Caramel Apple Cake
This easy Caramel Apple Cake starts off with a boxed cake mix and is jazzed up with apple pie filling, cinnamon and caramel sauce!
A SIMPLE FALL-INSPIRED CAKE RECIPE
Nothing makes me happier than when fall comes around and I can start really enjoying all the apple things! Now, of course you can enjoy these things anytime of year but there is just something special when the weather starts to get a chill in the air and you can turn on your oven without heating up the entire house like in summertime. This simple Caramel Apple Cake tastes like autumn in cake form. You can literally whip it up in minutes!
Easy and so delicious! The caramel sauce poured over the cake makes it so moist! Thanks for posting.
– JoAnn
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
As you can see in the images, this cake is phenomenal with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and even more caramel drizzled on top. But if you prefer a some sort of frosting on your cake, just combine a tub of thawed whipped topping (Cool Whip) with the caramel sauce and spread it on the cake. Or you can spread Cool Whip on top of the caramel layer and then maybe sprinkle some Heath Bits on top of that or drizzle with a bit more caramel.
This can be done with a spice cake mix as well. It’s really versatile and depends on the flavor profile you enjoy. Vanilla cake mix would also work.
Sure, if you like some nutty crunch surprises, you could add some chopped up nuts to the cake batter. You could could also make a cinnamon sugar crumb topping and sprinkle some on top of the cake batter for even more flavor and a bit of change in texture as it bakes.
Yes, fresh apples can be used over apple pie filling, but they aren’t as gooey as the filling so you may need to adjust the batter a bit. If this is the route you want to go, I would suggest making my Upside Down Apple Cake. You may even be able to try my Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze.
Any leftover cake should be wrapped in plastic, or stored in an airtight container and can be kept for up to 3-4 days. You can freeze this cake for up to 3 months.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- yellow cake mix– you can grab a boxed mix or make your own homemade yellow cake mix if you’re out. You can also use a spice cake mix depending on the level of spices you prefer.
- apple pie filling – you can use store bought to make your own.
- ground cinnamon– The ground cinnamon was not in the original recipe for this cake. I added it because I just love the flavors of apple and cinnamon together.
- eggs
- caramel ice cream topping
HOW TO MAKE THIS EASY CARAMEL APPLE CAKE:
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray (I like the kind that has flour in it). In a medium bowl, combine dry cake mix, pie filling, beaten eggs, 1/4 cup caramel topping and cinnamon. If using an electric or stand mixer, mix on low speed for one to 2 minutes. If you want larger pieces of apple in your cake, be careful not to mix too vigorously or the apples will break up fairly small like mine did here. Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Batter will be thick.
Bake for about 30-35 minutes. Keep in mind oven times do vary but your cake should be golden and bounce back to the touch. And if you insert a toothpick or a butter knife in the center, it should come out clean and dry.
Remove cake from oven and pour remaining caramel topping over warm cake. Some of the caramel topping will go over the sides as you spread it out. Don’t worry. All of it is just going to add to the moistness of this cake. The warm cake is going to absorb most of the sauce as it begins to cool.
Slice and serve! Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you prefer.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
- Crock Pot Caramel Apple Dip
- Apple Pie Poke Cake
- Fried Apple Pies
- Irish Apple Cake
- Apple Coffee Cake
- Apple Dapple Cake
- No Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake
- Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze
- Apple Pretzel Dessert
- Apple Pie Dip
- Mama’s Sweet Potato Cake with Marshmallow Frosting
- Pistachio Cake
- Italian Love Cake
- Southern Caramel Cake
- Chocolate Sheet Cake
Originally published: September 2012
Updated photos and republished: September 2024
Easy Caramel Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix (or spice cake mix)
- 21 ounce can apple pie filling
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 12 ounce jar caramel ice cream topping, divided use
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray (I like the kind that has flour in it).
