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

PIN RECIPE RECIPE CARD EMAIL RECIPE

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

Wow.. caramel & apple… two of my favorite things! loving the sound of this recipe!!
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com/

I love those Goodberry Books, my favorite are the Christmas ones. I too have a huge sweet tooth and honestly eat dessert everyday, glad I'm not the only one 🙂 I love a moist chocolate cake frosted with chocolate buttercream. But pretty much any dessert makes me happy.

I like (& love!) Gooseberry Patch at Facebook.

CONGRATS ONCE AGAIN BRANDIE!!! SOO tickled to see you made top 9!! My favorite dessert is cherry chip cheesecake bars.

Dark chocolate/raspberry cake – yummy! I love cookbooks!!

I am a follower on Pinterest

Brandie,
My favorite dessert is the Apple Walnut Cake, which I posted on your blog as a guest blogger. However, Your Caramel Apple Cake, might give mine a run for the money:)

Congrats on the Top 9 today!

I like Gooseberry Patch on Facebook.

My husband loves anything apples, so we will have to give this a try. My favorite dessert is homemade carrot cake with creamcheese frosting. However, I can't tell you how many time I have made your 7 up cake in the last couple of months. My family is in love!

WOW!!! I love gooseberry cookbooks but I hadn't seen this one yet! Just out of curiosity, did you try the final addition of the caramel "poke" style to see if it would ooze in? I just happen to have every ingredient here in my pantry this very moment… Guess what's for dessert tonight!

Congrats on Top 9!

My favorite dessert is lemon shaker pie!

juanitas_cocina@yahoo.com

I also have been following Gooseberry Patch on Facebook.

Joanna

Hi Brandie!
Thank you for another great looking recipe! I can't wait to try it! My favorite dessert is Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Icing. I would love to put the new recipe book to good use! My e-mail is – josie7250@yahoo.com.

Thanks again!
Joanna

I love strawberry refrigerator cake! It's an all time favorite! monicasmith.rlt@gmail.com

Cheesecake is a favorite of mine.
This Caramel Apple cake looks like it could be a close second!

I'm following Gooseberry Patch on Twitter…
itsoodie@centurylink.net

Hmmm My favorite dessert?….I'd have to say keep it simple….ANYTHING that contains sugar…LOL…

LOVE me a Gooseberry patch cookbook – they are so full of wonderful recipes!! Our favorite go-to dessert here is ice cream – can't help it – we love to try every new flavor out there…(:

This recipe is just what I love: easy, sounds yummy AND few ingredients! Thank you for posting.
(My favorite dessert? That's hard to nail down – guess it would have to be homemade apple pie.)
Pam Luttenberger
palutt@prodigy.net

I am following on Pinterest

I'm following on Twitter

I liked on FB

I like homemade blueberry pie!

My favorite dessert is Lemon Tart cake, I have a friend that makes it but she will NOT share her recipe and I haven't found anything that compares to it. I'd love to have this book.. I like them on Face Book,, had to block my Twitter( being harassed on it). Thanks for the recipe.. will have to make this for sure!!

My fave dessert changes with the seasons, but one that's good all year is my Oreo peanut butter pudding pie. YUM!

looks yummy!My favorite is strawberry shortcake!Simple but oh so yummy!!…hiselbobbie @yahoo .com

I also like Gooseberry Patch on facebook 🙂 Thank ya so kindly!! -Tammy

I am following Gooseberry Patch on Pinterest. -Tammy

Any pie a la mode is my favorite dessert! Found you via this recipe on Pinterest 🙂 Thanks for the recipe and also the unexpected chance to win a GP cookbook ♥ -Tammy

Oatmeal Cake

I follow GBP on Pinterest also! 🙂
angicarter92@aol.com

I follow GBP on Facebook! 🙂
angicarter92@aol.com

Recipe sounds yummy! My all-time fav dessert is anything with peanut butter! 🙂
angicarter92@aol.com

My favorite dessert is any kind of cake!

liked Gooseberry Patch on Pinterest. now I have more places to follow them!

I love Gooseberry Patch! been a fan for a long time on FB and I get their e-mail!

This cake looks great! My favorite dessert is definitely ice cream. Second favorite chocolate cake with chocolate frosting!

I don't have 1 favorite dessert. I just like any dessert! 🙂

I liked gooseberry on pinterest

I liked gooseberry on FB

To pick one favorite dessert, that is difficult for me! In the summer it would be homemade strawberry cake with homemade creme cheese icing. In the winter it would be any chocolate dessert!!

My Favorite dessert is Apple Crisp With Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. Love the look of the new book. Thank you for the chance to win it!

Hot Fudge Sundaes are my fav! I make my own sauce! GP has the sweetest books!
myboyblue11@gmail.com

I simply love dessert also, give me anything made out of chocolate and I will be a happy girl. I made a version of your apple danish today for my blog so please stop by and tell me what you think.