This easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake is Apple pie’s laid-back cousin who shows up late and still steals the show! Zero peeling, zero rolling, and zero effort. You literally dump it in a pan. That’s it! Just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes prep, and you’ve got gooey caramel drenched apples wrapped up in a rich, buttery cake crumble!
Without a doubt, this caramel apple dump cake is a totally dump-tastic temptation.
Especially considering just how crazy easy it is to prepare!
Kylie writes: “Made this for my husband's birthday. Was a huge hit! Delicious!”
By easy, I am referring to making a dessert using canned apple pie filling and a box of cake mix. Trust me, this is the brilliant baking shortcut you’ve been looking for!
So go ahead and leave your sleeves rolled down, because this dump cake takes so little effort, your prep will be done almost before you begin!
Bite after irresistible bite, it’s so hard to stop eating.
So rich, so sweet, and so outrageously tempting!
And with so many swell ribbons of gooey caramel to tease and please every last taste bud, this dump cake is just daring you to take another bite!
I know, I know.
It feels kind of weird being so blatantly tempted by a dump cake, but here we are. 🙂 Dump cakes just blatantly tempt, it’s what they do! My cozy Apple Spice Dump Cake, pecan-packed Apple Cobbler With Cake Mix and festive Cranberry Apple Dump Cake all prove that point decidedly.
So go grab your 9×13 casserole dish and get ready to indulge, because this apple caramel dump cake is about to dazzle you with its wildly delicious autumnal flavors!
Here’s what you’ll need to get started…
Ingredients
It takes just 4 simple ingredients to make this whole family pleasing apple caramel crumble, and you can get baking in minutes when you have everything on hand…
- Butter Recipe Yellow Cake Mix – I used a 13.25 oz. of Betty Crocker cake mix for this recipe.
- Apple Pie Filling – my Homemade Apple Pie Filling can be substituted.
- Butter – I used salted butter in this recipe, but unsalted will work just fine, too.
- Caramel Syrup – Homemade Caramel Sauce can be substituted.
Like with all of my easy baked Dump Cake Recipes, you’ll also need a 9×13 baking dish to prepare this caramel apple dump cake recipe.
How To Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake
This delicious caramel apple crumble is one of the EASIEST Fall Baking Recipes and Easy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes you can make!
Here’s what you’ll do…
1. Spray the inside of your 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Evenly spread out the apple pie filling in the bottom of your baking dish.
3. Drizzle the caramel over the apple pie filling.
4. Combine the cake mix with butter to make a buttery crumble topping, and sprinkle it over the apple pie filling and caramel drizzle.
5. Finally, bake as directed… then sit back, relax, and enjoy the compliments. Easy Peasy!
Scroll down for the printable apple caramel dump cake recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
Why Do They Call It A Dump Cake?
The reason why this caramel apple cake mix dessert is referred to as a dump cake, is because the different ingredients are dumped into a baking dish, in different layers.
First, you’ll dump in the apple pie filling, then the caramel, and finally a crumbly mixture of cake mix and butter for your topping. YUM!
How Do You Keep Crumble Topping From Getting Soggy?
The secret is the butter. The butter will help your cake mix become crisp and to also brown in color. We already knew that butter was magical, but butter is also the secret to making your caramel apple crumble absolutely heavenly!
How Do You Know When Crumble Is Ready?
So how do you know if your caramel apple dump cake is done? Once your dump cake is done baking, the buttery crumble topping will appear browned.
Also, the lower layer of apple and caramel should be starting to bubble up through the sides of your crumble cake mix and butter topping.
How to Serve
This indulgent apple caramel dump cake is best when served hot straight from your 9×13 baking dish. Simply spoon out portions into small bowls, and top with whip cream or a side of vanilla ice cream. YUM!
How To Store
Although this caramel apple crumble is best enjoyed the same day you make it, if you need too, leftovers can be saved in your fridge for up to 3 days.
Reviews
Here’s what your frugal friends are saying about making this easy caramel apple dump cake recipe with 4 ingredients…
Heather writes: “This was absolutely delicious! Definitely will make this again.”
Linda writes: “This dump cake was the best! My husband loved it!”
Joyce writes: “Loved the cake! Very easy to make and taste good. Everyone loved it and no leftovers!”
Cathy writes: “We make this all the time! Quick, easy, and a crowd favorite.”
Robin writes: “Made it for work and everyone loved it”
Kylie writes: “Made this for my husband’s birthday. Was a huge hit! Delicious!”
Kim writes: “This was yummy!!!! Very easy to make.”
Andrea writes: “I did make this but the dessert was gone so fast I didn’t get a picture!! Definitely making this again!!!”
Rae writes: “One of my favorite dessert recipes!! So easy to make”
Sandy writes: “I made the Apple Caramel dump cake for the first time for the Fourth of July and everyone loved it. With just four ingredients it’s easy to make. Delicious!”
Tonia writes: “I add cinnamon and sugar all over the top of mine. It’s so delicious”
Shirley writes: “I made this and added crushed pecans with dried cranberries. Also sprinkled a little cinnamon sugar and crushed pecans on top of the crumble. It was delicious!”
Kelly writes: “I have celiac disease and have made with yellow and white Gluten-Free cake mix.”
Troye writes: “I used a gluten free cake mix and did make it in my Pampered Chef Rockcrok and kept it warm in my PC Rockcrok Slow Cooker Stand. It was a complete hit! No one would have guessed it was gluten free and my friend with celiac was able to enjoy a nice dessert!”
Ashley writes: “It turned out so good. The ice cream and whip cream definitely made it pop together!”
Easy Dump Cakes
Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Doubling Recipe Tip
If doubling or tripling recipe with buttons below, ingredient notes found after comma will not adjust. Increase ingredients as needed.
Ingredients
- 13.25 oz. Betty Crocker Butter Recipe Yellow Cake Mix, 1 box
- 42 oz. Apple Pie Filling , (use 2 cans 21 oz. each, OR use my Homemade Apple Pie Filling)
- 1/2 cup Butter, melted (1 stick or 8 tbsp.)
- 1/2 cup Smucker’s Caramel Sundae Syrup
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray inside of glass or ceramic 9×13 Casserole Dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Empty cans of Apple Pie Filling into bottom of baking dish, and spread out evenly.
- Drizzle Caramel over the top of the Apples.
- In medium mixing bowl, combine dry Cake Mix and melted Butter, and stir until crumbly. (Break up any large chunks into small crumbles with spoon.)
- Pour cake/butter crumble mixture over Caramel/Apple mixture, and spread out evenly.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until sides are hot and bubbly, and the crumble topping appears brown.
- Serve with Caramel drizzled on whip cream on top, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. ENJOY!!
Notes
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
I love the combination of sweet apples, gooey caramel, and that golden buttery crumble topping. What a delicious contrast of textures! I can just imagine serving this warm from the oven with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top. Such a cozy, comforting treat for a chilly fall evening!
I know you’ll love it Silvia. This simple caramel and apple dump cake really does check all the right boxes when you want an easy dessert that serves up massively indulgent flavors!!
I just love how simple and easy this cake recipe is! I am not the best baker and this came out perfect… thanks so much for such a fantastic dessert recipe!
I am so glad you liked it Cheri. It really is the perfect easy way to bake!!
could I make half a cake? would i use half ingredients?
I think that should work just fine! I would just cut the ingredients in half, and bake in an 8×8 baking dish. If you give it a try, let us know how it turns out!
Dianne
I want you to know that I have made this this is a delicious recipe and this is the second time I have made it and I’m making it for our Thanksgiving dinner and I’m very thankful.
That’s so wonderful to hear, Dianne! Happy Thanksgiving!
Super easy! I used a different caramel and
sprinkled on a cinnamon roll spice mix on top
of the butter prior to baking… Dey!
That sounds like a delicious idea… thanks for sharing! 🙂
Can we use a angel cake mix
Hi Catherine ~ for an easy Apple Spice Angel Food Cake, try this recipe:
https://thefrugalgirls.com/2020/08/apple-angel-food-dump-cake-recipe.html
Can you use Smucker’s microwaveable hot caramel flavored topping instead of Smucker’s Caramel Sundae Syrup?
Hi Ashley ~ I honestly haven’t tried it, but I think that should work just fine. If you give it a try, let me know how it turns out!
Quick question… How do you need to store leftovers? Refrigerate or not! I’ve made it today and it’s delicious but I can’t eat it all in one day!!! ( Well, I can, but shouldn’t!)
Thanks!
Hi Jessie ~ I store the leftovers in the refrigerator, and then just heat up individual servings later. 🙂
I love that it’s apple flavoured and only made with four ingredients. Such a delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Christie… it really is such a scrumptious flavor combination! 🙂