Caramel Apple Dump Cake

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Caramel Apple Dump Cake is an easy fall dessert that layers spiced apple pie filling, gooey caramel, and buttery cake mix into one crowd-pleasing, dump-and-bake treat—ready in under 30 minutes with just a handful of pantry staples.

a spoon lifting up a spoonful of caramel apple dump cake

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It is like a shortcut homemade apple pie, made with just a few pantry staples.
The dump-and-bake method means no mixing bowls or extra dishes.
Warm apple, caramel, and buttery cake in every bite.
Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or weeknight treats.
Bakes up golden and crisp on top with gooey layers underneath.

Ingredients Notes

Apple pie filling – You can use canned apple pie filling for convenience or make a homemade filling with fresh apples if you prefer.
Allspice – Adds warmth and depth. If you don’t have any on hand, substitute with a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, or use apple pie spice instead.
Cinnamon – Boosts the cozy fall flavor and pairs perfectly with apples and caramel.
Chewy caramels, halved – Werther’s Originals, Kraft, or even a store-brand caramel candy, all melt beautifully into the cake.
Yellow cake mix – Butter yellow cake mix gives the richest flavor, but white cake mix, vanilla cake mix, or spice cake mix works too. (If using spice cake, reduce the extra cinnamon.)
Salted butter – Salted adds balance to the sweetness, but unsalted works fine—just add a small pinch of salt.
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream – Optional, but highly recommended for serving. The creamy contrast takes this dessert over the top.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Recipe Variations

Different cake mixes – Swap yellow cake mix for vanilla, white, or spice cake mix (skip the extra cinnamon if using spice).
Fruit swaps – Try peach, cherry, strawberry, or blueberry instead of apple filling for a fun flavor twist.
Caramel options – Replace the chewy caramels with caramel bits for easier melting or drizzle caramel sauce over the cake after baking.
Toppings – Finish with crushed graham crackers, a sprinkle of sea salt, or even chopped nuts for added crunch and balance.

caramel apple dump cake with a scoop of ice cream.

How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Mix the filling: Pour both cans of apple pie filling into the bottom of the pan and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle with allspice and cinnamon, stir to combine, and smooth out. Add the halved caramels over the top.
Add the topping: Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the apples (do not stir). Arrange the butter slices evenly on top of the cake mix.
Bake: Bake uncovered for about 45 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the edges are bubbling and the top is golden brown.
Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake making steps collage: mixing the fillings in baking pan, pouring dry cake mix on top, add slices of butter on top of the mixture, dump cake ready to be served

Recipe Tips

Don’t stir the cake mix – Just sprinkle it on top for a perfectly crumbly, buttery texture.
Slice butter evenly – Distribute slices across the surface so the topping bakes golden and crisp. For a softer topping, pour melted butter over the cake mix instead of using slices.
Grease your pan – Spray the dish (or use a liner if baking in the crockpot) to prevent sticking.
Rest before serving – Let the cake sit 5–10 minutes so it sets and scoops neatly.

scooping a huge chunk of caramel apple dump cake from casserole dish.

Serving Suggestions

This apple dump cake is best served warm from the oven, but room temperature works well too. It makes a delicious dessert when paired with:

A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a creamy contrast.
A drizzle of caramel sauce to boost the gooey sweetness.
A sprinkle of chopped pecans, peanuts, or walnuts for a little crunch (optional).
A cozy drink like hot apple cider, coffee, or chai tea on a chilly night.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make caramel apple dump cake in the crockpot?

Yes! Cook on high for about 2 hours in a lined slow cooker until hot and bubbly.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

Absolutely. Double the recipe and bake in two 9×13 pans, or use a larger roasting pan. Bake time may be slightly longer—pull it out when the topping is golden and bubbling.

What’s the difference between dump cake and cobbler?

A dump cake is made by layering fruit filling, dry cake mix, and butter, no mixing required. A cobbler, on the other hand, typically has a biscuit or batter topping that’s mixed and spread over the fruit before baking.

Storage & Make Ahead Instructions

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm individual slices in the microwave or reheat the whole pan in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Freeze: Wrap tightly and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Make Ahead: Bake up to 1 day in advance, store tightly covered in plastic wrap in the fridge, and reheat before serving.

Top view of caramel apple dump cake served in a bowl

More Dump Cake Recipes to Try

If you love this easy caramel apple dump cake, try one of these crowd-pleasing favorites:

If you’ve tried this Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it turned out in the comments below.

Video

4.87 from 23 votes

Author — Jennifer Fishkind

Serves —

Caramel Apple Dump Cake is an easy to convert a classic pie into a conveniently prepared, dump and bake cake. So simple and can be made in minutes!

Print Rate Pin Save

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Total Time 55

Ingredients

▢ 2 20-ounce cans apple pie filling
▢ ¼ teaspoon allspice
▢ ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
▢ ½ 10.8 ounce bag Werther’s Original Chewy Caramels cut in half (or similar sized caramels)
▢ 1 box super moist butter yellow cake mix
▢ ¾ cup salted butter 1 ½ sticks, cut into 15 squares
▢ Vanilla ice cream for serving (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Dump both cans of apple pie filling into the baking dish. Sprinkle allspice and cinnamon over apples. Stir to mix. Smooth with a spatula.
2 20-ounce cans apple pie filling, ¼ teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Cut ½ of the bag of caramels in half. Sprinkle them over the top of the apples.
½ 10.8 ounce bag Werther’s Original Chewy Caramels
Top with DRY cake mix. Smooth with a spatula.
1 box super moist butter yellow cake mix
Evenly add cold butter pieces to the top of the cake
¾ cup salted butter
Place in the oven and let bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Rotate pan half way through cooking.
The cake is done when the sides of the cake are bubbling and it is golden brown on top.

Jenn’s Notes

Tip 1: Fight the urge to mix! I know this seems silly, but it’s harder than you might think. This cake will honestly turn out the best by just dumping all of your ingredients together. You really do not need to (nor should you) mix it up!

Tip 2: Whether you’re cooking this in a pan in the oven or in the crock pot, it’s super important that you remember to spray the pan or use a liner in your crockpot. Trust me when I say, you do not want to deal with pie filling being stuck like glue to your favorite pan or crock pot bowl!

How to Store Leftovers:

Leftover apple dump cake should be covered tightly with plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Info