This Crockpot Caramel Apple Dump Cake recipe is a simple yet delicious dessert that’s perfect for fall. Requiring minimal effort and just a handful of ingredients, it’s a “dump and go” recipe that yields a warm, gooey, caramel-y treat the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Easy Preparation: This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prep. Just dump the ingredients in the crockpot and let it cook.
- Fall Flavors: The combination of apple pie filling, spice cake, and caramel creates a warm, comforting, and perfectly seasonal dessert.
- Versatile: You can easily customize the ingredients and toppings to suit your taste preferences.
- Crowd-Pleasing: This dessert is always a hit, and no one needs to know how easy it is to make.
Origin
Dump cakes are known for their simplicity, where you literally “dump” all the ingredients into a pan and bake1. This version elevates the concept by utilizing a slow cooker.
Interesting Facts
- This is a great recipe to get started with crockpot desserts1.
- Dump cakes are very customizable, so you can play around with different flavor combinations.
Ingredients
- 1 (20 oz) can apple pie filling
- ½ cup chopped pecans, plus more for serving
- ½ cup jarred caramel ice cream topping, plus more for serving
- 1 (15.25 oz) box spice cake mix (dry, not prepared)
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, cubed
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Health Benefits of Key Ingredients
While this is a dessert, some of the ingredients offer nutritional benefits:
- Apples: Apples provide fiber.
- Pecans: Pecans contain healthy fats.
Method of Preparation
- Prep: Grease your crockpot with cooking spray.
- Dump and Spread: Dump in apple pie filling and spread with a spatula to evenly cover the bottom. Top with pecans and then caramel.
- Add Cake Mix: Pour in cake mix and use your hands to spread it out evenly and gently press it down.
- Top with Butter: Top with cubed butter.
- Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours (5 was perfect in testing), or until the cake is cooked to your liking.
- Serve: Scoop and serve with vanilla ice cream and an extra sprinkle of pecans and drizzle of caramel.
Cooking Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t overcook: Check the cake regularly to ensure it doesn’t become too dry. Cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker.
- Even Butter Distribution: Make sure the butter is evenly distributed over the cake mix to ensure even cooking and a moist cake.
- Lid Management: Avoid lifting the lid too often, as it releases heat and extends the cooking time.
Serving Tips
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Drizzle extra caramel sauce and sprinkle pecans on top.
- Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.
Summarized Recipe
Description: An incredibly easy crockpot dessert with apple pie filling, spice cake mix, caramel, and pecans.
Ingredients:
- Apple pie filling
- Pecans
- Caramel topping
- Spice cake mix
