Caramel Apple Dump Cake (Print View)

Buttery caramel apples layered with cake and baked until golden. Warm, comforting treat with minimal effort.

# Components:

→ Fruit and Caramel Base

01 - 2 cans (20 oz each) apple pie filling
02 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling

→ Cake Topping

03 - 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
04 - 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional

→ Garnish

06 - Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, optional

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Spread the apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the apple layer.
03 - Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the apple and caramel mixture. Do not stir.
04 - Pour the melted butter evenly over the cake mix. If using, sprinkle with ground cinnamon.
05 - Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
06 - Allow the dessert to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour from start to finish
  • Requires just 5 basic ingredients
  • Perfect for last minute entertaining
  • No mixing bowls needed for the main recipe
02 -
  • Can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated
  • Perfect for potlucks since it transports well
  • Serves beautifully warm or at room temperature
  • Transforms basic ingredients into something special
03 -
  • After years of making this family favorite, I've learned a few secrets to dump cake success. First, never stir the layers together. The magic happens when they remain separate during baking but meld together in your mouth when eating. Second, check the cake about 30 minutes into baking and cover loosely with foil if the top is browning too quickly.
  • For the most impressive presentation, reserve 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce and warm it slightly before drizzling over individual servings. This simple step elevates the humble dump cake to dessert worthy of company. Finally, don't rush the cooling time. Those 10 minutes allow the dessert to set up properly and prevent burnt tongues from impatient family members!
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