Can I use fresh apples instead of canned apple pie filling?

Absolutely. If you want to use fresh apples, peel and slice about 5–6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great). Toss them with 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon before layering them into the crockpot. It’ll taste more homemade but still have that cozy, dump-cake ease.

Why is my dump cake still powdery on top?

This usually happens if the melted butter didn’t fully cover the cake mix. To fix this, use a spoon to gently press down the dry spots midway through cooking; or next time, drizzle the butter more evenly. If you like a crispier crust, you can remove the lid for the last 20–30 minutes of cooking to let steam escape.

Can I make this in the oven instead of a crockpot?

Yes! If you're short on time or prefer a crispier topping, bake it in a 9x13-inch baking dish at 350°F for about 40–45 minutes, until golden and bubbly. The layers will be the same, and you can serve it warm right from the pan.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store any leftover caramel apple dump cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30–45 seconds. It’s also great cold, but if you rewarm it and top it with ice cream, it basically becomes dessert royalty.

Crockpot Caramel Apple Dump Cake: A Cozy Fall Recipe

Name: Crockpot Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 (21 oz) cans apple pie filling; 1/2 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for topping); 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz); 1 cup melted butter; 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional); 1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional)

Ingredients

Scale

2 (21 oz) cans apple pie filling

1/2 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for topping)

1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)

1 cup melted butter

1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)

1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Spray the inside of your crockpot with nonstick spray or line with parchment.

2. Spread apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the crockpot.

3. Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over the apples.

4. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over the top; do not stir.

5. Drizzle melted butter over the cake mix, covering as much as possible.

6. Cover and cook on LOW for 2.5 to 3 hours until the top is set and golden.

7. Let rest 15–20 minutes before serving. Top with ice cream and extra caramel if desired.

Notes

You can use fresh apples: peel and slice 5–6 apples and toss with cinnamon and brown sugar.

Switch it up with spice cake mix or add chopped pecans or oats for texture.

Author: Chef Saly
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Category: Dessert
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 420
Sugar: 38g
Sodium: 380mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 60g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 40mg