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Easy Salted Caramel Apple Cake Recipe

Easy Salted Caramel Apple Cake

A soft apple cake made with boxed cake mix and apple pie filling, finished with warm caramel sauce and flaky sea salt. It is a quick, comforting dessert with minimal preparation.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 1 15.25-ounce box Yellow or spice cake mix
  • 1 20-21 ounce can Apple pie filling
  • 3 Large eggs
  • 1/2 cup Neutral vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup Chopped pecans or walnuts
Topping
  • 1 cup Prepared caramel sauce or caramel ice-cream topping
  • 1/2 teaspoon, plus more to taste Flaky sea salt

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan, or use a greased Bundt pan if preferred.
  2. Roughly chop the apple pieces in the pie filling so they are distributed evenly throughout the cake.
  3. Combine the cake mix, apple pie filling, eggs, vegetable oil, and cinnamon. Stir just until no dry cake mix remains, taking care not to overmix.
  4. Fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts if using, then spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
  5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
  6. Cool the cake for at least 15 minutes. Warm the caramel sauce briefly so it pours easily, drizzle it over the cake, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Notes

Do not add the water or milk listed on the cake-mix box because the apple pie filling supplies much of the moisture. Use flaky sea salt for the best texture and flavor. Store covered and serve slightly warm with vanilla ice cream.