Easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Warm apples, gooey caramel, and a buttery crumble topping that basically makes itself. This dump cake is the easiest way to get that cozy fall flavor on the table fast!

In the fall, I don’t have time for desserts that take hours and 47 bowls.

Especially desserts that get eaten in 5 minutes flat anyway.

That’s why I love dump cakes, especially this caramel apple one!

You literally just dump everything in, throw it in the oven, and wait for your house to smell like a county fair.

It has everything: warm apples, gooey caramal, and a crunchy topping.

Perfect with a big ol’ scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Here’s how you throw it together:

Ingredients for Caramel Apple Dump Cake

You don’t need anything fancy for this one, just a few pantry staples and some cozy fall flavors.

Grab these and you’re good to go:

• Apple pie filling – sweet, soft apples already spiced up and ready to dump in.
• Caramel sauce – that sticky, gooey magic that makes the whole thing taste like the fair.
• Yellow cake mix – shortcut topping that turns golden and buttery in the oven.
• Butter – melts down into the cake mix so it’s all crunchy and rich.
• Cinnamon – totally optional, but adds that warm, cozy vibe.
• Vanilla ice cream – not required, but the melty scoop on top is the dream.

How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake

1. Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F and give it a few minutes to warm up.

Grease a 9×13 pan so nothing sticks and you don’t end up scrubbing later.

2. Layer the Apples

Dump the apple pie filling into the pan and spread it around so it covers the bottom.

Don’t stress if it’s not perfectly even!

It all bakes together anyway.

If you want extra cinnamon (and who doesn’t?), you can stir a little into the filling first.

3. Drizzle the Caramel

Pour caramel sauce over the apples so every bite gets that gooey sweetness.

I usually let the youngest help with this step, though it gets messy fast.

Mom tip: a spoon works better than trying to pour straight from the bottle.

4. Sprinkle the Cake Mix

Shake the dry cake mix evenly over the apples and caramel.

It’ll look strange at first, like it’s just powder sitting there but trust me, it works.

Using a fork to spread it out helps avoid big clumps.

5. Add the Butter

Pour the melted butter slowly across the cake mix, covering as much as possible.

This is what turns that dry mix into a crispy golden crust!

If you miss a few dry spots, you can poke them with a knife halfway through baking.

6. Bake and Serve

Slide the pan in the oven for about 45–50 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.

Let it cool just a bit before digging in so it sets up.

Vanilla ice cream melting over a warm slice is worth the wait!

Dessert That Practically Makes Itself

This cake is one of those desserts that looks like you put in way more effort than you did, which is my kind of baking.

It’s warm, cozy, and just the right mix of gooey and crunchy.

And it’s perfect for busy weeknights, family get-togethers, or when you just want something sweet without the fuss!