Cozy Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe – Fall’s Sweetest Treat

Sweet autumn memories flood back whenever I whip up this delightful caramel apple dump cake that promises pure comfort.

Crisp orchard apples nestle beneath a golden crumbly topping, creating magic in just minutes.

Minimal effort yields maximum flavor with this straightforward dessert.

Pantry staples become your secret weapon for an irresistible treat.

Warm spices mingle with buttery caramel, promising a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Each bite delivers nostalgic goodness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ready to transform simple ingredients into something spectacular?

Caramel Apple Dump Cake Is Calling Your Name

• Simplify Baking: Requires minimal kitchen skills with no complex techniques, perfect for beginners or those wanting a stress-free dessert experience.
• Versatile Dessert Delight: Transitions seamlessly from casual family dinners to potluck gatherings, making it a crowd-pleasing treat for various occasions.
• Quick Comfort Creation: Combines classic apple and caramel flavors with minimal prep time, delivering maximum satisfaction without extensive cooking skills.
• Customizable Texture: Offers flexibility with optional pecans and vanilla ice cream, allowing personal touches to elevate the basic recipe's deliciousness.

The Gooey Goods In Caramel Apple Dump Cake

• Apples: Fresh, crisp fruits that provide a sweet and tangy foundation for the dessert.

• Yellow Cake Mix: Dry mix that creates a golden, tender topping for the dessert.

• Caramel Sauce: Rich, sweet sauce that adds moisture and deep caramel flavor to the dish.
• Butter: Melted fat that helps create a rich, crumbly texture and adds depth to the dessert.
• Brown Sugar: Sweet ingredient that provides a warm, molasses-like sweetness and helps form a crispy topping.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds a cozy, aromatic flavor to the dessert.

• Pecans: Crunchy nuts that provide a nutty texture and additional flavor complexity.

• Vanilla Ice Cream: Creamy, cold accompaniment that complements the warm dessert.

How To Make This Dessert With Zero Fuss

Step 1: Create Apple Base

Spread freshly chopped apples evenly across the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Make sure the apples create a complete layer that covers the entire surface of the pan.

Step 2: Add Caramel Goodness

Generously drizzle caramel sauce over the apple layer. Ensure every apple piece gets a delicious coating of sweet, sticky caramel.

Step 3: Sprinkle Cake Mix

Evenly distribute dry yellow cake mix over the caramel-coated apples. Cover the entire surface with a light, powdery layer of cake mix.

Step 4: Craft Butter Mixture

• Melted butter
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and well-combined.

Step 5: Pour Butter Blend

Carefully pour the butter mixture over the cake mix. Allow it to seep into the dry ingredients, creating a delightful crumbly texture.

Step 6: Add Optional Crunch

Scatter chopped pecans across the top of the cake for extra texture and nutty flavor if desired.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges become wonderfully crispy.

Step 8: Cool and Set

Remove from the oven and let the cake rest for 10-15 minutes. This allows the caramel to set and the flavors to mingle beautifully.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the cake warm. For an extra indulgent treat, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts into the warm, gooey cake.

Tips For That Golden, Crunchy Topping

• Prevent Apple Sticking: Thoroughly grease the baking dish with butter or cooking spray to ensure easy cake removal and no fruit clinging to the bottom.
• Distribute Apples Evenly: Spread chopped apples in a uniform layer to guarantee consistent flavor and texture throughout the dessert.
• Control Caramel Coverage: Drizzle caramel sauce carefully to create a balanced sweetness that complements the apples without overwhelming them.
• Enhance Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans on top for added texture and depth of flavor, transforming the simple cake into a more complex dessert.
• Serve with Creamy Complement: Top with vanilla ice cream while the cake is still warm to create a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.

Yummy Ways To Remix Dump Cake Night

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace yellow cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and use certified gluten-free caramel sauce for celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Apple Treat: Swap butter with coconut oil, use vegan caramel sauce, and substitute cake mix with plant-based alternative for dairy-free option.
• Seasonal Berry Remix: Replace apples with mixed berries like raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries for a vibrant fruity variation.
• Tropical Coconut Crunch: Add shredded coconut to the topping and use pineapple chunks instead of apples for a tropical-inspired dessert experience.

What Tastes Best With This Apple Treat

• Warm Beverage Boost: Brew a hot chai latte or spiced apple cider to complement the cake's rich caramel and apple notes, enhancing the dessert's warmth and sweetness.
• Creamy Contrast Companion: Serve a scoop of classic vanilla bean ice cream alongside the cake, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast that melts beautifully into the warm dessert.
• Nutty Sidekick Suggestion: Pair with a small glass of sweet bourbon or amaretto liqueur, which will highlight the cake's pecan undertones and provide a sophisticated adult twist.
• Refreshing Palate Cleanser: Add a light, crisp green apple slice or a small wedge of sharp cheddar cheese to cut through the dessert's richness and provide a fresh counterpoint.

Store Your Caramel Apple Dump Cake Like A Pro

• Store covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap tightly in aluminum foil or freezer-safe container. Properly sealed dessert can last up to 3 months. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove from refrigerator, let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Warm uncovered for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Cover with foil if edges brown too quickly.
• Place individual portion on microwave-safe plate. Heat in 20-second intervals, checking between each burst.

Dump Cake Dilemmas? Solved Right Here

• What ingredients make this apple dessert unique?

The combination of caramel sauce, yellow cake mix, and brown sugar creates a rich, gooey texture that transforms simple apples into an indulgent dessert.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have everything on hand?

You can replace pecans with walnuts, use different apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, and swap yellow cake mix with white cake mix for similar results.

• Is this dessert considered easy to make?

Absolutely! With just a few simple steps and minimal prep time, this recipe is perfect for bakers of all skill levels, requiring no complex techniques or special equipment.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5-10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Caramel apple dump cake delivers pure autumn comfort with minimal effort. Sweet apples and rich caramel meld perfectly, creating a rustic dessert you’ll crave long after the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups apples, peeled and chopped
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 cup caramel sauce

Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Optional Garnish:

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup vanilla ice cream

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Layer the freshly chopped apples evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform fruit foundation.
3. Drizzle the caramel sauce generously over the apple layer, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
4. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix directly over the caramel-coated apples, creating an even, powdery blanket.
5. Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl, whisking until smooth and well-integrated.
6. Pour the butter mixture methodically over the cake mix, allowing it to seep into the dry ingredients and create a crumbly texture.
7. If desired, scatter chopped pecans across the top for added crunch and nutty flavor.
8. 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.
9. Remove from the oven and let the cake cool for 10-15 minutes to allow the caramel to set and flavors to meld.
10. Serve warm, optionally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent finishing touch.

Notes

• Prevent cake mix clumping by evenly sprinkling the dry ingredients, ensuring a smooth, consistent layer across the apples.
• Enhance moisture by using ripe, slightly soft apples that will release natural juices during baking, creating a rich, gooey texture.
• Adjust sweetness levels by selecting tart apple varieties like Granny Smith if you prefer less sugar, or sweeter Honeycrisp for more caramel-like intensity.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting regular yellow cake mix with a gluten-free alternative and checking that caramel sauce contains no wheat-based additives.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg