The Easiest Salted Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Today, we’re sharing THE easiest salted caramel apple dump cake recipe!

And by easy, we’re talking just a few ingredients.

This dessert is so simple it can be made during a busy work week. It’s also perfect to bring to your next Sunday Supper get together.

Preparing for Fall

This time of year always seems like a tricky one, you know?

On one hand, we’re trying to hold onto that “lazy days of summer” feeling before everything back to school and all things fall starts to take over our schedules.

Yet, on the other hand, we’re kind of excited about a fresh start, settling back into familiar routines and committing to new goals too.

In fact, we’ve yet to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall without thinking about our favorite year of change and transition.

If you’ve been following the blog for a while now, you probably know my Dad served in the military for over four decades. My Mom was a total rockstar as a teacher and was even Teacher of the Year.

Life in a Military Family

One year during a particularly hectic cross- country move, she decided to take a year off from teaching to make sure we all adjusted well – and it was probably one of the best years we’ve ever had as a family.

My sisters and I were at different schools with completely different checkout times and schedules. So, my Mom would come up with creative ways to spend time with us individually. While also making sure we finished our homework each day.

I seriously don’t know how she kept it all up but as we all know Moms are superheroes. Every afternoon she would pick us up from school and place a little surprise in our seat.

Sometimes it would be a handwritten note telling how much she loved us. Other times it would be a new pair of shoes or glittery hair scrunchies.  And sometimes it would be a map with directions that took us to the beach, the park, the mall, the farmers market, or to pet the manatees in the Intercoastal.

There were times she had freshly baked goodies for us. She would wrap the warm treats in parchment paper with ribbon or baker’s twine. We would sit on the boardwalk, soak in the salt air and she would tell us stories about when she was a teenager.

Oh, my word, they were all fabulous tales, and looking back it helped us to really know her so much better. It was during those talks we realized she had experienced so many things that make growing up and finding your own way hard sometimes.

Learning to Bake Fall Treats

One of the desserts we learned to make that year was called a dump cake. It’s basically where you dump fruit in the bottom of a baking dish and cover the fruit up with butter and cake mix.

There is nothing healthy about this salted caramel apple dump cake or really any dump cake for that matter.  But gosh, when you need a quick dessert that feels like comfort food – it’s the best.

As we transition from summer to fall, I thought I would share this recipe for the Easiest Salted Caramel Apple Dump Cake. In case you have someone you want to spend some time with telling secrets, sharing stories, and laughing the afternoon away too.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious treat…

Easy Salted Caramel Apple Dump Cake Ingredients:

  • 2 Cans/40 ounces of Apple Filling (if you have time you can always make your own apple filling)
  • 1 Tsp Cinnamon
  • ¼ Tsp Nutmeg
  • 1 Box of Butter Cake Mix (you could also use caramel apple, french vanilla or spice cake mix too)
  • I Stick Butter
  • Caramel Sauce (you can make your own or buy caramel sauce at your local grocery store)
  • Salt
  • Walnuts or Pecans (optional)

Easy Salted Caramel Apple Dump Cake Steps:

Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine the 2 cans of apple filling, the cinnamon, and the nutmeg. Depending on the size of the apples, you might want to cut the apples into smaller bites.

Also, you might want to adjust the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg you use depending on which apple filling (country-style apple vs standard apple) you chose.

Spread the mixture into an even layer on the bottom of the baking dish.

Sprinkle the cake mix on top of the fruit layer.

Using caution and care as a knife will be sharp, cut butter into small pieces, and place the butter on top of the sprinkled cake mix.

You could also melt a stick of butter and pour it over the cake mix too.

Bake for 40-45 mins or until the top of the easiest salted caramel apple dump cake is brown or the filling is bubbling.

Allow the salted caramel apple dump cake to cool to warm before serving.

If you’ve never had dump cake before the consistency will be more like that of an apple crisp.

Scoop the apple dump cake onto a plate or in your favorite food-safe vintage container.

Top with a drizzle of caramel sauce, a sprinkle of salt, chopped pecans or walnuts, and a scoop of French vanilla bean ice cream if desired.

Slow down and fully enjoy!

An Easy Fall Recipe for the Win

We love this recipe for the easiest salted caramel apple dump cake for three simple reasons:

  • Quick
  • Easy
  • Customizable (No pecans? No problem!)

I know the summer to fall transition can be a hectic one especially if you have littles going back to school or cuties leaving for college.

But I also know we make time for the things that are important to us.

If you’re tired of the overwhelm or need to relax consider inviting a trusted friend over for a heart to heart.

Then cozy up with your favorite people to enjoy this easy salted caramel apple dump cake.

It’s really good!

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

A Few Other Apple Inspired Posts You Might Enjoy:

Many blessings,

CoCo

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7 Comments

  1. Thanks for this quick and easy recipe Coco. The girls are going to enjoy this. I might leave off the caramel sauce though, they don’t need any extra sugar and this looks pretty sweet.

    1. ha ha it’s definitely sweeter with the caramel sauce Sarah so I dont’ blame you for not wanting them to have the extra sugar. I will say there is a big difference in using the country apple which has a sweeter taste than the standard apple filling so make sure you choose carefully at the store unless you make your own. Hugs, CoCo

  2. YUM! You had our attention at the mention of caramel! We can’t wait to give this cake recipe a try! Thanks for sharing your sweet childhood memories with your mom…she is a great lady! Much love!

    1. Doesn’t this make you want to drive to Ellijay and pick some apples? We love apples anytime but the minute you add some caramel sauce it’s a game changer ha ha. Lots of hugs, CoCo

  3. RACHEL HARPER says:

    CoCo,
    This recipe sounds so so good. I can’t wait to try it. I plan to share a link on Sunday!

  4. I make something very similar, but I have never thought to add pecans. That really takes it up a notch! I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!

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