Best 20-Min Apple Dump Cake Recipe for Holiday 2025

Imagine wrapping yourself in a soft blanket on a crisp fall evening, a warm bowl of gooey, buttery caramel apple dump cake in your hands, and the scent of cinnamon filling the air. Sounds like heaven, right?

This Caramel Apple Dump Cake is the kind of dessert that brings people together, whether it’s a Sunday dinner, a fall party, or a “just because” treat. It’s cozy, easy, and outrageously delicious.

Let’s dive into this soul-warming recipe that’s full of love, flavor, and that perfect caramel drizzle.

What Is a Dump Cake and Why You’ll Love It

If you’ve never heard of a dump cake before, you’re in for a real treat, literally. Despite the unglamorous name, this dessert is a crowd-pleasing, low-effort, high-reward masterpiece that you’ll want to make over and over again.

So, what exactly is a dump cake?

A dump cake is a no-mix, no-fuss dessert that’s assembled by simply “dumping” ingredients into a baking dish in layers. No whisking.

No electric mixers. No need to dirty every bowl in your kitchen. You just layer the fruit, dry cake mix, and butter, then pop it in the oven.

The result? A gooey, fruity base with a golden, buttery, slightly crunchy topping that’s somewhere between a cake and a cobbler.

Think of it like this: it’s the lazy baker’s dream dessert. But don’t be fooled—there’s nothing lazy about the flavor. It’s comforting, rich, and nostalgic in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Caramel Apple Version

Let’s be honest, caramel and apples were made for each other. This dump cake brings that classic pairing to life in the easiest way possible:

• 🍏 Apple pie filling gives you that warm, spiced apple flavor without all the peeling and slicing.
• 🍯 Caramel drizzle melts into the apples, creating a sticky-sweet layer that tastes like a caramel apple on a fall day.
• 🍰 Yellow cake mix forms a golden, buttery crust on top that holds everything together like a warm hug.
• 🧈 Butter pads melt through the cake mix, giving you that crisp texture with every bite.

Whether you’re baking this for a holiday dinner, a fall-themed party, or just because you’re craving something warm and gooey, this caramel apple dump cake hits all the right notes.

And here’s the best part: it takes less than 10 minutes to throw together.

Essential Ingredients You’ll Need

Ready to make magic in a baking dish? Let’s take a look at what you’ll need. This recipe is super flexible, so feel free to tweak it to fit your taste or pantry.

Ingredient	Purpose in the Recipe
Apple Pie Filling	Forms the fruity, gooey base of the dessert. Use two cans to get the right thickness.
Cinnamon	Adds warm spice and enhances the apple flavor. A light sprinkle is all you need.
Caramel Sauce	Provides that rich, sticky sweetness that melts into the apple’s classic fall flavor.
Yellow Cake Mix	The dry mix forms the topping. As it bakes with butter, it turns into a golden crust.
Butter or Margarine	Helps create a crispy, rich top layer when melted into the cake mix. Use real butter for the best flavor.

These five ingredients are all you need to whip up a dessert that tastes like it took hours to make. But you and I both know it’s all about the dump and bake magic.

How to Make Caramel Apple Dump Cake (Step-by-Step Guide)

Let’s talk dessert, a simple, warm, caramel-drizzled dessert that tastes like it came straight from grandma’s oven, but only takes minutes to prep. Yes, we’re talking about Caramel Apple Dump Cake, your new fall favorite.

No mixer. No fancy tools. No baking degree needed.

This cake is perfect for last-minute guests, lazy Sunday baking, or anytime you need a dessert that makes people say, “Wait… YOU made this?!”

Here’s precisely how to make this beauty, step by step.

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish

First things first, grab your baking dish. A standard 9×13-inch glass or ceramic dish works best here.

Give it a light greasing with butter or cooking spray. This simple step prevents sticking and makes clean-up a breeze. You don’t want all that gooey goodness glued to the bottom, right?

🧈 Think of greasing the dish as laying down a red carpet for your ingredients. You’re setting the stage for dessert magic.

Set the dish aside for now. Things are about to get delicious.

Step 2: Add the Apple Pie Filling

Time to bring in the apple pie filling, this is the fruity, cozy heart of your dump cake.

You’ll need two full cans. One simply won’t cut it unless you’re adding another fruit layer underneath (which could be fun, but today, we’re going classic caramel apple).

