Caramel Apple Dump Cake
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s as easy as it is irresistible, this Caramel Apple Dump Cake is the one to try. Picture a warm, tender, spiced cake layered with sweet apples, drizzled with gooey caramel, and topped with buttery pecans for a little crunch. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug, especially when you serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Sure, “dump cake” might not sound fancy, but you’ll forget the name entirely with one bite. This recipe is all about simplicity and flavor. With just a few steps and pantry staples, you’ll have a dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Dump cakes have been a go-to in my kitchen for years, and this caramel apple version is hands down a family favorite. The spices add a homemade touch that takes it to the next level, and the way the ice cream melts into the warm cake? Pure magic. Trust me, this recipe will become a staple for cozy nights and gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Easy to Make: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, this is the ultimate fuss-free dessert.
- Warm and Cozy Flavors: The combination of spiced apples, caramel, and buttery pecans is pure comfort in every bite.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a holiday gathering, this dessert fits right in.
- Customizable Toppings: Serve it with ice cream, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of extra caramel for a personalized touch.
- Crowd-Pleasing Classic: It’s a dessert that everyone—from kids to adults—will love and ask for again and again.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Tastes just as delicious reheated the next day (if you even have leftovers!).
- One Pan, Less Cleanup: Everything comes together in a single dish, making cleanup a breeze.
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
- Butter pecan cake mix: The foundation of this dessert, creating a tender, buttery, and slightly nutty cake topping.
- Apple pie filling: Provides a sweet, fruity base with tender apples and a hint of cinnamon.
- Caramel sauce: Adds a luscious layer of sweetness that pairs perfectly with the spiced apples.
- Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice: These warm spices elevate the flavor, giving it a homemade touch.
- Salted butter: Melts into the cake mix, creating a rich, golden crust with no dry spots.
- Pecan halves: Add crunch and texture to balance the soft, gooey layers.
- Whipped cream or ice cream: Perfect for serving, these creamy additions complement the warm cake beautifully.

How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Follow along to learn how to make caramel apple dump cake!
- Step One: Spread the pie filling on the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch pan. Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over top.
- Step Two: In a small bowl, mix the spices. Sprinkle over top of the caramel apple mixture.

- Step Three: Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over top of the caramel apple mixture.
- Step Four: Cut butter into thin squares and place evenly over the top of the cake mix. Make sure not to leave any large gaps.
- Step Five: Top with pecan halves.
- Step Six: Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 50 minutes or until the cake topping is golden brown.
- Step Seven: Served with whipped cream or ice cream. Tastes delicious hot or cold.

What to Serve with It
- Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of ice cream melting into the warm cake is pure heaven.
- Whipped Cream: Light and fluffy, it’s the perfect finishing touch.
- Extra Caramel Sauce: Because there’s no such thing as too much caramel!
- Chopped Pecans: Sprinkle a few on top for even more crunch and flavor.
- Fresh Apple Slices: A simple, crisp addition to balance the sweetness.
- Coffee or Hot Apple Cider: A cozy drink to enjoy alongside this warm dessert.

Variations and Substitutions
- Switch Up the Cake Mix: Try spice or yellow cake mix for a different flavor twist.
- Use Homemade Apple Filling: Swap the canned filling for homemade if you have extra time and want a fresher taste.
- Try Different Nuts: Walnuts or sliced almonds work just as well if you’re out of pecans.
- Add Some Cranberries: Toss a handful of dried cranberries into the filling for a tart burst of flavor.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free cake mix to adapt this dessert for dietary needs.
- Dial Down the Sweetness: Omit the caramel sauce or reduce the amount if you prefer it less sweet.
- Go Nut-Free: Skip the nuts or replace them with oats for a crunchy topping.
- Experiment with Spice: Add ginger or cloves for a slightly different spiced flavor profile.

Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature – Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator – For longer storage, place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freezer – Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe bag or container, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating – Warm individual servings in the microwave for about 30 seconds or reheat the entire pan in a 350°F oven until heated.

Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Don’t Skimp on Butter: Make sure to use enough butter to cover the top evenly. It melts into the cake mix, creating that golden, crispy topping. If you don’t use enough, you’ll have dry, powdery spots.
- Choose Your Nuts (or Skip Them!): Pecan halves or pieces add a lovely crunch and nutty flavor, but they’re completely optional. If you’re not a fan of nuts or need a nut-free option, simply leave them out.
- Even Layers Are Key: Spread each ingredient layer as evenly as possible. This ensures the butter melts and bakes everything uniformly, so you get the perfect bite every time.
- Adjust the Sweetness: The caramel sauce adds richness, but you can reduce the amount if you prefer a less sweet dessert.
- Serve It Fresh: While it’s great reheated, this dessert is best served warm out of the oven with your favorite topping.

