Description
This Caramel Apple Dump Cake is a delightful treat featuring tender Gala apples, soft caramel candies, and a warm blend of spices, all topped with a buttery yellow cake mix. Easy to prepare with minimal effort, this dessert perfects the balance of sweet and spiced flavors, baked to a golden brown finish for a comforting slice every time.
Ingredients
Preparation
- Cooking spray, for pan
Apple Mixture
- 5 large (9 oz. each) Gala apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-in.-thick slices (about 8 cups)
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp. apple pie spice
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Caramel and Cake Topping
- 1 cup caramel candies (from 1 [11-oz.] package), halved (such as Kraft Caramels)
- 1 (15 1/4-oz.) package yellow cake mix (such as Duncan Hines)
- 1 cup (8 oz.) unsalted butter, cut into 1/8-in.-thick slices
Instructions
- Prepare oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 13- x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then set it aside for assembly.
- Make apple mixture: In a large bowl, combine the peeled, cored, and sliced Gala apples with packed light brown sugar, apple pie spice, kosher salt, and ground nutmeg. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated with the sugar and spices, ensuring rich flavor throughout.
- Add apples to baking dish: Transfer the spiced apple mixture into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly to form a uniform layer. Next, sprinkle the halved caramel candies evenly over the top of the apples to add a luscious sweetness that melts during baking.
- Add cake mix: Carefully sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the apple and caramel layer, covering the filling but not pressing down.
- Cover with butter: Arrange the thin slices of unsalted butter evenly over the dry cake mix. Make sure that most of the cake mix is covered with butter slices to promote a golden, moist crust during baking.
- Bake dump cake: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes until the top is golden brown and a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. After baking, cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving or storing.
- Storage: Once cooled, store the dump cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use Gala apples for natural sweetness; Granny Smith can be used for a tarter flavor.
- Make sure to evenly cover the cake mix with butter slices to ensure proper topping texture and browning.
- For a richer flavor, consider serving warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- This cake can be reheated gently in the microwave or oven before serving.
- Store covered at room temperature and avoid refrigeration to keep the crust crisp.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 55 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
