Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake

Introduction

Craving a dessert that screams fall but takes almost no effort to whip up? What if you could toss a few ingredients into a dish and end up with a warm, gooey cake that tastes like caramel apples and cinnamon rolls had a delicious baby? Say hello to Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake! This indulgent treat combines canned cinnamon rolls, apple pie filling, caramel sauce, and spice cake mix for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert. Ready in about an hour, it’s perfect for potlucks, holidays, or cozy nights in. Let’s grab a baking dish and dive into this sweet, sticky adventure!

Overview

Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake is a quick, no-fuss dessert that layers apple pie filling, cinnamon roll pieces, caramel sauce, and spice cake mix, topped with butter and baked to golden perfection. What makes it special? It’s a “dump” cake, meaning you just layer the ingredients and bake—no mixing required! The result is a warm, gooey dessert with flavors of caramel, apple, and cinnamon. This beginner-friendly recipe takes about 1 hour (15 minutes prep, 45 minutes baking) and serves 12, making it ideal for gatherings or family desserts.

• Time Requirement: 1 hour (15 minutes prep, 45 minutes baking)
• Difficulty Level: Super easy (perfect for beginners)
• Servings: 12

Essential Ingredients

The magic of Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake comes from its simple, store-bought ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters:

• Cooking Spray: Prevents sticking, ensuring easy serving and cleanup.
• Deluxe Cinnamon Rolls (2 cans, 17.5 oz each, quartered, icing reserved): Add soft, cinnamon-spiced dough and a sweet icing drizzle for that classic cinnamon roll flavor.
• Apple Pie Filling (2 cans, 21 oz each): Provides juicy, spiced apples as the fruity base.
• Caramel Sauce (½ cup, plus extra for drizzle): Adds rich, buttery sweetness that pairs perfectly with apples.
• Spice Cake Mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): Brings warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a cakey topping without extra work.
• Salted Butter (¾ cup, sliced): Melts into the cake mix, creating a golden, crispy top.

Substitutions and Variations

• Cinnamon Rolls: Use refrigerated biscuit dough or homemade cinnamon roll dough if preferred, but adjust baking time as needed.
• Apple Pie Filling: Swap with peach, cherry, or blueberry pie filling for a different fruit flavor. Homemade apple pie filling works too.
• Caramel Sauce: Use salted caramel sauce for a trendy twist or butterscotch sauce for a deeper flavor.
• Cake Mix: Yellow or white cake mix can replace spice cake mix, but add 1 tsp cinnamon for warmth.
• Butter: Unsalted butter works, but add a pinch of salt to the cake mix. Vegan butter can be used for a dairy-free version.
• Add-Ins: Sprinkle ½ cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or toffee bits over the cake mix for extra crunch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake is as easy as layering and baking. Follow these steps for a warm, gooey dessert:

1. Prepare the Baking Dish:
   • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
   • Tip: Use a glass or metal dish for even baking, and ensure the spray covers the sides for easy removal.
2. Layer the Apple Pie Filling:
   • Open 2 cans (21 oz each) of apple pie filling and spread them evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
   • Tip: Break up any large apple chunks with a spoon for a more even layer.
3. Add the Cinnamon Rolls:
   • Open 2 cans (17.5 oz each) of deluxe cinnamon rolls and reserve the icing packets for later.
   • Cut each roll into quarters (using a knife or kitchen scissors) and scatter the pieces evenly over the apple pie filling.
   • Tip: Spread the pieces out to avoid clumping, but don’t worry about perfection—they’ll bake together.
4. Drizzle the Caramel Sauce:
   • Pour ½ cup caramel sauce evenly over the cinnamon roll pieces, letting it seep into the gaps.
   • Tip: Warm the caramel sauce slightly if it’s too thick to drizzle easily.
5. Add the Cake Mix and Butter:
   • Sprinkle 1 box (15.25 oz) of spice cake mix evenly over the top, covering the cinnamon rolls and caramel.
   • Slice ¾ cup salted butter into thin pats and place them evenly over the cake mix, ensuring most areas have butter to melt into.
   • Tip: Space the butter slices closely to help the cake mix bake into a golden crust.
6. Bake the Dump Cake:
   • Bake for 45 minutes, until the top is deep golden brown and bubbly, and the cinnamon rolls are cooked through.
   • Check that the center is set; if it looks too soft, bake for an additional 5 minutes.
   • Place the dish on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.
   • Tip: Cover loosely with foil if the top browns too quickly.
7. Add the Finishing Touches:
   • Warm the reserved cinnamon roll icing packets in the microwave for 5–10 seconds or in a bowl of warm water.
   • Drizzle the icing over the warm dump cake, followed by an extra drizzle of caramel sauce for added decadence.
   • Tip: Use a spoon or piping bag for a neat icing drizzle.
8. Serve:
   • Scoop the warm dump cake into bowls or onto plates, ensuring each serving has apples, cinnamon rolls, and cakey topping.
   • Serve as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
   • Tip: Serve immediately for the gooiest texture, but it’s still delicious at room temperature.