What is a Dump Cake?
A dump cake is as simple as it sounds—you just “dump” the ingredients into a pan and bake. There’s no mixing or fuss, making it the ultimate easy dessert. Layers of fruit filling, dry cake mix, and butter bake into a dessert that’s like a mix between a cobbler and a cake. It’s quick, comforting, and perfect for any occasion!
Dump Cake Recipes
- Cranberry Cobbler Dump Cake
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Dump Cake
- Strawberry Dump Cake
- Pumpkin Dump Cake
- Apple Dump Cake
- Black Forest Dump Cake
- Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
- Cranberry Cobbler Dump Cake
- Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
Try Quick Slice Cake, Apple Raisin Cake, Nobby Apple Cake, Apple Pie Egg Rolls, Apple Compote, Air Fryer Apples, and Copycat Taco Bell Air Fryer Caramel Apple Empanadas.
Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Video
Ingredients
- 1 box butter pecan cake mix
- 2 cans apple pie filling about 4 – 5 cups
- ½ cup caramel sauce
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ⅙ tsp allspice
- ¾ to 1 cup salted butter
- 1 cup pecan halves
Instructions
- Spread the pie filling on the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch pan. Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over top.
- In a small bowl, mix together the spices. Sprinkle over top of the caramel apple mixture.
- Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over top of the caramel apple mixture.
- Cut butter into thin squares and place evenly over top the cake mix. Make sure to not leave any large gaps.
- Top with pecan halves.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 50 minutes or until cake topping is golden brown.
- Served with whipped cream or ice cream. Tastes delicious hot or cold.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Did you make this recipe?
I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.
Want Even More Recipes?
Join Moms Best Recipes to find more delicious family recipes.
free ebook!
The Best of Simply Stacie
When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!
I have just a little comment, if your butter doesn’t get onto all of the cake mix, lighty spray Pam on the spots. I know sometimes the butter has trouble getting over some tall apples sticking out..I also spray my rolls when they come out of the oven with Pam..gives them a shiny look!
I like super easy recipes . No time for cooking things that required a lot of kitchen time these days. This is as complicated as I will do.
I can only find butter pecan cake mix with pudding. Will this work? I’ve noticed a lot of dump cake recipes say don’t get a cake mix with pudding.
I haven’t made it with a pudding cake mix so I’m not sure. You can use another flavor of cake mix though. Yellow cake mix is also good!
Can’t wait to try this, sounds soooo good an easy to.
I hate the consenty if cooked apple I know I’m weird but can you use apple sauce instead of pie filling?
It will taste different for sure, and should work. You could try it and see what you think. Let me know if you do. I’d love to hear how it went.
I would use cooked fresh apples with applesauce, you need some thing to be solid about it. I think apple sauce alone will not make you happy with the end result.
I’m making a grocery list now, this will make my husband extremely happy. Lol. One question, is thus carmel sauce like ice cream topping or is it melted carmel? Not sure which to get. Thanks
I use caramel sundae sauce!
This is a real hit!!!!! Making again today for family !!!! Can’t say enough about how great and easy this is!!!
Do you need to grease the pan? I see no mention of it.
Hi Patty,
Thanks so much for pointing that out! Yes, you should grease it. I updated the recipe card.
Thanks for the recipe! Lived it, and it was great with butter pecan ice cream !
Can you use fresh apples?
I haven’t tried it with fresh apples – just the apple pie filling. If I were to use fresh apples, I’d make sure to mix them with sugar and cinnamon so they’ll be sweet.
Made this today & split it into two pans smaller pans to share one with a neighbor. I used a butter yellow cake mix & omitted the pecans because I was out. This was delicious and a great alternative to the typical dump cakes. Great to have these ingredients on hand for whenever you want an easy dessert.
I am cutting recipe in half, how long should I bake it for.?
I would check it at 30 minutes and see what it looks like.
Man that was great!! Couldn’t find Butter Pecan cake mix so I used Yellow. Tasty, crunchy, sweet and just delicious. Thanks.
JENNY.. I was shopping for these ingredients last night and found SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE!! As you suggested adding salt to the caramel sauce, I think this particular sauce would be a wonderful way to get the taste you are looking for
Do we need to use salted or unsalted butter?
I used salted butter, but if you only have unsalted butter, that should be fine!
Someone ask if putting Caramel on top before baking. I was responding to that question & my comment. If you put caramel on top before baking it would burn or get too hard of a crunch baking it on top also. Although I think as soon as you get out of oven or a few minute just to melt would be really good addition. I am going to make this for sure. I could see using other fruit pie mixes also!
Just made this but in two brownie pans so I can have a whole one later for the family. I am going to add carmel on the top after it comes out of the oven and add salt. I love salted caramel. I added salt to the middle section of carmel also. So can’t wait to eat this tonight.
I just bought all the ingredients to make this tonight! Can I drizzle caramel over the top too (in addition to the caramel inside), before baking ? I wonder if it will help the top stay moist, or will it burn, you think? Thanks!! Looking forward to trying it 🙂
Good question! My concern would be that it might burn on the top in the oven. I hope you love it!
My box mix says it has pudding in the cake mix, will this change or hurt this recipe?
It should be ok!
Does this need to be refrigerated after cooking
Yes, store any uneaten cake in the fridge. You can microwave it when you are ready to eat it so it’s nice and warm.
Can you put the ingredients together the day before and bake it the next day?
Yes, you can. Just store it in the fridge till you are ready to bake.
Hi, I am wondering if caramel topping is the same as caramel sauce?? What type do you use?? I know the syrup isn’t the same. Thanks!!!
I’ve used regular caramel sundae sauce and also made my own caramel too! Whatever you have and your preference is.
Sundae sauce: https://www.smuckers.com/products/ice-cream-topping/sundae-syrup-flavored-syrups/caramel
Homemade: https://www.simplystacie.net/2018/08/caramel-sauce/
looks good and simple
can’t wait to make this..will add spices into the carmel