Caramel Apple Poke Cake is an easy to make, decadent cake that is perfect for a potluck, office party, or a picnic! This delicious caramel apple potluck cake will impress your friends and satisfy any sweet tooth!
Caramel Apple Poke Cake
Magical things can happen when you start with a boxed cake mix! I have had dozens of variations of doctored-up cake mixes in my life, and I decided to start sharing them.
This one happens to be a new recipe!
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.
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.
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Use the entire bottle of caramel sauce topping. Make sure it is spread evenly, and that some 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 online, here is the one I use from Ghirardelli® (affiliate).
Some people like this caramel sauce from Starbucks® (affiliate).
A simple whipped cream topping is all this Caramel Apple Poke Cake needs! Perfectly light and creamy, and just a little sweet. 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!
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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 is an easy to make, decadent cake that is perfect for a potluck, office party, or a picnic!
- 3 lg Eggs
- 1 (21 oz) can Apple Pie Filling
- ½ tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 ½ tsp Cinnamon
- ½ tsp Nutmeg
- 1 Yellow Cake Mix
- 1 (17 oz) bottle Caramel Topping (I like Ghirardelli®)
- 1 ½ cups Heavy Whipping Cream
- ¾ cup Powdered Sugar
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Heat oven to 350° F.
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Butter a 9"x13" baking dish.
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In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs. Then add the apple pie filling, vanilla, and the spices. Mix well.
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Add the cake mix and mix very well.
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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.
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Let the cake cool in the baking dish, on a rack.
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Using a straw, or something the same size, poke holes in the cake about every 2 inches or so.
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Pour the caramel topping evenly over the cake, making sure some gets down into the holes.
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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.
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Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix on medium speed to incorporate. Don't overbeat the cream or you will have butter!
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Spread the frosting over the cake and sprinkle with a little cinnamon.
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Keep refrigerated until 15 minutes or so before serving.
The bottom of the cake will be moist with the caramel sauce. This is the nature of this cake. Gooey and caramely and appley. Yummy!
RESOURCES TO MAKE this recipe and more
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Rachel
Yummy! I made this for our family BBQ and everyone loved it! I like easy recipes!
Sandy
Me too, Rachel! I'm glad you and your family enjoyed this cake!