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This Caramel Apple Dump Cake combines sweet apples, gooey caramel, and buttery cake with simple pantry ingredients. A comfort food classic with all the cozy fall flavors of apple pie—minus the hassle. Quick to make and perfect for sharing, it’s a no-fuss dessert everyone will enjoy.
I’ve made this Caramel Apple Dump Cake countless times over the years, and it’s always a hit with my family. They love the warm, gooey layers of sweet apples, caramel, and buttery cake that make each bite taste like pure comfort. It’s become one of those recipes I can rely on, whether for a cozy night at home or a holiday gathering. There’s just something about the simplicity of it that keeps everyone coming back for seconds (and maybe thirds).
The best part? It’s so easy to throw together, even when life gets hectic. I always keep the ingredients on hand—apple pie filling, caramel sauce, a box of yellow cake mix, and butter (I have a whole refrigerator drawer full)—so I’m ready for an effortless dessert anytime. This is my go-to for unexpected guests or those moments when I need a dessert on the fly but don’t have the energy for anything complicated. Just dump, bake, and enjoy!
Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream, and you’ve got a crowd-pleaser every time.
Caramel Apple Dump Cake 4 Ingredients
- Yellow Cake Mix
- Apple Pie Filling
- Butter
- Caramel Topping
How to make Apple Caramel Dump Cake
- In a 9 x 13 Baking Dish or in oval slow cooker spray with cooking spray. Spoon cans of apple pie filling in bottom of dish.
- Pour caramel evenly on top of pie filling.
- Sprinkle cake mix on top.
- Place thin slices of butter on top of cake mix. You can also melt the butter and pour it on top.
- Bake in 350 degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes or cook in slow cooker on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
Can I make this Easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake in the slow cooker?
Yes you absolutely can! It is delicious made in a crock pot!
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- Spray Cooking spray in the bottom of an oval 6 quart slow cooker.
- Assemble as instructed above.
- Place lid on slow cooker. I like to place a paper towels or tea towel below the lid to catch extra moisture from dripping down onto cake.
- Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hour.
Variations to this Recipe for Caramel Apple Dump Cake
There are so many fun ways to make this Caramel Apple Dump Cake your own! Here are a few of my favorite variations:
- Pecan Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the cake mix before adding the butter for an extra layer of texture and flavor. You can also use a butter pecan cake mix instead of the yellow cake mix.
- Spiced Cake Mix: Swap the yellow cake mix for spice cake mix to enhance the warm fall flavors.
- Apple-Pear Blend: Use one can of apple pie filling and one can of pear filling for a unique twist.
- Salted Caramel: Drizzle salted caramel sauce instead of regular caramel for a sweet and salty contrast.
- Cinnamon Swirl: Sprinkle a little cinnamon or pumpkin spice over or into the cake mix for even more autumn spice.
- Caramel Bits: Mix in 1 cup of caramel bits in with the pie filling instead of using the caramel sauce.
Feel free to get creative with what you have on hand—this recipe is super forgiving, making it perfect for experimenting!
How to store Caramel Apple Dump Cake
To store any leftovers (if there are any!), let the cake cool completely before covering it tightly with plastic wrap or transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, warm individual portions in the microwave for about 30 seconds to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
Other Recipes that are made with Cake Mixes
- Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
- Butterfinger Cake Mix Cookies
- Easy Carrot Cake with Whipped Cream Topping
- Lemon Pudding Poke Cake
- Chocolate Oreo Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies
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Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 1 yellow cake mix
- 2 cans apple pie filling, (21 ounce cans)
- ½ cup caramel sauce or topping
- 2 sticks butter, melted or sliced
Instructions
Oven Baked Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a 9 x 13 Baking Dish.
- Spoon cans of apple pie filling in bottom of dish
- Pour caramel evenly on top of pie filling.
- Sprinkle cake mix on top.
- Place thinly sliced pats of butter evenly on top of cake mix. You can also melt the butter and drizzle it on top, if desired
- Bake in 350 degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla or your favorite ice cream!
Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Dump Cake Instructions
- Spray a 6 quart oval or oblong slow cooker crock.
- Layer as above instructions indicate.
- Place lid on slow cooker. If desired, place paper towels or a tea towel underneath the lid not touching the cake top to catch water droplets that may form on lid.
- Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
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Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
Delicious and easy to make
Thank you, Whitney!
This looks to die for, but as a diabetic, I am concerned about the serving size 1g? There are 28g in one ounce of potato chips-that would make this serving size like the weight of one potato chip. I really, really want to try this recipe, please tell me this serving size is incorrect, please!
It isn’t one gram, that was incorrect. Just one serving. When I converted to a new recipe card it changed that to read incorrectly. Sorry about that.
Have you ever cut the recipe in half? My husband doesn’t like dessert but I want to try this.
I have. Just use half of the cake mix and 1 can of apple pie filling and 1 stick of butter! Place in a 8 x 8 dish it will come out great! I have not tried halving in the crock pot, but you would just use a smaller one if you have it.
OMG! This is so yummy! Never made a dump cake & don’t remember if I ate one but look at what I’ve been missing…..I added the chopped pecans & cinnamon. After pouring the caramel over the apple filling, I sprinkled the cake mix, then the cinnamon and lastly the pecans. Then I poured the melted butter over all of it. Boy, it smelled so good in the house. Thank you for the recipe.
Thank you Sam! They are so scrumptious and really versatile too! Any fruit works and you can add mix ins to your liking! You are so welcome! I am glad you enjoyed it!
This is such a wonderful and easy cake to bring to any event . I’ve used apples , peaches, and cherry pie filling and they all work well . You really need to use the the 2 sticks of butter. Thanks for this go to recipe. It’s always a hit and theirs never any left in the pan? you have the best ideas and easy to make family and friends get togethers thanks Nikki
Thank you so much Donna! I love how versatile this one is! It works with any fruit! I agree on the butter it really makes it better with 2 sticks! Getting together with friends and family makes life such a joy! And you always need dessert right 😉
Can i use french vanilla cake mix instead of yellow?
Yes that will work too! I also like to use butter pecan.
Yes you can use a French vanilla cake mix or yellow came mix. I use which ever I have on hand, when I’m ready to make this Dump Cake. I also use on top of chopped pecans, or walnuts. Then I use small chocolate chips oe white chips ,or both. This makes the cake really delicious. Bake 45 minutes or till bubbly on sides. Use a small rectangle glass dish and half a pkg of cake mix on top for a small version. Enjoy
I made the caramel apple dump cake and the top didn’t come out crunchy. It was soft. I don’t know what l did wrong.
May have needed a little longer in the oven. Did you use both sticks of butter and distribute it evenly over the top? That is key to the crunch.
What about the pecans and cinnamon? I didn’t see it in the instructions.
They are not in the directions. I don’t add addition in the original recipe, but I do throw in some nuts 1/2 or and sprinkle in with the dry cake mix. If you want extra cinnamon, it could go in the apple mixture or mix with the cake mix and nuts. Yum!
Quick question: do you make the cake mix then spread over the pie filling? Or leave as a powder?
Leave it as a powder.
I just made this for a family dinner tomorrow. How would you suggest heating it? Could I pop the entire cake in a preheated oven for a bit? What do you think?
I would reheat it in the oven at 350 for about 20 minutes. Just keep an eye on it, if the top begins to brown too much for your liking cover it with foil. Enjoy!
Can this be prepared the night before?? Can’t wait to take to a party tomorrow night! Just wanting to prep tonight if possible?!?! We’ll be rushing from one thing to another tomorrow! Thanks!
I have not every made it ahead because it comes together so quickly, but I think it should work out just fine! Please let me know how it did for you.
Half a cup of caramel sauce doesn’t seem like very much. Could more be added without the caramel hardening?
I think a cup will work just fine for you! I like the way you think – more caramel yum!