Effortless Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe: Fall’s Sweetest Treat

Whipping up a delightful caramel apple dump cake can turn an ordinary afternoon into a sweet celebration of comfort.

Seasonal apples bring magic to this incredibly simple dessert that requires minimal effort.

Layers of tender fruit, rich caramel, and buttery cake crumbles create a mouthwatering treat everyone will adore.

Crisp autumn afternoons call for something warm and indulgent from the oven.

Simple ingredients merge into a rustic dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Minimal prep means you can have this delectable creation ready in no time.

Prepare to be amazed by how quickly this dessert comes together and fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

Why Caramel Apple Dump Cake Is Cozy And Irresistible

• Capture Comfort Quickly: A mouthwatering dessert that transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing treat without complex techniques.
• Minimal Prep Magic: Requires no advanced baking skills, making it perfect for novice cooks or busy individuals craving a delicious homemade dessert.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for potlucks, family gatherings, and casual celebrations, this dessert appeals to all ages with its sweet and gooey texture.
• No-Fuss Indulgence: Combines store-bought cake mix with fresh apples and caramel, creating a luxurious dessert with minimal effort and maximum flavor impact.

What’s Inside Caramel Apple Dump Cake

• Apples: Fresh, crisp fruit that provides the foundational layer and natural sweetness for the dessert.
• Yellow Cake Mix: Dry mix that creates a quick and easy cake topping with minimal preparation.
• Caramel Sauce: Sweet, rich sauce that adds depth and moisture to the apple layer.

• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that enhances the apple's natural flavor profile.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the overall taste of the dessert.

• Unsalted Butter, Brown Sugar: Create a rich, crumbly mixture that develops a golden, crispy surface.
• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic ingredient that adds complexity and depth to the topping's flavor.

Easy Steps To Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Heat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the Apples

Core and slice apples into thin, uniform wedges. Spread the apple slices evenly across the bottom of the baking dish, creating a single complete layer.

Step 3: Add Caramel and Spices

Drizzle caramel sauce generously over the apple slices, allowing it to flow between the fruit pieces. Sprinkle ground cinnamon and a pinch of salt across the caramel-coated apples to boost flavor.

Step 4: Create the Cake Layer

Evenly distribute the dry yellow cake mix over the apple and caramel layer, covering the entire surface like a soft blanket.

Step 5: Make the Butter Topping

• Melted unsalted butter
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract

Stir until the mixture becomes a smooth, crumbly consistency.

Step 6: Add the Butter Topping

Scatter the butter-sugar mixture across the top of the cake mix, ensuring as much coverage as possible.

Step 7: Bake the Dump Cake

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the top turns golden brown and edges become crispy.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Remove from the oven and let the dump cake rest for 10-15 minutes. This allows the caramel and cake to set. Serve warm, optionally topped with extra caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips For Sweet, Gooey Caramel Apple Dump Cake

• Slice Apples Uniformly: Use a sharp knife to create thin, consistent apple wedges for even baking and a professional look.
• Distribute Caramel Strategically: Pour caramel sauce slowly and evenly to ensure each apple slice gets maximum flavor coverage.
• Create Crumbly Topping Perfection: Mix melted butter and brown sugar thoroughly to develop a rich, textured layer that adds depth to the dessert.
• Avoid Overmixing Cake Layer: Sprinkle dry cake mix gently to maintain a light, airy texture without compressing the ingredients.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Watch for golden-brown edges and a slightly crisp top to ensure the dump cake is perfectly baked without burning.

Tasty Twists On Caramel Apple Dump Cake

• Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Dump Cake: Replace yellow cake mix with gluten-free cake mix or almond flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Apple Caramel Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use vegan caramel sauce, and select plant-based cake mix to create a dairy-free version.
• Spiced Autumn Apple Variation: Add nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom to enhance the seasonal flavor profile, creating a warm and rich dessert experience.
• Low-Sugar Apple Dump Cake: Use sugar-free caramel sauce, stevia-sweetened cake mix, and reduce brown sugar quantity for a diabetic-friendly alternative.

What To Serve With Caramel Apple Dump Cake

• Wine Wonderland: Select a late harvest Riesling or Moscato, whose sweet notes beautifully match the caramel and apple dessert, creating a harmonious flavor profile that enhances each delightful bite.
• Beverage Boost: Brew a warm chai tea or spiced apple cider, which echoes the cinnamon undertones and provides a cozy, comforting companion to the rich, gooey dessert.
• Ice Cream Dream: Top the warm dump cake with vanilla bean or cinnamon ice cream, allowing the cold, creamy scoop to melt slightly and create a luxurious contrast against the warm, crumbly cake texture.

How To Store Caramel Apple Dump Cake The Smart Way

• Store leftover dump cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire cake in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Keep at room temperature for 1-2 days maximum, covering with a clean kitchen towel to prevent dust and maintain moisture.
• Warm individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. For larger portions, reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through, which helps restore the crispy top and gooey caramel texture.

FAQs For Caramel Apple Dump Cake Made Easy

• What ingredients make this dump cake unique?

The combination of yellow cake mix, caramel sauce, and fresh apples creates a simple yet delicious dessert that blends store-bought and fresh ingredients for maximum flavor with minimal effort.

• Is this recipe difficult to make?

This dump cake is extremely easy to prepare, requiring no mixing bowls or complicated techniques. You simply layer ingredients directly in the baking dish, making it perfect for beginner bakers or anyone wanting a quick dessert.

• Can I use different types of apples?

Definitely! Granny Smith apples work great for a tart contrast, while Honeycrisp or Fuji provide natural sweetness. Choose firm apples that hold their shape during baking for the best texture.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Comfort meets simplicity in this effortless caramel apple dump cake, where sweet orchard fruits mingle with rich caramel in a rustic dessert. Warm spices and buttery crumbles invite you to savor each delightful, homemade bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 6 medium apples
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 cup caramel sauce

Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Wash, core, and slice apples into thin, uniform wedges, ensuring even distribution across the baking dish.
3. Arrange the apple slices in a single layer, creating a consistent base that covers the entire bottom of the dish.
4. Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over the apple layer, allowing it to seep between the fruit slices.
5. Sprinkle ground cinnamon and salt across the caramel-coated apples for enhanced flavor complexity.
6. Pour the dry yellow cake mix directly over the apple and caramel layer, creating an even, blanket-like coverage.
7. Melt unsalted butter and mix with brown sugar, creating a rich, crumbly topping mixture.
8. Stir vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring a smooth and fragrant blend.
9. Carefully distribute the butter-sugar mixture across the top of the dry cake mix, covering as much surface area as possible.
10. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the edges become crispy.
11. Remove from the oven and let the dump cake cool for 10-15 minutes to allow the caramel and cake to set.
12. Serve warm, optionally garnishing with additional caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

• Slice apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dump cake.
• Create a layer of caramel between apples and cake mix for extra moisture and rich flavor depth.
• Adjust baking time slightly for different oven types, watching for golden-brown top and crispy edges as the key doneness indicator.
• Experiment with alternative cake mixes like spice or vanilla to create unique flavor variations of this classic dessert.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 43g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg