This post may contain affiliate links.
Apple dump cake is the dessert I make when I want something warm, gooey, and completely hands off, just apple pie filling, caramel, and a box of cake mix layered right in the pan. I threw this together on a *chilly weeknight* when the girls wanted something cozy, and Maddie could not believe I did not even need a mixing bowl. It takes about 5 minutes to assemble. If you love easy dump desserts, our cherry dump cake is another must try.
This caramel apple dump cake tastes like warm apple pie topped with buttery cake and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Apple Dump Cake Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 50 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 12 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 390kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Warm cinnamon apples and caramel under a buttery cake topping
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, about as simple as our sticky toffee pudding
Quick Answer
Spread two cans of apple pie filling in the bottom of a greased 9×13 baking dish and drizzle caramel sauce over the top. Stir cinnamon into a box of dry yellow cake mix, then sprinkle it evenly over the apples. Pour melted butter over the cake mix, trying to moisten as much of it as possible. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is golden and the edges are bubbly. Let it cool for 15 minutes, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream and more caramel.
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- No mixing bowl needed. Everything gets layered right in the baking dish, so this apple dump cake is about as easy as dessert gets.
- Just five ingredients. Apple pie filling, caramel, cake mix, cinnamon, and butter are all you need for a cozy fall dessert.
- Warm and gooey. The apples bubble up under a buttery cake topping for that classic warm cobbler texture.
- Feeds a crowd. One 9×13 pan serves 12, perfect for potlucks, holidays, and Sunday dinners.
- Perfect with ice cream. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and extra caramel for the ultimate treat.
- Uses pantry shortcuts. Canned pie filling and a boxed cake mix mean you can make it any time with no planning.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It comes together in about 5 minutes with no mixing bowl and no mixer.
- It uses just five simple ingredients you can keep in the pantry.
- It tastes like warm apple pie with a buttery cake topping, even cozier than our old fashioned caramel cake.
- One 9×13 pan makes 12 servings, so it is perfect for feeding a crowd.
Key Ingredients
Here is everything you need to make this caramel apple dump cake.
- Apple pie filling: Two 21 ounce cans of apple pie filling are the soft, cinnamon spiced base. No peeling or chopping apples required.
- Caramel sauce: Drizzled over the apples for that rich caramel apple flavor, with more for serving on top.
- Yellow cake mix: A dry boxed yellow cake mix, sprinkled on straight from the bag, bakes into the buttery topping.
- Cinnamon: Stirred into the dry cake mix to add warm spice throughout the topping.
- Salted butter: Melted and poured over the cake mix so it bakes up golden and moist instead of powdery.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
This dump cake is easy to make your own. Here are a few ideas.
- Swap the apple pie filling for cherry, peach, or blueberry to make a different fruit dump cake like our cherry dump cake.
- Use spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix and skip the extra cinnamon.
- Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts over the cake mix for crunch.
- Sprinkle a little oatmeal and brown sugar on top for more of a crisp texture.
- Drizzle with extra caramel and a pinch of flaky salt for a salted caramel version.
How to Make Apple Dump Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Spread both cans of apple pie filling evenly into the bottom of the dish.
- Evenly drizzle the caramel sauce over the apple pie filling.
- Cut the top of the yellow cake mix bag open, add the cinnamon, and stir it around to combine.
- Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the apple and caramel layer.
- Pour the melted butter evenly over the cake mix, trying to moisten as much of the dry mix as possible.
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown on top. Let cool for 15 minutes, then serve with ice cream and more caramel.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Moisten as much cake mix as you can with the melted butter so you do not end up with dry, powdery spots on top.
- Do not stir the layers together, the magic of a dump cake is keeping the apples on the bottom and the cake on top.
- Use two full cans of pie filling so there is plenty of gooey apple in every serving.
- Let it rest 15 minutes after baking so it sets up enough to scoop.
- Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream and extra caramel for the best texture and flavor.
- Cover any bare cake mix with a little extra butter before baking if you see dry patches.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
Serve caramel apple dump cake warm, straight from the oven, scooped into bowls with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of caramel. It is the ultimate cozy fall dessert after a chili dinner or a holiday meal.
It fits right into a comfort food dessert table. Set it out next to our cream puff cake or a warm sticky toffee pudding for a spread everyone will love.
Because it bakes in one pan and serves warm, it is perfect for potlucks and gatherings. Pair it with our sweet potato cake for a cozy fall dessert lineup.
Apple Dump Cake FAQs
Store apple dump cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 30 seconds so the apples get warm and gooey again. It is best served warm with a fresh scoop of ice cream.
Dump cakes are best fresh and warm, but you can bake it a day ahead, cool it, and refrigerate. Reheat the whole pan, covered, in a 300 degree oven until warmed through, or microwave individual servings. Add the ice cream and caramel right before serving.
Yes, freeze the baked and cooled dump cake, well wrapped, for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven until warm and bubbly. The topping stays best when reheated in the oven rather than the microwave.
Powdery spots happen when the melted butter does not reach all of the dry cake mix. Pour the butter slowly and evenly, and drizzle a little extra over any dry patches before baking so the whole top bakes up golden.
Absolutely. This same method works with cherry, peach, blueberry, or pumpkin pie filling. Just swap in two cans of your favorite filling and keep the rest of the recipe the same.
The caramel adds that signature caramel apple flavor, but you can leave it out for a classic apple dump cake. You can also stir a little into the apples or save it all for drizzling on top when serving.
Love easy dump desserts? Make our cherry dump cake next.
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 2 21 ounce cans apple pie filling
- 3/4 cup caramel sauce plus more for serving
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup salted butter melted
- Ice cream for serving, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spread the apple pie filling into the bottom of the baking dish.2 21 ounce cans apple pie filling
- Evenly top with the caramel sauce.3/4 cup caramel sauce
- Cut the top of the yellow cake mix bag open and add the cinnamon. Stir it around.1 box yellow cake mix, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Evenly sprinkle the cake mix on top.
- Pour the butter on top and try to moisten as much of the cake mix as possible.3/4 cup salted butter
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on the top.
- Let cool for 15 minutes. Serve with ice cream and more caramel sauce.Ice cream
Notes
- Cover as Much Cake Mix as Possible: When pouring the melted butter over the dry cake mix, try to moisten as much as you can for the best results and to avoid dry spots.
- Let It Cool: Allow the cake to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving to avoid burns—the caramel and apples get very hot!
- Add Extra Caramel: Drizzle more caramel sauce over the top for a gooey caramel layer that’s irresistible.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps the cake bake evenly and ensures the caramel and butter spread nicely.
- Try Different Flavors: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different cake mixes or pie fillings for new flavors.
- Serve Warm: This cake is best enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
Follow @ThisSillyGirlsKitchen on Instagram and @danadevolk on Pinterest for more!
I made this recipe 2x and took it to 2 different gatherings. It is just amazing. I have had 5 people ask me for the recipe. I did add more caramel over the apples( I am a caramel addict), also comstock has caramel apple pie filling which I used 1 can of this and 1 regular pie filling. I also covered the whole 9×13 pan with butter. About 1 1/2 sticks. I did not scimp. It is sooooo good. I also love most dump cakes, so easy to make!!!
I love these recipes! Dump cakes are one of my favorites to make. You can also use a Gluten Free cake mix.