Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake

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This Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake is an easy dessert to make when you want a caramel apples fix! Perfect fall flavors for autumn or any time of year!

A serving of Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake on a white plate with a red spoon next to a baking pan of the rest of the dump cake

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Some of the best desserts are ones that you can throw together and put in the oven before a gathering, and that is the case with my Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake! With creamy caramel, rich apple filling, and crunchy pecans, this is going to be a hit! 

Different from a cobbler or a crisp, this dump cake has a buttery pecan topping that will resemble a pecan pie. That said, I think this recipe is even easier. 

My Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake is something that you can use to teach the kids to bake. With pretty basic instructions, you’ll be mixing some spices into the apples, adding some gooey caramel, and creating the topping. Then into the oven it goes!

That is the beauty of a dump cake. Just enough steps to show everyone how things are done, but not enough that they will feel overwhelmed. 

This is one of those autumn desserts that is naturally vegetarian, but you can tweak it a bit in other ways to allow it to be served to the entire family.

If you are trying to make it vegan, make sure that you are using a vegan spice cake mix and consider using applesauce instead of butter. I have not tried making it this way and although it might change the topping consistency some, it should still be delicious!

This is the perfect dessert because you can find these simple ingredients at almost any grocery store. Whether it is apple season or not, you can keep the cans of apple pie filling in your cabinets so that when you’re looking for easy dessert recipes, this one is ready to go. 

Looking for more caramel apple recipes? Try my Caramel Apple Snickers Salad and my Caramel Apple Crescent Rolls!

Recipe Notes:

  • All of the ingredients for this easy apple dump cake are shelf stable other than the butter, so you can shop well before you want to make this delicious dessert and bake it as desired. 
  • Prepare to add a caramel drizzle on top of each helping. 

A serving of Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake with whipped cream on top and extra caramel on a white square plate on a red and white checkered tablecloth

How To Make Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake Recipe

Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake Ingredients:

2 cans apple pie filling 21 oz
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup salted caramel (or plain caramel) topping
1 box spice cake mix 15.25 oz
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup whole pecans

Supplies Needed:

9×13-inch baking dish
Large bowl
Nonstick cooking spray
Rubber spatula or spoon

Two cans of Lucky Leaf apple pie filling next to caramel sauce, spice cake mix, two sticks of butter, a clear bowl of pecans and spices on a white table

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.

A white bowl with apple pie filling inside and a red spatula on a white table next to a can openerStep 2: In a large mixing bowl, add each can of apple pie filling, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

A white bowl with apples and spices with a red spatula on a white table next to open spicesGently stir a few times to mix, but be careful not to break up the apples. 

A white bowl with apples, spices and caramel sauce with a red spatula on a white tableStep 3: Add the caramel sauce and stir to combine everything.

A large baking pan with the caramel apple mixture poured inside and a red spatula evening it out on a white tableStep 4: Pour your mixture into the greased casserole dish and spread it out evenly.

A large baking pan with caramel apple pie mixture topped with spice cake mix next to a measuring cup of melted butter and another of pecans on a white tableStep 5: Sprinkle the dry cake mix on top of the caramel apples mixture.

A large baking dish with caramel apple pie filling topped with dry spice cake mix and melted butter on top next to a clear bowl of pecans on a white tableStep 6: Pour the melted butter on top of the dry cake mix.

A large baking dish with a spice cake topping, melted butter and whole pecans on a white tableStep 7: Sprinkle the whole pecans all over the top of the cake mix and melted butter.

A large baking dish full of caramel apple pecan dump cake cooling on a black wire rack on a white tableStep 8: Bake for 50 minutes or until the cake turns a beautiful golden brown.

A serving of caramel apple pecan dump cake on a white square plate next to two apples and a red spoon on top of a red and white checkered tableclothStep 9: Once done, allow the cake pan to cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before serving.

This Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake is best served warm with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but this crowd pleaser will taste great at room temperature as well. Don’t forget to drizzle some extra caramel on top! Enjoy! 

How To Store Leftover Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake

Store any leftover dump cake in the baking pan under plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

A spoonful of Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake

Can I Use Fresh Apples In This Easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe?

Maybe. I prefer using canned fruit fillings here because it is an incredibly easy recipe and adding steps like peeling and cutting the apples, working with apple pie spice, and more adds additional steps.

If you want to work with a fresh apple mixture, you can, the only thing is that you will be missing some of the gooiness that the canned filling provides. That said, it will end up being a delicious cake either way, so it is really up to you. 

What Do I Do If I Can’t Find Spice Cake Mix?

This easy dump cake recipe does use spice cake mix because it has such a rich number of additional fall spices, but if you’re in a bind, you can use a different cake mix.

With the additional spices already in this recipe, if you substitute a white cake mix or yellow cake mix, you’ll still have some good flavor going.

I highly recommend trying to find the spice cake mix for this easy recipe, but it’ll still be an impressive sweet treat with an alternative box of cake mix. 

