I honestly just CANNOT BELIEVE I’ve only come across, found, made, brought to NUMEROUS gatherings & ❤LOOOOOOOVED❤ THIS particular variation over the last coupla months!!! WHERE’VE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE, CADC???? We’ve made several variations….used marge instead of butter, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, etc., and literally
-E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E- who’s tried them have LOVED them. Our absolute fave though is served warm with natural vanilla ice cream. And even friends who can’t make TOAST have conquered this!!! BeSt Of LuCk To Y’aLL….yOu’LL lOvE iT!!!!!!
Going to try this recipe and was wondering if part of the butter could perhaps be substituted with apple sauce? I will try that and report back if anyone is interested. 🙂
I exchanged part of the butter (1/2 cup) with water and used a spice cake. I am going to use one stick next time and half a cup of water.
Everybody asked me to make it again
I have made it with cherry pie filling, too. Added a splash of almond flavoring in place of cinnamon. Used a jiffy cake mix in 8×8 pan. So rich, a small serving is all that is needed, especially when served warm with ice cream.
Made this oh so easy apple / Caramel dump cake to go with Sunday dinner. My whole family LOVED it. One thought I had purchased it from a very good bakery shop. Best ever!!
Please, keep up the great work.
I made this in a crock pot before. Spray it first. Add ingredients as described in recipe. On LOW it takes about 4 hours or Hi about 2 hours. yum 🙂
I split the recipe an made two 8 x 8 and froze one for emergency desert.
I too cut the recipe in half and it was a great one time desert treat for my family. Used an 8×8 pan.
Made this today and used a spice cake mix instead of yellow cake. Very good. Think the apples need a little more cinnamon and maybe nutmeg.
I am going to make this.Love apples in cake.
This was great! Cut everything in half and did it in an 8×8. Saved the other half of cake mix to try with cherries or blueberry pie filling.
Why would anyone think this is diet conscious? Of course it’s FATNING!! That’s why it will be SOOOOO good!!!
Sounds delicious….one I do believe I will try. Thank you for sharing recipes. Great new ideas for desserts among meal ideas.
Baked with I can’t believe its not butter & pecans…added lite cool whip and it was so good!!! Just as good the next day too! None left after that as my gang finished it off! Trying it on my co-workers next!
Sorry cake mix. It’s mid of night just let dogs out and don’t have glasses on lol
Shannon asked if you prepare cake mike? No! It says dry spread ( dry) cake mix over pie filling.
Can this be made with “real” apples instead of apple pie filling?
Beth the real apples will take way longer and your crescent rolls will get done waaaay before the apples, hope this helps
So delicious! We loved it so much I’m taking it to work tomorrow for the office Birthdays of the month.
Ann – Use a margarine with a high oil content, much cheaper than butter.
Do you prepare the cake mix as directed or what
Only for work—Can’t do all those cal’s and GMO’s
will try this cake on Thurs.
How can this be poormans!? TWO sticks of butter!! i can only afford ipack(4stick)a month, to use 2 fot one meal is WAY to extravegant.. sounds like it might taste good though and Way to much fat and sugar for my dietary regeme.
How is it served, cut or spooned out?
This sounds so yummy. I love new recipes for apples. And four ingredients is great. thanks.
Could you use white cake mix also?
White cake mix should work just fine Pamella. Enjoy!