Ingredients:
- 2 cans (20 ounces each) apple pie filling
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups Kraft caramels, unwrapped and each cut in half
- 1 box dry yellow cake mix
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into ¼ inch thick pats
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13×9 inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the apple pie filling, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Mix until well combined. Pour the apple mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
- Add Caramels: Arrange the halved Kraft caramels over the top of the apple filling, distributing them evenly.
- Sprinkle Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the caramels, covering them completely.
- Top with Butter: Place the pats of unsalted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix, ensuring that the entire surface is covered.
- Bake: Transfer the casserole dish to the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the edges are bubbling.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the dump cake to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, either on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
- Enjoy: Enjoy the deliciousness of this easy-to-make Caramel Apple Dump Cake with its irresistible combination of caramel, apple, and cake flavors!
This simple dessert is perfect for any occasion and is sure to impress with its gooey caramel, tender apple filling, and buttery cake topping.
Here are some helpful tips to make your Caramel Apple Dump Cake even more delightful:
- Use Fresh Apples: While canned apple pie filling is convenient, using fresh apples adds a more authentic and flavorful touch to the dessert. Simply peel, core, and slice apples, then toss them with a bit of sugar and cinnamon before layering in the pan.
- Homemade Caramel Sauce: For an extra decadent twist, consider making your own caramel sauce instead of using store-bought caramels. Homemade caramel sauce adds a richer flavor and smoother texture to the dump cake. Drizzle the sauce over the apple filling before adding the cake mix.
- Add Nuts: For added crunch and texture, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the caramel layer before adding the cake mix. Nuts complement the flavors of the apples and caramel and provide a satisfying contrast to the soft cake.
- Experiment with Spices: While cinnamon and nutmeg are classic spices for apple desserts, feel free to experiment with other warm spices like cloves, ginger, or allspice. Adjust the spice blend to suit your taste preferences and create a unique flavor profile.
- Mix in Extras: Enhance the flavor and texture of the dump cake by mixing in additional ingredients like raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dried apricots with the apple filling. These add-ins provide bursts of sweetness and complexity to each bite.
- Layer Ingredients Carefully: To ensure even distribution of ingredients and maximize flavor in every bite, layer the ingredients in the pan carefully. Start with the apple filling, then add the caramel/caramel sauce, followed by the cake mix and butter pats. Spread each layer evenly to create a balanced dessert.
- Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: After baking, drizzle the top of the dump cake with additional caramel sauce for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal. This adds a finishing touch to the dessert and makes it look even more irresistible.
- Serve with Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: Elevate the Caramel Apple Dump Cake by serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The creamy, cold topping complements the warm, gooey dessert and adds a delightful contrast of temperatures.
- Store Properly: Store any leftover dump cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for a few seconds before serving to restore warmth and gooeyness.
- Enjoy Freshly Baked: For the best flavor and texture, enjoy the dump cake fresh out of the oven while it’s still warm and gooey. The aromas of caramel and apple filling the air will make it even more delightful!
By incorporating these tips, you’ll take your Caramel Apple Dump Cake to the next level of deliciousness and create a dessert that’s sure to impress!
Here are some secrets to help you achieve perfection:
- Select the Right Apples: Choose apples that are firm, crisp, and slightly tart for the best flavor and texture in your dump cake. Popular options include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn apples. Avoid using apples that are overly soft or mushy.
- Enhance the Caramel Flavor: Boost the caramel flavor by incorporating additional caramel sauce or caramel extract into the recipe. Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the apple filling before adding the cake mix for an extra indulgent touch.
- Layer Ingredients Strategically: Layer the ingredients in the baking dish strategically to ensure even distribution of flavors and textures. Start with the apple pie filling, followed by the caramel sauce or caramel pieces, then the dry cake mix, and finally, the butter slices.
- Use Quality Ingredients: Opt for high-quality ingredients, including real butter, premium apple pie filling, and authentic caramel sauce. Using quality ingredients will enhance the overall taste and texture of the dump cake.
- Sprinkle with Spices: Add depth of flavor to the dump cake by sprinkling ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or apple pie spice over the apple filling before adding the cake mix. These warm spices complement the sweetness of the apples and caramel.
- Add Texture with Nuts: For added texture and crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts over the top of the dump cake before baking. Nuts add a delightful contrast to the soft cake and gooey caramel filling.
- Ensure Even Butter Distribution: Distribute the butter slices evenly over the top of the cake mix to ensure that each bite is moist and buttery. Even butter distribution helps create a golden, crispy topping as the dump cake bakes.
- Monitor Baking Time: Keep an eye on the dump cake as it bakes to prevent overcooking or burning. Bake until the top is golden brown and bubbling around the edges, and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
- Allow to Rest Before Serving: Allow the dump cake to cool slightly after baking to allow the flavors to meld together and the caramel to set. Serve warm for the best taste and texture.
- Serve with Ice Cream: Elevate the indulgence by serving the warm dump cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The combination of warm cake, gooey caramel, and cold ice cream creates a perfect harmony of flavors and temperatures.
By incorporating these secrets, you’ll be well on your way to achieving the perfect Caramel Apple Dump Cake that’s sure to impress with its rich caramel flavor, tender apples, and buttery cake topping.