This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Caramel Apple Poke Cake is an easy to make, decadent apple cake recipe that is perfect for a potluck, office party, or a picnic! This delicious caramel apple dessert will impress your friends and satisfy any sweet tooth!
Caramel Apple Poke Cake
If you like caramel apples, you will love this cake! It is a little gooey, and has a creamy whipped cream frosting that complements the flavor.
Magical things can happen when you start with a boxed cake mix! I have had many variations of doctored-up boxed cake mixes in my life, and I like sharing them.
What is a Poke Cake?
A poke cake is a baked cake that small holes are poked into so that a sauce of some kind can be poured over, filling the holes with that flavor. Then the cake is frosted.
The cake should be a dark golden brown when cooked. If the cake is not cooked all the way it will fall in the center.
Can I Skip the Caramel Layer?
What?! Just kidding! Of course you can. This is still a delicious and easy apple cake. You don’t even have to frost it if you don’t want to, but the frosting is so good!
Use a straw or similar shaped tool to poke the holes in the cake. Just make the holes about 1.5″-2″ apart.
This post contains Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Use the entire bottle of caramel sauce topping. Make sure to it over spread evenly, and that some caramel gets down into those holes!
Where Can I Find a Good Caramel Sauce?
I have found it at the grocery store, often near the ice cream section. There are usually two or more brands to choose from. Look for a sauce that is pourable.
If you want to order some online, here is the one I use from Ghirardelli® (affiliate).
Some people like this caramel sauce from Torani® (affiliate).
A simple whipped cream topping is all this Caramel Apple Poke Cake needs! Perfectly light and creamy, and just a little sweet.
Use freshly whipped cream or use Cool Whip® as a short cut, if you like.
As you can see, there is some of the caramel sauce in the bottom of the dish. That is normal, and part of the decadence of this Caramel Apple Poke Cake!
Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake
Fresh Plum Cake
Incredible Banana Cake
Peach Upside Down Cake
If you make this yummy caramel apple potluck cake, please leave me a comment below and let me know how you liked it!
Caramel Apple Poke Cake
Equipment
- Mixing Bowels
- Straw or Small Wood Dowel (for poking holes)
Ingredients
- 3 lg Eggs
- 1 (21 oz) can Apple Pie Filling
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1 Yellow Cake Mix
Caramel Topping
- 1 (17 oz) bottle Caramel Topping (I like Ghirardelli®)
Frosting
- 1 ½ cups Heavy Whipping Cream
- ¾ cup Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350° F.
- Butter a 9"x13" baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs. Then add the apple pie filling, vanilla, and the spices. Mix well.
- Add the cake mix and mix very well.
- Pour the batter into the buttered baking dish and spread to even out. Bake at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes, until the top is a dark golden brown. If you underbake it, the cake will fall in the center.
- Let the cake cool in the baking dish, on a rack.
Caramel Topping
- Using a straw, or something the same size, poke holes in the cake about every 2 inches or so.
- Pour the caramel topping evenly over the cake, making sure some gets down into the holes.
Whipped Cream Frosting
- In a mixing bowl, pour in the heavy cream and beat it, starting on medium speed for a couple of minutes, then on high, until stiff peaks start to form.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix on medium speed to incorporate. Don't overbeat the cream or you will have butter!
- Spread the frosting over the cake and sprinkle with a little cinnamon.
- Keep refrigerated until 15 minutes or so before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yummy! I made this for our family BBQ and everyone loved it! I like easy recipes!
Me too, Rachel! I’m glad you and your family enjoyed this cake!