Caramel Apple Cake

Name: Easy Caramel Apple Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
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

Caramel Apple Cake

ByBrandie Skibinski September 11, 2024October 21, 2025

6 Reviews

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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:

Can I put a frosting on this cake?

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.

What other cake mix can I use?

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.

Can I add anything else to the cake?

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.

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

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.

How to store leftover Caramel Apple Cake?

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.

A slice of Caramel Apple Cake with a bite taken out and a scoop of ice cream on top.

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

Boxed yellow cake mix, apple pie filing, eggs, cinnamon, and caramel sauce.

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.

A bowl with dry cake mix, pie filling, beaten eggs and 1/4 cup caramel topping and a bowl with Caramel Apple Cake batter.

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.

Caramel Apple Cake batter in a baking dish and a baked caramel apple cake.

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.

Caramel sauce being poured over a cake and a cake with caramel sauce soaking in it.

Slice and serve! Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you prefer.

A scoop of ice cream with caramel drizzle on top of a slice of Caramel Apple Cake.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Originally published: September 2012
Updated photos and republished: September 2024

Close up looking at a slice of Caramel Apple Cake on a dessert plate.

Easy 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!

6 Reviews

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 35

Total Time: 45

Servings:

Author: Brandie Skibinski

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.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

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.

Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @thecountrycook and mention us #thecountrycook!

This original recipe came from The Harvest Table, a Gooseberry Patch cookbook that was previously printed.

383 Comments

I just made this caramel apple cake for friends that are coming over soon…this may end up being a fave. 🙂 I also loooooove Cheesecake Sopapilla. YUM! (janineharrison79@gmail.com)

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My all time favorite dessert is strawberry cheesecake YUM!

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Follow them on Pinterest. I'm tiamimi there as well.

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my favorite dessert… wow! that is so hard. i like the better than kisses cake. thanks for the great giveaway and recipe. klistrud@gmail.com

I follow Gooseberry Patch on Pinterest.
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I am a fan of Gooseberry Patch on facebook.
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This cake looks yummy!!! My favorite desserts include about anything with chocolate and/or strawberries!
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Favorite dessert is hands down lemon meringue pie. LOVE it.

Any type of brownie, mmmm.

Oh that looks soooo good and easy…I must try it! Hmm, my favorite dessert? Well, let's see….cocoa cola cake….no wait, Raspberry Cheesecake….no wait, how about caramel cake…no wait…oh gosh, I can't pick just one!!!! :=) Cindy G

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My fav is chocolate sheet cake with cinnamon.

Anything chocolate but your oreo pudding cake is really good!

My favorite dessert is anything with Frosting!!! eatcakefordinner@digis.net

I love The Country Cook, the recipes are fantastic. My favorite dessert is Texas Sheet Cake, I love chocolate but I also love apple cakes. I want to be entered for a chance to win that cook book, I love cookbooks!!!

I don't get to do dessert too often cuz I am diabetic. BUT baking is my favorite thing to do (go figure) I love all your recipes! I enjoy watching everyone else enjoy dessert. 🙂

BREAD PUDDING

This looks like the perfect cake to bake for mom on Mother's Day!

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My favorite dessert right now is the Heavenly Oreo Dessert on my blog. I can eat the whole thing if I'd let myself. Thanks for the giveaway! I love Gooseberry Patch!

this looks like my new favorite dessert! My hubby's birthday is tomorrow and I just happen to have all the ingredients so i think i am making this! I think I will poke holes in the cake so the Carmel will penetrate… I may then top with whipped topping and some carmel and nuts…. I follow Gooseberry Patch on pinterest as well as you Brandi. thank you for sharing!
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My favorite dessert is cake. Anyway you want to fix it. lol

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My favorite dessert is my Mom's apple pie.

I love all apple desserts: pie, crisp, cobbler, dumpling, fritters, danish, bread, cake! I would love to be entered in this giveaway. I love Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, I have quite a few of them. xo

I love banana cake with a cream cheese frosting.
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I follow Gooseberry Patch on Pinterest 🙂

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I like Gooseberry Patch on Facebook 🙂

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My favourite dessert is Eton Mess – amaaazing!

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How can you pick just one favorite dessert???? In the Fall and Winter I love warm apple crisp. In the Spring and Summer, it would have to be ice cream!

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DON'T HAVE A FAVORITE LOVE ALL DESERTS. THANKS FOR THE OFFER THE COOK BOOK IS GREAT.

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Wow, that looks amazing. And I love the boxed mix and the canned pie filling!!! I love the cover of the book too, it screams "fall" to me! My favorite dessert is probably brownies, strawberry shortcake, my mom's peach custard pie, my grandma's apple dumplings…Oh I guess it's too hard to narrow it down!! Thanks for the chance, Brandie!