This easy slow-cooker dessert is perfect year-round. Soft, cinnamon-spiced apples tucked under a buttery cake topping become an irresistible treat — especially when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of extra caramel.
❤️ Why you’ll love it
- Super simple: just three main ingredients and minimal prep.
- Gooey caramel apple filling beneath a tender, buttery cake topping.
- Made in the slow cooker so you can set it and forget it — great for potlucks, holidays, or easy weeknight desserts.
Dump cakes are popular because they’re fast and forgiving. For this caramel apple version, you layer apple pie filling, sprinkle dry cake mix over it, and pour melted butter on top. No mixing bowls or electric mixers required. The slow cooker keeps the apples meltingly soft while the cake develops a golden, slightly crisp top.
🧾 Ingredients
Overview of what you’ll need. Exact measurements appear in the recipe card near the bottom of the page.
🔪 Instructions (overview)
Quick summary — full step-by-step instructions with measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Grease the slow cooker and add the caramel apple pie filling in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the dry yellow (butter) cake mix over the apples.
- Pour melted butter evenly across the top so the mix soaks slightly.
- Cover and cook on low until the cake is set and the apples are tender, then serve warm.
🥫 Storage
This slow-cooker caramel apple dump cake stores easily. Allow leftovers to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate up to four days. Reheat single portions in the microwave, or warm the whole batch in a low oven until heated through.
To freeze, wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and place in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving. Texture is best when served warm with ice cream.
📖 Variations
Change up flavors and textures easily:
- Use a different boxed cake mix — vanilla, spice, or even white cake work well.
- Swap the apple filling for pineapple, cherry, or blueberry pie filling for a different fruit dump cake.
- Add toppings: chopped nuts, oats, cinnamon sugar, caramel bits, or white chocolate chips before serving for extra crunch and flavor.
💭 Things to know
Expert tip: Check doneness with a toothpick in the center. A few moist crumbs are fine — the apples underneath will be saucy. If the toothpick shows wet batter, continue cooking.
- Keep the lid closed as much as possible while cooking to maintain temperature.
- Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray before adding the apples to make cleanup easier.
- For a crisper top, you can transfer the finished cake to a shallow baking dish and broil briefly, watching closely so it doesn’t burn.
👩🍳 FAQs
Yes. Fresh apples tossed with sugar, cinnamon, and a little lemon juice make a delicious, more natural filling. Cook them slightly or use a thicker pie-style filling so the dessert doesn’t get too runny.
Can I bake this faster in the oven?
Yes. Assemble the layers in a baking dish and bake at the temperature recommended on the boxed cake mix (typically 350°F) for about 45–55 minutes, or until the top is set and golden.
Should I add eggs or other ingredients to the boxed cake mix?
No. For a true dump cake, layer the dry cake mix over the fruit and pour melted butter on top. The butter hydrates the mix and creates the cake-like topping while it cooks.
📚 Related recipes
- Southern Peach Dump Cake — a boozy, nut-studded variation.
- Dutch Apple Pie — classic baked apple pie with a tender crust.
- Swedish Apple Pie — tangy apples with a crumbly streusel topping.
- Bourbon Apple Pandowdy — skillet-baked, rustic apple dessert with a caramelized crust.
🍽️ Serve with…
- Homemade French vanilla ice cream or vanilla gelato
- Whipped cream or faux Devonshire cream
- An apple-cider-based cocktail or warm spiced cider
📞 The last word
Serve this warm dump cake with a scoop of cinnamon gelato or vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of caramel. It’s an effortless dessert that tastes like a classic home-baked favorite, and it scales easily for a crowd. If you enjoy simple, comforting desserts, this slow-cooker caramel apple dump cake is likely to become a go-to.
📖 Recipe
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Crockpot caramel apple dump cake made with just three main ingredients — apple pie filling, boxed cake mix, and melted butter. No mixing required. Serves 8.
Cuisine: American – Vintage
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 442 (approx.)
Author: Marye Audet-White
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces butter cake mix (one box)
- ½ cup (8 tablespoons) butter, melted
- 40 ounces caramel apple pie filling (two 20‑ounce cans)
Instructions
- Spray the inside of a 6–8 quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add the caramel apple pie filling and spread it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the apples. Do not add the water, eggs, or oil called for on the cake mix box.
- Carefully pour the melted butter over the surface of the cake mix. Try to distribute it so the mix soaks slightly and forms pockets of butter that will create a tender top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or until the topping is set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Optional: sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before serving.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Storage: Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate up to four days in an airtight container. Freeze portions up to three months; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tips:
- Doneness is best judged with a toothpick: moist crumbs are fine, but avoid wet batter.
- Keep the slow-cooker lid closed while cooking to hold temperature and steam.
- Lightly spray the insert for easy cleanup.
Nutrition (estimated)
Calories: 442 | Carbohydrates: 82 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 13 g | Sugar: 43 g (per serving, approximate)
Recipe tested multiple times. If you change ingredients or technique, results may vary.