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Caramel Apple Dump Cake (with Fresh or Canned Apples) Recipe

Caramel Apple Dump Cake (with Fresh or Canned Apples) Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 27 reviews

This Caramel Apple Dump Cake is an easy and delicious dessert perfect for fall or any time you crave a warm, comforting treat. Made with fresh or canned apples, a drizzle of rich caramel sauce, and a simple yellow cake mix topping, it’s a wonderfully quick dessert that bakes to golden perfection with a crunchy, buttery crust and a soft, fruity base. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an irresistible finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit Base

  • 5–6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 (20 oz) can apple pie filling (optional, if not using fresh apples)

Caramel Layer

  • 1 (11 oz) jar caramel sauce or homemade caramel

Cake Topping

  • 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (or cold butter slices)

Optional Toppings

  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for the dessert assembly.
  2. Prepare the apple filling: For fresh apples, toss the peeled and sliced apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice in a large bowl until evenly coated. Spread this mixture evenly in the baking dish. If using canned apple pie filling, skip the sugar and lemon, and simply spread the pie filling evenly in the dish.
  3. Add the caramel layer: Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the apple layer. For an extra touch of spice, you can sprinkle additional cinnamon on top of the caramel if desired.
  4. Top with cake mix: Option 1: Sprinkle the entire box of dry yellow cake mix evenly over the caramel and apples. Option 2: For a layered effect, sprinkle half the cake mix over the apples, then add the caramel, and finish with the remaining cake mix.
  5. Add the butter: Drizzle the melted unsalted butter evenly over the cake mix layer. Alternatively, for a more even distribution, slice cold butter and scatter the pieces on top.
  6. Add nuts (optional): Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the top for added crunch and flavor.
  7. Bake: Place the assembled dish in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy, and the apple filling underneath is bubbly and hot.
  8. Cool and serve: Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance the decadence.

Notes

  • You can use either fresh or canned apple pie filling based on availability and preference.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the cake mix with a gluten-free yellow cake mix.
  • Adjust the cinnamon amount to suit your taste or omit it if preferred.
  • Using cold butter sliced on top instead of melted butter creates a different texture with more buttery pockets.
  • Serve warm to fully appreciate the melting caramel and soft apple textures.
  • This dump cake can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple dump cake, easy apple dessert, fall dessert, dump cake recipe, caramel apple dessert, quick apple cake

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/caramel-apple-dump-cake-with-fresh-or-canned-apples-recipe/