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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

  1. My favorite desserts always have a bit of salty with the sweet and my current favorite is a chocolate cheesecake with salted caramel topping. So decadent and delicious.

    Reply

  6. I have to say first that your blog is just delightful!

    Now, what could be better than lemon meringue pie, unless it would be any other dessert made with lemon. Life is just so good with anything lemon!

    jhorne@ptd.net

    Reply

  13. I like good old fashioned home made warm apple pie with ice cream. I love this web site! I just found this web site on Facebook and I liked you on
    Facebook.

    Reply

  14. I have a lot of sweet teeth! LOL! Right now I think my favorite dessert is lemon pie….perhaps because i'm craving it. Normally anything chocolate will satisfy! The apple caramel cake looks so good too….ugh…too many teeth.

    Reply

  15. I already like Gooseberry and Country Cook on FB!! Love them both,,
    My favorite dessert is White Cake! Sounds boring, but a well made one, that is very moist, makes my mouth water….YUMM..I have pinned this recipe though. Looks great
    dianeevans@q.com

    Reply

  35. Hi! It looks like another great recepi ! My husband i love desserts made of apples – so im sure will give this one a try! 🙂 My personal favourite dessert ..hm so hard to choose 🙂 Tiramisu? i love it! And i would loove to learn how to make it myself!

    Reply

  36. This apple cake looks very enticing but currently our favorite is the chocolate cobbler from just a pinch. We have fallen in love, esp warm a la mode.

    Reply

  42. Hmmm . . pick my favorite dessert . . . if I had to pick one, it would be the Butterfinger Dessert. Or maybe the plain jane Chocolate Chip Cookie . . I could be on here for hours with this one! Love your blog!
    Thanks! twurm@zitomedia.net

    Reply

  47. This is the 2nd time this happened LOL. I go to FB and see a recipe I am making that same day 🙂 Having surgery tomorrow and company for Mothers Day, but on Saturday. Making this today, so I will be all ready to go. I think this may end up being my fav lol. Diabetic so I get to do dessert to often. Love the gooseberry patch cook books also. Liked on FB 🙂 Have a great Mothers Day.

    Reply