Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe
This Caramel Apple Dump Cake is an effortless dessert that combines the sweet flavors of caramel and apple with a buttery, cake-like topping. You only need a few ingredients, and it’s baked to golden perfection for a warm, cozy treat!
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (21 oz each) apple pie filling (or homemade apple filling)
- 1 packet (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (or spice cake mix for extra flavor)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for extra spice)
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the Apple Filling:
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread the apple pie filling evenly. If you’re using canned filling, you can also sprinkle a little cinnamon over the apples for added flavor.
3. Add Caramel Sauce:
- Drizzle about 1/4 cup of caramel sauce over the apple filling. This will add extra richness and flavor.
4. Add Cake Mix:
- Evenly spread the yellow cake mix over the apple filling. Do not mix. The dry cake mix should cover the apples completely.
5. Add Butter:
- Place the butter cubes evenly over the cake mix. This will melt as the cake bakes and create a golden, crisp topping. Amish Peanut Butter Cream Pie
6. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly around the edges. The cake mix should cook through and form a crispy topping.
7. Drizzle with Caramel:
- After baking, drizzle the remaining 1/4 cup of caramel sauce over the top for an extra caramel touch.
8. Serve:
- Let the cake cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a delicious finishing touch.
Why You’ll Love This Caramel Apple Dump Cake:
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Easy to Make: This dessert is called a “dump cake” for a reason—just dump the ingredients in the pan, and let the oven do the work! No need for mixing or special techniques.
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Deliciously Comforting: The combination of warm apples, caramel, and a golden, buttery topping makes it a perfect comfort food dessert.
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Perfect for Fall: This cake has all the flavors of a classic apple dessert with the added sweetness of caramel, making it ideal for cozy fall nights or holiday gatherings.
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Crowd-Pleaser: With its rich flavor and warm, gooey texture, this cake is a hit at parties, potlucks, and family dinners.
Tips for the Best Caramel Apple Dump Cake:
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Cake Mix Variations: You can use spice cake mix or cinnamon swirl cake mix for a bit more flavor depth if you want something extra special.
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Homemade Apple Filling: For a more homemade touch, you can make your own apple pie filling by sautéing sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and a bit of cornstarch to thicken.
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Use Real Caramel Sauce: While store-bought caramel sauce works fine, using real caramel sauce (or homemade caramel) will take this dump cake to the next level.
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Don’t Stir: Don’t mix the cake mix into the apple filling. The topping should stay separate and form a crispy, crumbly layer.
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Make Ahead: You can prepare this dump cake in advance and store it in the fridge, then bake it when you’re ready.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use fresh apples instead of pie filling?
- Yes! You can slice fresh apples and cook them with a bit of sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch to make your own apple filling. You’ll need about 6 cups of apples for this.
Q: Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
- Absolutely! Spice cake mix, vanilla cake mix, or even carrot cake mix would work wonderfully with the apples and caramel.
Q: Can I freeze Caramel Apple Dump Cake?
- Yes! You can freeze the assembled cake (before baking) for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, just thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.