Apple Dump Cake with Caramel Sauce is a simple, crowd-pleasing apple dessert that tastes like a cozy apple cobbler. Made with pantry staples and finished with warm caramel and vanilla ice cream, it’s an easy treat the whole family will enjoy.
This recipe combines apple pie filling, boxed cake mix, and butter to create a tender, golden topping over bubbly, cinnamon-spiced apples. It’s quick to assemble, requires just one pan, and is perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or casual gatherings.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream so it melts into the apples and cake topping. A drizzle of caramel sauce makes each bite extra indulgent.
Some people call this an apple cobbler or an apple dump cake; either way, it’s foolproof and delicious.
With only six ingredients and minimal prep, you can have this dessert ready in about an hour. Most of the components are likely already in your pantry, so you can easily make it tonight.
What Is A Dump Cake?
A dump cake is a no-fuss dessert built from a few core ingredients: boxed cake mix, canned pie filling, and butter. You “dump” the components into a baking dish and the oven turns them into a fragrant, golden dessert. Its simplicity makes it great for busy days or for getting kids involved in the kitchen.
How To Make Apple Dump Cake
Below are the ingredients and steps that make this version special. For precise measurements and a printable recipe card, see the recipe section further down.
Ingredients
- Cake mix (white or yellow)
- 2 cans apple pie filling
- 1 stick butter, thinly sliced
- Cinnamon
- Caramel sauce
Can I Make The Apple Pie Filling From Scratch?
Yes. If you prefer homemade filling, make your own apple pie filling with fresh apples, sugar, a touch of lemon juice, and a thickener such as cornstarch. Cook until the apples are tender and the mixture has thickened, then use it in place of the canned filling.
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Pour the apple pie filling into a large bowl. Sprinkle with cinnamon and stir until the apples are evenly coated.
- Spread the cinnamon-spiced apple filling evenly in a baking dish so the thickness is uniform.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the apples, leveling it as much as possible.
- Dot the top with very thin slices of cold butter, covering the cake mix to avoid dry spots.
- Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Let the dessert rest for 5 minutes before serving to make spooning easier.
Toppings For Apple Dump Cake
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
How To Serve Apple Dump Cake
This dessert is best served warm. Spoon portions into bowls, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and drizzle with caramel sauce. The contrast between the hot apples and cold ice cream is irresistible.
More Dump Cake Ideas
Swap the apple pie filling for other fruit fillings to create different flavors: peach, blueberry, strawberry, or even cherry with pineapple. You can also try a pumpkin version for fall gatherings.
- Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
- Blueberry Dump Cake
- Strawberry Dump Cake
- Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
- Pumpkin Crunch Cake (Pumpkin Dump Cake)
Let kids help assemble this dessert — they’ll enjoy “dumping” the ingredients together, and it’s a fun way to get them involved in the kitchen.
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and share how it turned out.
Recipe
Apple Dump Cake Recipe
A quick, comforting apple dessert topped with a crisp, buttery cake mix layer and finished with caramel and ice cream.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Calories: 240
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25-ounce) package white or yellow cake mix
- 2 (20-ounce) cans apple pie filling
- 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons or 1 stick) butter, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 (12-ounce) jar caramel topping
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Pour the apple pie filling into a large bowl. Add the cinnamon and stir to combine so the apples are evenly coated.
- Spread the cinnamon-spiced apples in an even layer in a baking dish.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the apples, leveling as needed.
- Dot the cake mix with thin slices of very cold butter, making sure the top is well covered to prevent dry spots.
- Bake about 45 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling bubbles around the edges. Let cool 5 minutes.
- Spoon into bowls, top with vanilla ice cream, and drizzle with caramel topping.
Nutrition
Calories: 240 | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 188mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g