Are You Looking For More Tasty Caramel Desserts? Here Are Some Of My Favorites:

OXO Good Grips 3-piece Mixing Set, White Bowls Brown Handles, Blue/Green/YellowOXO Good Grips 3-piece Mixing Set, White Bowls Brown Handles, Blue/Green/YellowOXO Good Grips 3-piece Mixing Set, White Bowls Brown Handles, Blue/Green/YellowMixing Bowls with Airtight Lids, CHAREADA 18pcs Stainless Steel Nesting Mixing Bowls Set – Non-slip Silicone Bottom, Size 7, 5.5, 4, 3.5, 2.5, 2, 1.5 QT, Fit for Mixing & ServingMixing Bowls with Airtight Lids, CHAREADA 18pcs Stainless Steel Nesting Mixing Bowls Set – Non-slip Silicone Bottom, Size 7, 5.5, 4, 3.5, 2.5, 2, 1.5 QT, Fit for Mixing & ServingMixing Bowls with Airtight Lids, CHAREADA 18pcs Stainless Steel Nesting Mixing Bowls Set – Non-slip Silicone Bottom, Size 7, 5.5, 4, 3.5, 2.5, 2, 1.5 QT, Fit for Mixing & Serving9 Piece Silicone Spatula Set - 446°F Heat Resistant Rubber Spatula .Kitchen Spatulas.Plastic Spatula. for Cooking, Baking, Mixing. Nonstick Cookware friendly. BPA-Free,Dishwasher Safe (Mixed Colors)9 Piece Silicone Spatula Set – 446°F Heat Resistant Rubber Spatula .Kitchen Spatulas.Plastic Spatula. for Cooking, Baking, Mixing. Nonstick Cookware friendly. BPA-Free,Dishwasher Safe (Mixed Colors)9 Piece Silicone Spatula Set - 446°F Heat Resistant Rubber Spatula .Kitchen Spatulas.Plastic Spatula. for Cooking, Baking, Mixing. Nonstick Cookware friendly. BPA-Free,Dishwasher Safe (Mixed Colors)Silicone Nonstick Mixing Spoons Set 2, High Heat Resistant, Hygienic Design Cooking Baking Spoons Set for Stirring, Mixing and Serving,Red and BlackSilicone Nonstick Mixing Spoons Set 2, High Heat Resistant, Hygienic Design Cooking Baking Spoons Set for Stirring, Mixing and Serving,Red and BlackSilicone Nonstick Mixing Spoons Set 2, High Heat Resistant, Hygienic Design Cooking Baking Spoons Set for Stirring, Mixing and Serving,Red and BlackOXO Good Grips Freezer-to-Oven Safe 3 Qt Glass Baking DishOXO Good Grips Freezer-to-Oven Safe 3 Qt Glass Baking DishOXO Good Grips Freezer-to-Oven Safe 3 Qt Glass Baking DishBaking Dishes, Krokori Rectangular Bakeware Set Ceramic Baking Pan Lasagna Pans for Cooking, Kitchen, Cake Dinner, Banquet and Daily Use - 13 x 9 InchesBaking Dishes, Krokori Rectangular Bakeware Set Ceramic Baking Pan Lasagna Pans for Cooking, Kitchen, Cake Dinner, Banquet and Daily Use – 13 x 9 InchesBaking Dishes, Krokori Rectangular Bakeware Set Ceramic Baking Pan Lasagna Pans for Cooking, Kitchen, Cake Dinner, Banquet and Daily Use - 13 x 9 Inches

 

Yield: 10 servings

Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake

A serving of Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake with whipped cream on top and extra caramel on a white square plate on a red and white checkered tablecloth

This Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake is an easy dessert to make when you want a caramel apples fix! Perfect for autumn or any time of year!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Additional Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cans apple pie filling 21 oz
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup salted caramel (or plain caramel) topping
  • 1 box spice cake mix 15.25 oz
  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup whole pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish and set it aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add the apple filling, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Gently stir a few times to mix.
  3. Add the caramel sauce and stir to combine. Pour your mixture into the greased pan and spread it out evenly.
  4. Sprinkle the dry cake mix on top of the caramel apples mixture.
  5. Pour the melted butter on top of the dry cake mix.
  6. Sprinkle the whole pecans all over the top of the melted butter and cake mix.
  7. Bake for 50 minutes or until the cake turns a beautiful golden brown.
  8. Once done, allow it to cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before serving.
  9. This Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake is best served warm with whipped cream or ice cream. Enjoy! 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 453Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 488mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 2gSugar: 31gProtein: 3g

This calculation is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a doctor or dietitian. This calculator is a guide, but makes no guarantee of being exact or fully accurate.

One picture of Caramel Apple Dump Cake on a white square plate with whipped cream and extra caramel on top next to a red handled metal fork and another picture of a closeup of some cake on a spoon with caramel dripping off

3 Comments

  1. I made and enjoyed this recipe this past weekend. I didn’t have any pie filling but I had lots of apples so I peeled and sectioned apples and then sautéed them in a little butter until softened. I added all of the remaining ingredients as described (except I halved the cloves and nutmeg as I find them to be strong flavors. ) This came out beautifully at the time described. My family happily devoured almost half of the recipe within 5 minutes! Delicious! I will make this again.

  2. The smells from the oven were amazing. I put half the cloves and nutmeg, added an extra can of apple pie filling and it was a little on the dry side. Not sure why? I think it will do well with a scoop of ice cream.

    1. I’m not sure why it was dry either, but I hope it still tasted amazing! (You’re right, it is SO good with ice cream!)

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