Easy Salted Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg over the top of the cake mix before adding the butter. This intensifies the apple pie profile.

If the pecans are not already toasted, you can lightly toast them in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding them to the cake to bring out their natural oils and nuttiness.

Serving this cake warm is essential for the best experience. The contrast between the warm fruit and a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream is a classic pairing.

If you find the cake is browning too quickly on top before the center is set, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the final ten minutes of the baking time to ensure even cooking.

Variations

• Mixed Berry Dump Cake: Substitute the apple pie filling with a mixture of canned blueberry and cherry pie fillings. The combination of tart berries and sweet caramel creates a vibrant, colorful dessert that pairs beautifully with the buttery pecan topping.
• Chocolate Pecan Variation: Use a chocolate fudge cake mix instead of yellow cake mix. The combination of chocolate, salted caramel, and pecans creates a rich, brownie-like experience that is perfect for chocolate lovers looking for a decadent treat.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Allow to cool for 2 hours at most after baking before refrigerating.

Freezer

Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or place the entire dish in a 300°F (150°C) oven until warmed through.

Allow the cake to cool completely before covering it with plastic wrap or transferring it to an airtight container. It can be kept at room temperature for up to two days, but for longer storage, it should be kept in the refrigerator. Always ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent the crust from absorbing moisture and becoming soggy.

This dish can be assembled up to four hours before baking. Simply prepare the layers in the baking dish, cover tightly with foil, and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

When ready, remove the foil and place directly into the preheated oven. You may need to add five minutes to the total baking time if the dish is cold from the refrigerator.

Serving ideas

Serve this dessert warm directly from the baking dish. Use a large serving spoon to scoop out generous portions, ensuring each serving includes plenty of the gooey apple and caramel mixture along with the crunchy pecan topping. It is best enjoyed in small bowls or on dessert plates where the warm sauce can pool slightly around the cake.

To elevate the presentation, serve each portion with a generous dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream. The temperature contrast between the warm cake and the cold dairy creates a delightful experience.

If serving at a gathering, placing the entire baking dish on a trivet allows guests to serve themselves easily, keeping the dessert warm and inviting.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Easy Salted Caramel Apple Pecan Dump Cake

Prep 5 minCook 45 minRest 10 minTotal 1 hServes 8

Ingredients

• 2 cans apple pie filling
• 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, sliced
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread the apple pie filling evenly across the bottom. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the apple mixture and stir gently to combine the flavors.
2. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the apple and caramel layer. Do not stir the mixture; leave the dry cake mix as a uniform layer on top.
3. Arrange the thin slices of butter across the surface of the dry cake mix. Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the butter. Bake for 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling with warm caramel. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Contains: gluten, milk, tree nuts

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

420

Protein

3.5 g

Carbohydrates

62 g

Fat

18 g

Fiber

2 g

Sugar

38 g

Sodium

320 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.