Spoon the filling directly into your greased baking dish. Use a fork or spatula to gently spread it out, making sure every inch of the dish is covered evenly.

What you’re creating here is the “apple” in caramel apple, sweet, soft, and spiced.

Step 3: Sprinkle the Cinnamon

What’s apple pie without cinnamon? Flat, that’s what.

Lightly sprinkle ground cinnamon over the apple filling. You don’t need to go heavy-handed. Just a soft coating across the top will add that warm, cozy fall flavor we all crave.

🍂 Cinnamon is the autumn whisper in your dump cake. It adds just enough warmth to make the apples taste home-baked.

You can use regular ground cinnamon or even apple pie spice if you want to kick it up a notch.

Once it’s sprinkled, don’t stir it in—we’re layering, not mixing.

Step 4: Drizzle That Caramel

Okay, this is where things get dreamy.

Take your caramel sauce, store-bought or homemade, and drizzle it generously over the apple-cinnamon layer. Let it sink between the apple chunks and around the edges.

Imagine a caramel apple at the county fair, but baked in a dish and served warm with ice cream.

🍯 As if apple dump cake wasn’t enough, we’re adding caramel. And this step takes the flavor from good to oh-my-word amazing.

Use as much or as little as you like. Want it extra gooey? Go wild. Prefer a lighter sweetness? A gentle swirl is just fine.

The caramel will bake into the apples and make them even more flavorful, turning that filling into a sticky, soft, flavorful base that’s pure comfort.

Step 5: Pour on the Cake Mix

Now comes the “cake” part of the dump cake.

Take your yellow cake mix, yes, the dry mix straight from the box, and sprinkle it evenly over the entire caramel apple mixture.

✋ Don’t mix it. Don’t add eggs. Don’t add oil.
Just pour it straight on, dry, like fairy dust.

This might feel strange if you’re used to traditional cake recipes, but trust the process. As the cake bakes, the butter (coming next!) will melt into this dry mix and transform it into a golden, cobbler-like crust.

Use a spoon or spatula to gently smooth the cake mix across the dish, making sure it’s evenly distributed from corner to corner. You don’t want thick mounds in one section and bald patches in another.

🎂 This dry mix forms the crispy, golden crown of your dump cake. It’s the part everyone fights over, so get it right.

Step 6: Add Pads of Butter

Now, for the secret weapon: butter.

Take two sticks of butter or margarine (either one works) and slice them into thin slices, about ¼-inch thick.

Lay each butter pad directly on top of the cake mix. Cover as much of the surface as possible. This is what gives the topping its crisp, golden, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

🧈 Think of each pad as a little flavor bomb that melts down into the mix, binding everything together and giving you that golden crunch.

Some people prefer to melt the butter and pour it all over the top. That works too! But the creator swears by pads of butter, saying it gives the cake an even, satisfying bake.

Whatever method you choose, make sure no dry cake mix is left exposed. That buttery coverage is key.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

At this point, your masterpiece is ready to bake.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and slide your dish into the center rack. Bake for 35–45 minutes.

You’ll know it’s done when:

• The top is golden brown
• The edges are bubbling.
• A fork inserted into the center comes out with soft crumbs (not gooey batter)

Depending on your oven, you might need a few extra minutes. Keep an eye on that color, it’s the best visual cue. You’re aiming for a crispy golden top, not a pale one.

⏱️ It took precisely 35 minutes. Your oven might differ slightly, so start checking around the 30-minute mark.

When it’s done, the cake will be crispy on top and bubbling underneath, with the caramel and apple layers working together in delicious harmony.

Let it cool for at least 10–15 minutes before serving. Not only will this keep you from burning your tongue, but it also helps the dessert “set,” making it easier to scoop.

Serving Suggestions: Vanilla Ice Cream & More

You’ve just pulled your caramel apple dump cake out of the oven. The top is golden and crisp, the caramel is bubbling around the edges, and the smell? Intoxicating. But how do you serve it to make it truly unforgettable?

Let’s talk next-level dessert vibes.

🍦 Add Vanilla Ice Cream (Non-Negotiable)

Let’s not pretend vanilla ice cream is the ride-or-die partner for this dump cake.

Scoop up a warm serving of cake into a bowl, and immediately top it with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast between warm and cold is magical. As the ice cream melts into the crispy topping and gooey caramel base, every bite becomes a melting pot of comfort.

“Gotta have vanilla ice cream,” the creator said, and she was 100% right.

