Moist, decadent, and perfectly spiced, this Caramel Apple Dump Cake is the perfect dessert whether the leaves are green or red and yellow.
Long before pumpkin spice became the season's signature flavor, caramel apple was the taste of fall.
Moist cake and tender apples combined make delicious desserts all year long, but are particular autumnal favorites. A touch of caramel takes them over the top. We've also made a hearty Dutch Oven Apple Cake and a rich Apple Skillet Cake to satisfy any carvings you may have.
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Is it hard to make a dump cake?
There probably isn't any easier cake to make than a dump cake. A novice or non-baker cake execute baking this cake flawlessly. The only care needed is making sure each layer is even before the next is laid. There's no mixing, measuring, or stirring needed. Slicing the butter is the only true task of
Recipe ingredients
- Apple pie filling — You’ll need two cans.
- Spiced cake mix — any box brand will work, we used Duncan Hines.
- Caramel sauce —just the delicious stuff you drizzle over your favorite ice cream.
- Butter — we used SALTED butter to help (although only minimally) the sweetness of the cake.
- Cream soda — if you can't find it, ginger ale is great too.
Step by step directions
Step 1 — Preheat the oven to 350°F. Pour the cans of apple pie filling into the bottom of your pan, smoothing and evening it out. We used the cooker (chicken fryer) but you can use metal or enameled Dutch Oven. For camping, use your camp oven/bare Dutch oven.
Step 2 — Sprinkle the cake mix over the pie filling as evenly as possible. Break up any large clumps, but small ones are fine.
Step 3 — Drizzle the caramel sauce over the dry cake mix. Don’t worry if it starts to run together.
Step 4 — Slice the butter into thin pats and lay over the top of the cake. Slice some in half or on the diagonal to fill in any gaps.
Step 5 — SLOWLY pour the cream soda over the surface of the cake. If you pour it to fast, it will pool and dislodge the butter. Cover with the lid or tightly with foil, toss it in the oven and bake for 45 minutes.
Step 6 — Once done, remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzles of caramel syrup.
See recipe card for camp oven and slow cooker directions.
Adaptations and variations for Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- Caramel — Use half a back or about 6 oz of caramel candies cut in half. Homemade caramel sauce would also be wonderful.
- Cake mix flavor — can’t find spiced cake mix, use regular a yellow or white.
- Soda — cream soda is our favorite, but ginger ale, or lemon-lime will do the job as well.
- Nuts — sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over the top of the butter.
Recipe FAQs
The apple pie filling will prevent the cake from being bland but if there's any doubt, add a teaspoon of apple pie spice on top of the cake mix and gently mix it in.
After it's been baked and served, store any leftover in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
No, this cake will still be delicious even if you don't use caramel. Butterscotch sauce is a great substitute as well.
Absolutely, you can bake this in a Dutch oven, skillet, or a 13x9 pan.
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Get the Recipe
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Equipment
- 3.2 quart Cooker (Chicken fryer)
Ingredients
- 2-21 oz apple pie filling
- 1 box Spiced cake mix
- ¼ lb salted butter 1 stick; thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon caramel sauce
- 12 oz cream soda
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Pour the apple pie filling into the bottom of the pan, spread out to smooth.
- Sprinkle the cake mix over the pie filling as evenly as possible, breaking up any large clumps.
- Drizzle the caramel sauce over the dry cake mix.
- Place the sliced butter over the top of the cake. Slice some in half or on the diagonal to fill in any gaps.
- SLOWLY pour the cream soda over the surface of the cake.
- Cover with the lid or tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Once done, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Camp Oven
- Heat coals in a charcoal chimney.
- Once hot, place 12 coals on bottom (camp table, fire pit, etc).
- Construct the cake via directions above.
- Cover with the camp oven lid.
- Place heated coals over the entire lid.
- Allow to cook for 45 minutes.
- Check for doneness by using a lid lifter, if not done, cook up to an additional 15 minutes.
- When done, remove from coals, allow to rest then and serve.
Slow Cooker
- Spray a 6 quart crock with cooking spray.
- Layer the cake per the directions above.
- Place paper towels over the top (to absorb the condensation from the lid) and cover.
- Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Tara
Such a fun use for apples! They look so good paired with the caramel sauce. Such an incredible combination of flavors all in one easy cake.
Anjali
Omg this apple dump cake is to die for!! It was super easy to make, turned out perfectly, and literally was devoured in minutes. Yum!
Andrea
I am a huge fan of anything caramel apple but I have never had anything like this amazing dump cake. This will be made often during apple season.
Carrie Robinson
I just love how easy it is to make this! Cast iron desserts are the best. 🙂
sarah
Such a great one for the kids to kinda help me make too, a real hit.
Shelby
I love a good skillet dessert and this one is so quick, easy, and delicious! Never thought to add cream soda, but it works!
Holley
This caramel apple dump cake recipe is to die for! I love this dessert!!
Lily
I am a HUGE fan of dump cakes, and a caramel apple dump cake sounds divine. I really like the option for a camp oven. Nothing like a warm bowl of gooey caramel apple dump cake around a camp fire!
Julia
Tasted incredible and was so easy to make!
Lima Ekram
Just made it - the whole family loved it!
Liza
Cream soda is a brilliant addition to this tasty recipe. Love the combination of flavors!
Biana
This caramel apple cake looks delicious! I like that you are using a cake mix here to save time.
Nancy
Looks delicious
Nancy Stiehl
This looks great. I will have to try this.
Julie
We made this for my fall birthday at our campsite in the Great Smokey Mt.s
It was amazing and smelled so good as it was cooking over the coals as we ate our dinner.
Then we had it warm with ice cream and carmel drizzled on top.
AMAZING
Ned Adams
I’m so glad you enjoyed! I’m glad it was a hit at camp! Thank you for sharing your success.