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Caramel Apple Cake

ByBrandie Skibinski
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!

A slice of Caramel Apple Cake.

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 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 12
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.
    A mixing bowl with dry cake mix, pie filling, beaten eggs and 1/4 cup caramel topping.
  • If using an electric or stand mixer, mix on low speed for one to 2 minutes.
    A bowl with cake mix, pie filling, beaten eggs and 1/4 cup caramel topping.
  • 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.
    Thick Caramel Apple Cake batter in a baking dish.
  • Bake for about 30-35 minutes.
    A baked yellow cake.
  • 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.
    Caramel topping being poured over a 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 Apple Cake with caramel oozing into it.
  • Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
    A scoop of ice cream with caramel drizzle on top of a slice of Caramel Apple Cake.

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

Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 394mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g

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.

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

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383 Comments

  3. yummy on both ! The recipe and cookbook look delish! I like Gooseberry Patch on FB and I pinned this. I am going to look for Gooseberry Patch on Pinterest and what is your URL on Pin?
    Thank you for the recipe and the chance to win the great cookbook! I am thrilled with both!

    Reply

  4. Yay! A new cookbook! I'd love to win a new cookbook. 🙂 My favorite dessert is probably key lime pie, though I like all sorts of cakes and creamy pies. Thanks for the contest! My email is: andrea_janicki@yahoo.com

    Reply

  5. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to win! My favorite dessert has to be dulce de leche cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory! I am following Gooseberry Patch (and you) on Pinterest!

    cbalzer0426(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  6. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to win! I love Gooseberry Patch! I am following them (and you) on Facebook!

    cbalzer0426(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  7. I love apple anything and your cake looks delicious! I also want to thank you and your crew of bloggers for featuring my Snickers Cheesecake recently. Love your recipes!

    Reply

  18. my favorite dessert has to be the cookie monster dessert you make, or your honey bun cake, or your grasshopper cake…. It is save to say if you make it, it is my favorite.
    nanny_yaya81@yahoo.com
    Amanda

    Reply

  20. The cake looks delicious. I'll have to save it to make for an autumn party. My favorite dessert is probably raspberry cheesecake

    Reply

  25. Hi! I want to enter your giveaway of "The Havest Table" by Gooseberry Patch. My favorite dessert recipe is Tiramisu…mmmm now i'm hungry for that. lol love your site and ALL the recipes you have and give on your blog. wow! thank you hugs and bless arlene Marie Pitts email: carpediem5790@yahoo.com

    Reply

  26. That cake looks delicious! I have to say my favorite dessert is Frog Eye Salad. Yum!

    Reply

  27. Followed on twitter! (I'm @DareYouToBlog) –> dareyoutoblog (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  28. Also Liked them on facebook (I'm Meredith Dare You To) – dareyoutoblog (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  29. Umm THIS might be my new favorite dessert!! Haha. I've recently come to really love apple crumbles. Also a fresh-out-of-the-oven, soft chocolate chip cookie. Can't go wrong 🙂

    Reply

  33. My all time favorite dessert is Cherry Cobbler! (Hope there's a recipe for it in the cookbook you mentioned! 🙂

    Reply

  34. Thank you for sharing this luscious looking Caramel Apple Cake! My favorite dessert of all time was a little short Black Forest Cake sold many years ago. I haven't found a picture of one like it on all the internet. It was in the shape of a ring, as though made in the bottom of a bundt pan, split, whipped cream and cherry filling to die for in between, then piped whipped cream and cherries on top. The cake showed rather than being smothered in whipped cream. Sooo yummy! I'm going to recreate it for my birthday this month and put some kirch in the cherry filling! ~Linda Sue in Walla Walla~ linda.sue@charter.net

    Reply

  41. My all time favorite dessert is my mom's homemade vanilla poundcake! YUMMY!

    kwhorton (at) bellsouth (dot) net

    Reply

  42. Wow, that looks simply delicious! I'm always on the lookout for desserts that seem special and well thought out, but in reality take only a few minutes to put together. My current favorite dessert is yet another yellow cake mix dress-up called "pumpkin dessert". I've served this nearly every year for thanksgiving, and it goes over far better than most pumpkin pie.

    Reply