Description
Learn how to make delicious Apple Caramel Dump Cake. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups peeled and sliced apples (about 4 medium apples, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (dry, not prepared)
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for crunch)
- 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
If you want to switch things up or accommodate what you have on hand, here are a few substitutions that have worked well for me: swap the yellow cake mix for a spice cake mix for an extra warm flavor, or use a gluten-free cake mix if needed. For the caramel, homemade is always a treat, but a good-quality store-bought sauce works great too—especially on busy weeknights. And if nuts aren’t your thing or someone in the family has allergies, simply leave them out. This cake is all about making it your own.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, toss the peeled and sliced apples with the granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract until the apples are evenly coated. This blend of spices brings back memories of family dinners where the smell of cinnamon was as comforting as the company.
- Pour the apple mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the apples. Resist the urge to stir—this is the “dump” part that makes this recipe so easy and forgiving.
- Scatter the chopped nuts evenly over the cake mix layer, if using. I love the texture contrast they add, especially when Eli insists on “crunchy bites.”
- Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the entire dish. Make sure to cover as much of the surface as possible—this helps the cake mix turn golden and crispy.
- Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling around the edges. You’ll know it’s done when the caramel sauce starts to bubble through the sides and the cake has a lovely crust on top.
- Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle the caramel sauce over the warm cake. This final touch seals in the rich, buttery flavor and keeps the cake moist. Trust me, this step was a game-changer the first time I tried it.
- Allow the cake to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. It’s tempting to dive right in, but letting it settle helps the layers meld together beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Apple Caramel Dump Cake, recipe, cooking, food
