I’ve never been the type to resist a dessert with caramel and apples. Can you blame me? This caramel apple dump cake takes that cozy fall craving and flips it into the easiest, gooey-good dessert you can toss together in under ten minutes. You just layer a few things, dump and bake. Boom—instant cozy. No peeling apples, no mixers whirring, no fuss. Think buttery golden cake with soft spiced apples underneath, and little rivers of warm caramel running through every bite. The kind of dessert you don’t serve—no, you scoop it. Sloppy, rich, and glorious. This is my go-to whenever I need a sweet fix fast but still want that homemade feel. So if you’re craving something indulgent yet ridiculously simple, you’re in the right spot. With just a box of cake mix, apple pie filling, and a touch of magic (okay, butter and caramel), this dump cake checks all the boxes. It’s beginner-friendly, smells like a fall candle exploded, and yes—it tastes like a warm hug. Let’s bake it, shall we?

Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- 4) How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- 5) Tips for Making Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- 6) Making Caramel Apple Dump Cake Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- 8) Try these Desserts next!
- 9) Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
Caramel Apple Dump Cake is the ultimate fix for anyone with a sweet tooth and no time for complicated baking. It blends the warm comfort of apple pie with the lazy ease of a dump cake. Perfect for new bakers, busy parents, or anyone who wants dessert without the fuss.
Made with only five ingredients, it’s a shortcut dessert that doesn’t skimp on flavor. You don’t have to peel a single apple or mix anything with a whisk. Just layer, bake, and enjoy the golden, buttery goodness.
It’s also one of the most reliable quick and easy dessert recipes you’ll ever make. Whether you’re hosting a party or just need a weeknight treat, this is a go-to you’ll want to keep in your back pocket.

2) Easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe
I’ve made this dump cake more times than I can count. It’s the kind of thing you bake when company shows up unannounced or your sweet craving refuses to wait. With buttery topping, bubbling fruit, and that gooey caramel swirl, this is comfort food dressed as dessert.
This recipe is so flexible, it’s almost impossible to mess up. You don’t even need to mix anything. Just open, pour, layer, and slide it into the oven. It does all the hard work for you while your house starts to smell like a fall candle.
Quick and easy dessert recipes don’t get more effortless than this. And if you’re someone who panics at the idea of scratch baking, this dessert has your back.

3) Ingredients for Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Apple Pie Filling: Use two cans. It’s sweet, soft, and already perfectly spiced. No chopping, peeling, or cooking apples required. Just dump and spread.
Caramel Sauce: Half a cup goes into the cake. Drizzle a little extra on top for a sticky-sweet finish that looks like you tried harder than you did.
Yellow Cake Mix: This is your lazy baker’s best friend. Just sprinkle it straight from the box. Don’t mix it. It forms the crispy, golden topping as it bakes.
Butter: Melt a full cup (two sticks). Pour it all over the top to help crisp that cake mix into something buttery and crave-worthy.
Cinnamon (Optional): A little sprinkle over the apples gives it extra warmth. Totally optional but it adds a cozy flavor that feels right, especially on chilly days.

4) How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish so nothing sticks to the corners.
Step 2. Dump both cans of apple pie filling into the dish. Spread them out evenly using a spoon or spatula.
Step 3. Drizzle caramel sauce all over the apples. This will melt into the fruit while baking and turn into little pockets of sticky gold.
Step 4. Optional, but if you’re feeling cozy, sprinkle on some cinnamon. Just enough to make things interesting.
Step 5. Now pour the dry cake mix evenly over everything. Don’t stir it. Resist the urge. You want that layer to stay on top.
Step 6. Melt your butter and drizzle it across the cake mix. Get it as even as you can so the topping bakes up golden.
Step 7. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is crisp and golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Cool slightly before serving.
5) Tips for Making Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Don’t overthink it. This recipe is called dump cake for a reason. The less you fuss, the better it turns out. Just layer and bake.
If your butter doesn’t fully cover the cake mix, it’s okay. You’ll get some crumbly bits on top, which add great texture. It’s part of the charm.
This is one of those easy homemade recipes that really impresses. You can even serve it with ice cream or whipped cream to make it look fancy. No one needs to know how easy it was.
6) Making Caramel Apple Dump Cake Ahead of Time
This is a great make-ahead dessert. You can bake it earlier in the day and warm it back up when you’re ready to serve. The flavors only get better as it sits.
If you’re planning a party or dinner, you can assemble it in the dish and pop it in the oven just before dessert time. No cleanup needed during the event.
Quick & easy sweet recipes don’t always hold well overnight, but this one does. The caramel and apples help it stay moist and flavorful for hours.
7) Storing Leftover Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Cover your leftover cake with foil or scoop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat individual servings in the microwave. Thirty seconds usually does the trick. Top it with more caramel or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Simple desserts with few ingredients are often the ones we keep coming back to, and this one is no different. It’s just as good on day two.
8) Try these Desserts next!
9) Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Caramel Apple Dump Cake – Quick and Easy Dessert Recipes You’ll Crave Again
Ingredients
- 2 (21 oz) cans apple pie filling
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling
- 1 (15.25 oz) box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and lightly grease it.
- Spread both cans of apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Drizzle the caramel sauce over the apples. Sprinkle on the cinnamon if you’re using it.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top—don’t stir it!
- Pour the melted butter over the entire surface, trying to cover as much cake mix as you can.
- Pop it in the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly around the edges.
- Let it cool just enough to not scorch your tongue. Scoop into bowls and drizzle more caramel on top if you’re feeling fancy.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: 1/12 | Calories: 410 | Sugar: 35 g | Sodium: 350 mg | Fat: 18 g | Saturated Fat: 11 g | Carbohydrates: 58 g | Fiber: 1 g | Protein: 2 g | Cholesterol: 45 mg

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