Description
Sweet apple orchards inspired this effortless caramel apple dump cake, delivering comfort straight from Midwestern kitchens. Gooey caramel and tender apples create a simple dessert that melts in your mouth, beckoning you to savor each delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large apples
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup caramel sauce
Fruit and Spices:
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Topping and Extras:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Core and slice the apples into thin, uniform wedges, ensuring even distribution across the baking dish.
- Sprinkle ground cinnamon and nutmeg over the apple slices, creating a fragrant spice layer that will enhance the fruit’s natural sweetness.
- Drizzle half of the caramel sauce directly over the seasoned apple slices, allowing it to pool and coat the fruit.
- Evenly spread the dry yellow cake mix across the entire surface of the apples, creating a complete covering without mixing.
- Melt the unsalted butter and combine it with brown sugar, whisking until smooth and well-integrated.
- Pour the butter-sugar mixture slowly and evenly over the cake mix, ensuring complete coverage and allowing it to seep into the dry ingredients.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans across the top, providing a crunchy textural contrast to the soft cake and apples.
- Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the entire surface, creating beautiful golden swirls.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the edges are bubbling with caramelized juices.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes before serving to allow the cake to set and flavors to meld together.
Notes
- Slice apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dessert.
- Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and more even distribution in the cake mix layer.
- Choose firmer apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for better structural integrity and balanced sweetness.
- Consider reducing sugar for a less sweet version by using tart apples and minimal caramel drizzle.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg