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Caramel Apple Poke Cake is super simple to make. The caramel drizzle and toffee bits make it irresistible. So perfect for fall!
INTRO
THE EASIEST APPLE CAKE EVER
I love this Caramel Apple Poke Cake because it is super easy to make.
Yes, it’s easy because it uses cake mix, apple pie filling and whipped topping.
You know that I love baking from scratch, but I also believe there’s a place for quick recipes that use a few shortcuts from the store. Doctored cake mix is one of my favorite kitchen tricks, after all.
If you aren’t a fan of cake mix, pie filling or whipped topping, this might not be the recipe for you. Not to worry, though – my caramel apple cake with salted caramel frosting should be right up your alley!
As for me? I’ll continue making and enjoying this recipe as long as everyone keeps gobbling it up. Which happens every single time I make it.
HOW TO MAKE CARAMEL APPLE POKE CAKE
Caramel Apple Poke Cake starts with a vanilla cake mix (spiced cake mix would also be amazing).
Then you doctor the mix up with apple pie spice and apple pie filling. We’re going for all the cinnamon-y apple flavor in this cake!
Once you bake it up to golden perfection, poke holes all over the warm cake and drizzle it with caramel sauce. Once the cake is cooled, you top it with whipped topping, toffee bits, and more caramel sauce.
Seriously, how amazing does that sound?
Make sure you don’t skip the toffee bits on top. They really take this cake to the next level!
CAN I USE WHIPPED CREAM INSTEAD OF WHIPPED TOPPING?
I know some folks are not a fan of whipped topping and wonder if it’s possible to top Caramel Apple Poke Cake with whipped cream instead.
Short answer: Sort of.
Long answer: Whipped cream isn’t nearly as stable as whipped topping. If you want to use whipped cream instead, you have two options:
1. Use stabilized whipped cream. It will take a little more effort, but will hold up better in the long run.
2. Top the cake with your whipped cream right before serving, so the whipped cream doesn’t have time to break down.
Honestly, I find it easier to just use whipped topping, but to each their own!
I’ve made this Caramel Apple Poke Cake many, many times and every time it gets devoured so fast. Whip it up for a work potluck, a Halloween party, or just a random Tuesday night because it’s that easy!
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Caramel Apple Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix 15.25 ounces
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
- ½ cup water
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 20 ounce can apple pie filling coarsely chopped
- 1 cup caramel sauce room temperature or slightly warmed
- 8 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed
- ⅔ cup toffee bits
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the cake mix, apple pie spice, water, oil, eggs and vanilla on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Use a rubber spatula to fold in the apple pie filing.
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 28-33 minutes.
- Remove cake to a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes.
- Poke warm cake every inch or so with a straw, halfway into cake. Drizzle 3/4 cup caramel sauce over the cake, allowing it to fill in holes. Cool cake completely.
- Top cake with whipped topping, toffee bits and remaining 1/4 cup caramel sauce.
- Cover and refrigerate leftover Caramel Apple Poke cake for up to 3 days.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
All I have is a yellow box cake. Do you think that will change flavor?
Marsha-
Yellow cake mix will be totally fine. Enjoy!
-Jamie
If you don’t want to use pie filling just cut up 5 apples and cook them in a frying pan with 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup sugar stirring frequently,until apples are tender and add to mix. It turned out great.
Sounds wonderful, Jane! Thank you!
I’ve always seen videos of poke cake and never actually tried to make one! This is the perfect time to make one with this recipe and the holidays coming up!
It’s fall and apples are in season ! Disappointed to see a recipe for canned pie filling. First recipe from you I didn’t want to try.
Pamela-
As I mentioned in the post, this recipe won’t be for everyone, but I have a homemade apple cake with fresh apples coming up next week. Thanks so much for your feedback.
-Jamie
Just made this today and it turned out great!! Amazing for fall weather ;D
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Clarice. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback.
-Jamie
Looks yummy, Jamie! Poke cakes are always so delicious; love how the flavors just permeate the cake! You can’t miss with caramel apple, so this one is definitely a must for fall.
Thank you, Stephanie! xxoo
Pinned. I need a fall recipe for a party and this works.
Wonderful! I hope you enjoy it, Angela!
This looks absolutely divine, I can’t stop looking at the photos! I’m in England and it’s definitely not flip flop weather over here anymore, so I’m totally ready for cosy autumnal desserts.
I hope you enjoy it, Rosie!
I am drooling over this cake, it sounds so tasty! It sounds perfect for fall!
Thanks so much, Miranda!
This is really very special and simple at the same time. Everything about this post is so delicate and well measured, with a lot of sense for art. I am sure there is a lot of hard work behind. All the best !
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words!