- In a medium bowl, combine 1 box yellow cake mix, 21 ounce can apple pie filling, 2 large eggs, beaten, 1/4 cup caramel topping and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.
- If using an electric or stand mixer, mix on low speed for one to 2 minutes.
- If you want larger pieces of apple in your cake, be careful not to mix too vigorously or the apples will break up fairly small. Batter will be thick.
- Pour batter into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes.
- Keep in mind oven times do vary but your cake should be golden and bounce back to the touch.
- Remove cake from oven and pour remaining caramel topping over warm cake.
- Some of the caramel topping will go over the sides as you spread it out. Don't worry. All of it is just going to add to the moistness of this cake.
- The warm cake is going to absorb most of the sauce as it begins to cool.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
This original recipe came from The Harvest Table, a Gooseberry Patch cookbook that was previously printed.
Easy and so delicious! The caramel sauce poured over the cake makes it so moist! Thanks for posting.
Fantastic as Gluten Free! I used 1 box of Pillsbury Yellow Cake Mix and added 2T of butter and 2T of milk since GF cakes tend to take a bit more fat. I baked it in a 9″ square pan for 48 mins and it was amazing!
How long should I keep in if I want to make like cupcakes
I made this and it was amazing. It inspired me to try other flavors and fruit, so I used a strawberry cake mix, bananas, and jar of strawberry pie filling. It didn't use the whole jar of caramel on top, about 1/2. I used whip cream on top. It tasted like a strawberry banana smoothie but in cake form. Super yummy!
i pinned it to my "happy Fall Y'all" board. can't wait to make it.
I made this tonight for a quick dessert. I used a spice cake mix, it was wonderful! Thank you for a easy, yummy dessert!
I made this a few months ago and it was such a big hit. It's so quick and easy I dont mind making it at all. I will bring this to every potluck from now on. 🙂
Thanks a bunch for posting this.
SO happy you enjoy this one!! Thank you for coming back to let me know!
I'm Annette and I love Gooseberry Patch cookbooks. I'd have to say my favorite is my made from scratch Italian Cream cake and my made from scratch Cream Puffs (sorry, I couldn't choose between the two). I would love to win this cookbook. Thanks for the opportunity. I can be reached at: sac0902@bellsouth.net
I just made this and it was so easy to put together. Hubby and I just had a piece after the cake had been out of the oven for about an hour. It was delicious!! Next time I will pole holes in cake before pouring on the caramel syrup and when cool top it with a layer of cool whip and some nuts.
This carmel apple cake sounds delicious!!! But I must speak to your nail polish! Go have them done by someone who uses Shelac. This polish will stay on for several weeks WOTHOUT chipping…. I use it all the time!
Dessert is my favorite dessert! It's too difficult to choose! Brownies, cheesecake, cake, ice cream, cookies…oh MY! You and Gooseberry Patch are my (new) favorite sources of recipes now!
My favorite dessert is "Better than anything cake".
My all time favorite dessert is Strawberry Short cake using my Aunts milk cake recipe. YUMMMMY!
My new favorite dessert is a Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake that is simply delicious. Thanks, Debbie. Muertwins@aol.com.
My favorite dessert. Anything chocolate of course. But then, there's peanutbutter. Peanutbutter cake – yum! And if you have chocolate and peanutbutter – YES! Now I'm making myself hungry. 🙂
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cherry pie is my favorite
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Oh I am a banana pudding girl but this cake looks super! I can't wait to make it. And I liked their facebook page!!! Thanks for the giveaway!
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-Jill
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I follow Gooseberry Patch on Twitter
-Jill
luvcooking2 at yahoo dot com
I follow Gooseberry Patch on FB
-Jill
luvcooking2 at yahoo dot com
Years ago I would have said "anything chocolate" lol but now, I love a good apple pie!
– Jill
luvcooking2 at yahoo dot com
So many choices… I think pumpkin gobbs. But chocolate cheesecake is a close second!
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My favorite desert is snickerdoodle blondies
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