Description
This Caramel Apple Dump Cake is a delightfully easy dessert featuring layers of apple pie filling, warm caramel, and spiced pumpkin pie flavors topped with a buttery white cake mix crust. Perfectly baked to golden brown perfection and best served warm with vanilla ice cream and extra caramel sauce for an indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 24 ounce cans of apple pie filling
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- â…” cup caramel syrup
Topping
- 15.25 ounce white cake mix
- 1 cup salted butter (cut into 12 squares)
Optional Garnish
- Cold vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan using cooking spray to prevent sticking. Spread the apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the pan to form the base layer.
- Add Spice: Sprinkle the pumpkin pie spice evenly over the apple pie filling, enhancing the dessert with warm autumnal flavors.
- Drizzle Caramel: Evenly drizzle the caramel syrup across the spiced apple filling. Lightly swirl the caramel into the filling with a spatula, taking care not to fully mix it in, to maintain distinct layers of flavor.
- Apply Cake Mix: Open the white cake mix package and sprinkle it uniformly over the caramel and apple layer, creating the top layer of the dessert.
- Add Butter: Cut the cold salted butter into approximately 12 small squares. Distribute these butter pieces evenly over the sprinkled cake mix, which helps create a rich, golden crust during baking.
- Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top cake layer turns a beautiful golden brown and is cooked through.
- Prevent Burning: If you notice the edges browning too quickly before the center is done, tent the edges with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning and ensure even baking.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool for at least 10 minutes. Serve warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream and an optional drizzle of caramel sauce for a decadent dessert experience.
Notes
- For best results, do not fully mix the caramel syrup into the apple filling; light swirling creates a better texture and flavor contrast.
- If you prefer a less sweet version, reduce the caramel syrup slightly or use a low-sugar apple pie filling.
- Ensure butter is evenly distributed on top for a consistent golden crust.
- Use fresh pumpkin pie spice or a quality store-bought to maximize flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently before serving.