Golden vanilla or French vanilla brings extra richness and works beautifully here. You can even use salted caramel swirl or cinnamon bun ice cream for a flavor twist.

🍯 Drizzle Extra Caramel

More caramel? YES, please.

Heat your caramel sauce slightly so it’s warm and pourable, then drizzle it all over the ice cream and cake. This adds shine, sweetness, and just enough stickiness to make each bite unforgettable.

🥄 Top with Crushed Pecans or Walnuts

If you like a little crunch, add some chopped nuts right before serving. Pecans and walnuts both add a buttery, nutty contrast to the sweet filling and soft apples.

Bonus: They make your dessert look fancy with zero extra effort.

🌟 Sprinkle a Touch of Sea Salt

A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top can elevate this dessert to a gourmet experience. The salt cuts the sweetness just enough and balances the flavors like a pro.

🍎 Serve with Spiced Apple Cider or Coffee

If you’re hosting a fall gathering, this dump cake pairs beautifully with:

• Warm spiced apple cider
• Cinnamon lattes
• Chai tea
• Or even a scoop of bourbon whipped cream for adult gatherings

You’re not just serving dessert, you’re creating a moment.

5 Tips for the Best Dump Cake Ever

You already know this recipe is simple. But if you want it to come out perfect every time, keep these pro tips in mind:

✅ 1. Use Two Full Cans of Apple Pie Filling

One might look like enough, but trust that it’s not.

Two cans create the proper filling-to-crust ratio. It’s thick, sweet, and fruity without drying out or feeling skimpy. That extra depth makes all the difference in texture and taste.

✅ 2. Don’t Mix the Layers

Dump cake is all about layering, not mixing.

When you pour the dry cake mix over the filling, resist the urge to stir. The cake mix and butter will bake together naturally and create a beautiful crust. Mixing would ruin that layered texture.

✅ 3. Cover Every Inch with Butter

Butter is your friend. It’s what transforms dry cake mix into a crisp, golden topping.

Whether you use butter pats or pour melted butter, make sure you cover the surface as evenly as possible.

✅ 4. Let It Cool Slightly Before Serving

We know it’s hard. You want to dig in the second it comes out of the oven.

But wait at least 10–15 minutes to let it set. This helps the layers firm up a bit and makes scooping much easier (and less messy). Plus, it gives you time to grab the ice cream!

✅ 5. Don’t Skimp on the Caramel

This isn’t just an apple dump cake; it’s a caramel apple dump cake.

That gooey, buttery drizzle takes the whole thing to the next level. Pour it over the apples before baking, and save some for the top afterward. It’s the sticky, sweet hug that ties it all together.

Variations to Try

Want to shake things up? Here are some easy and delicious variations to try once you’ve mastered the classic caramel apple version.

Variation	What to Do
Salted Caramel Apple Dump Cake	Use salted caramel and sprinkle with sea salt before serving.
Apple-Pear Dump Cake	Replace one can of apple pie filling with pear filling for a milder flavor.
Spice Cake Apple Dump Cake	Use a spice cake mix instead of yellow for extra warmth and cinnamon.
Nutty Apple Dump Cake	Add a layer of chopped pecans or walnuts before the cake mix.
Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake	Swirl in cream cheese frosting after baking. Add cinnamon sugar to the top.
Apple-Cherry Dump Cake	Layer apple and cherry pie fillings together for a fruity twist.
Gluten-Free Version	Use a gluten-free cake mix and ensure the pie filling is gluten-free.
Vegan Version	Use dairy-free margarine and a vegan-friendly cake mix.
Slow Cooker Dump Cake	Layer ingredients in a crockpot and cook on HIGH for 2.5 to 3 hours.
Apple Cranberry Dump Cake	Replace half of the apple filling with canned whole cranberries.

Final Thoughts

There’s something undeniably special about Caramel Apple Dump Cake. It’s one of those magical desserts that’s effortless to make but impossible to forget.

Whether you’re baking it on a lazy weekend, surprising your family on a cozy fall night, or bringing it to a holiday potluck, this dessert never fails to impress.

From the warm cinnamon apples to the gooey caramel and that golden buttery crust, every spoonful tastes like a big warm hug. And with just a handful of pantry staples, you’ve got a dessert that feels homemade in the best way possible because it is.

So go ahead, scoop it up, top it with a mountain of vanilla ice cream, and don’t forget that caramel drizzle because dessert should feel as good as it tastes.

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