Description
This easy caramel apple dump cake is a cozy fall dessert featuring gooey caramel, tender apples, and a buttery cake topping. Perfect for gatherings or lazy nights, it comes together quickly with pantry staples and minimal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups apples (about 3 medium), peeled, cored, and sliced (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp recommended)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (salted or unsalted)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (or spice cake mix)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (optional)
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Peel, core, and slice apples into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Toss with lemon juice, cinnamon, and granulated sugar in a large bowl.
- Spread apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over the apples.
- Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the apple and caramel layers. Do not stir.
- Pour melted butter slowly and evenly over the cake mix.
- Sprinkle chopped nuts and kosher salt (if using) over the top.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbling and apples are tender. Check at 45 minutes; bake longer if needed.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- Spoon warm cake into bowls and top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Drizzle with extra caramel if desired.
Notes
For gluten-free, use a gluten-free cake mix. For dairy-free, substitute vegan butter and check caramel sauce ingredients. You can use canned apple pie filling for convenience, or swap apples for pears. Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for extra warmth. If topping looks dry during baking, add extra melted butter. Serve warm for best texture; leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10th of the pan
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 3
Keywords: caramel apple dump cake, fall dessert, easy apple cake, dump cake recipe, autumn baking, caramel apple dessert