There is something mighty comforting about a dessert like this 4-ingredient caramel apple dump cake, especially when the weather turns crisp and the kitchen starts smelling like fall. It is the kind of simple, old-fashioned treat Midwestern home cooks have leaned on for years when company is coming and time is short. With just a handful of pantry staples, you get warm apples, buttery cake, and sweet caramel baked together into one bubbling dish that tastes like you fussed far more than you truly did.
This cake is especially nice served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of whipped cream melting right down into the caramel. If you are setting out a dessert table for a Halloween party or an autumn supper, it goes beautifully with hot coffee, apple cider, or even a mug of cinnamon tea. For a little extra crunch, a small handful of toasted pecans on top is always welcome.
4-Ingredient Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Servings: 8
Ingredients
2 cans apple pie filling, 21 ounces each
1 jar caramel sauce, 12 ounces
1 box yellow cake mix, 15.25 ounces
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass baking dish.
2. Spread the apple pie filling evenly into the prepared baking dish, then drizzle the caramel sauce all over the top.
3. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the apple and caramel layer, covering it from edge to edge.
4. Drizzle the melted butter as evenly as possible over the cake mix, trying to moisten most of the surface.
5. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
6. Let the cake rest for about 10 minutes before serving so the caramel thickens slightly and the filling settles.
Variations & Tips
Add nuts: Scatter 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts over the cake mix before adding the butter if you want a little extra crunch and a toasted flavor that goes wonderfully with the apples and caramel.
Use spice cake mix: For an even more autumn-like flavor, swap the yellow cake mix for spice cake mix. It gives the whole dessert a little cinnamon warmth without adding extra ingredients.
Serve it warm: This dessert is at its very best while still warm from the oven. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top turns it into a real company dessert, and the cold cream against the warm caramel is hard to beat.
Do not stir the layers: Dump cakes work because the layers stay separate as they bake. Resist the urge to mix everything together, or you will lose that lovely cobbler-like top.
Cover leftovers loosely: Any leftovers can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave so the apples soften again and the caramel loosens back up.