Assembly

Assembling Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake is all about layering ingredients for a cohesive, flavorful dessert. Here’s how to make it look and taste amazing:

• Layer Thoughtfully: Start with a base of apple pie filling for moisture, followed by cinnamon roll pieces for texture, caramel sauce for richness, and a cake mix-butter topping for a crispy finish. The layers meld together during baking for a gooey, cohesive cake.
• Presentation Tips:
  • Serve in bowls to capture the gooey apples and caramel, or on plates for a neater presentation.
  • Garnish with a generous drizzle of caramel sauce, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or chopped nuts for extra flair.
  • Add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for a decadent touch.
  • Pair with hot coffee, cider, or a glass of milk for a cozy dessert experience.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake is best fresh but can be prepped or stored with these tips to keep it tasty:

• Make-Ahead:
  • Assemble the dump cake (up to the cake mix and butter layer) up to 4 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then bake as directed, adding 5 minutes if cold.
  • Prep ingredients (quarter cinnamon rolls, open cans) and store separately in the fridge for up to 24 hours for faster assembly.
  • Tip: Don’t add the icing or extra caramel drizzle until serving to keep it fresh.
• Storage:
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The cake may soften but remains delicious.
  • Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to restore warmth and gooeyness.
  • Tip: Add a fresh drizzle of caramel sauce after reheating to revive the flavors.
• Freezing:
  • Freeze the baked dump cake in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
  • For best results, freeze without the icing and caramel drizzle, adding them fresh after reheating.
  • Tip: Portion into smaller containers for easy thawing and serving.

Recipe Variations

Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake is versatile and fun to customize. Here are some creative twists to try:

• Pecan Caramel Apple Dump Cake: Sprinkle ½ cup chopped pecans over the cake mix before adding butter for a nutty crunch.
• Salted Caramel Pumpkin Dump Cake: Replace one can of apple pie filling with pumpkin pie filling and use salted caramel sauce for a fall twist.
• Cherry Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake: Swap apple pie filling for cherry pie filling and use a yellow cake mix for a tart-sweet flavor.
• Spiced Rum Apple Dump Cake: Add 2 tablespoons spiced rum to the apple pie filling before layering for a boozy kick.
• Gluten-Free Dump Cake: Use gluten-free cinnamon rolls (if available) or biscuit dough and a gluten-free cake mix.
• Mini Dump Cakes: Divide the ingredients into 4–6 ramekins for individual servings, reducing baking time to 25–30 minutes.

Conclusion

You’re now ready to whip up a Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake that’s as easy as it is indulgent! This 1-hour recipe is perfect for fall gatherings, holiday parties, or any time you crave a warm, gooey dessert with minimal effort. With its layers of cinnamon rolls, apples, caramel, and spiced cake, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Feel free to add nuts, swap fillings, or serve with ice cream to make it your own. Grab your baking dish, dump those ingredients, and enjoy every sticky, sweet bite. Happy baking, and savor the cozy fall flavors!

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FAQs

1. Can I use homemade cinnamon rolls instead of canned?
Yes! Use about 1 lb of homemade cinnamon roll dough, cut into pieces. Bake slightly longer (50–55 minutes) to ensure the dough cooks through.

2. Is this dessert healthy?
It’s an indulgent treat, but you can lighten it by using low-sugar apple pie filling, reducing butter to ½ cup, or serving smaller portions. Enjoy as a special treat!

3. Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free cinnamon rolls (if available) or biscuit dough and a gluten-free spice or yellow cake mix. Check that the apple pie filling is gluten-free.

4. Why is my dump cake soggy?
Too much liquid from the pie filling or uneven butter distribution can cause sogginess. Ensure the cake mix is spread evenly, and place butter slices closely together.

5. Can I use unsalted butter?
Yes, but add a pinch of salt to the cake mix to mimic the salted butter’s flavor balance.

6. How do I know when the dump cake is done?
The top should be deep golden brown and bubbly, with no wet cake mix visible. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with crumbs, not wet batter.

7. Can I prep this for a party?
Yes! Assemble up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate, then bake fresh. Or bake a day ahead, store in the fridge, and reheat before serving with fresh icing and caramel.

8. What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave individual portions for 20–30 seconds. Add a fresh drizzle of caramel and icing for the best flavor.