This Caramel Apple Poke Cake is easy to make, but so delicious! Try not to eat the whole pan. This caramel poke cake recipe is going to be your new go to dessert for family get togethers.
This Caramel Apple Poke Cake is the perfect fall dessert. It’s so easy to make and will be a huge hit with everyone you serve it to.
I made this carmel apple poke cake today. It was a great cake. Everyone loved it! The guys couldn’t quit eating it. They each ate 3 or 4 pieces. My son came home and ate the rest of it. Glad I grabbed 1 piece before it vanished!!
How to make Caramel Apple Poke Cake
This is a brief overview to show you how perfectly simple this recipe is. For the full recipe with all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Bake the cake. You will use everything the box of cake mix calls for and you will also add in some vanilla extract and apple pie filling.
- Poke holes in the cake. It works best if you let the cake cool for about 10 minutes and then add the holes.
- Pour caramel over the cake. Do your best to get some caramel in each of the holes.
- Refrigerate the cake overnight. This will allow the caramel to soak into the cake completely.
- Serve the cake. Before serving, add some whipped topping and toffee bits.
Apple Pie Filling
We are using canned apple pie filling in this super easy recipe, but it works perfectly well to use my homemade apple pie filling recipe in place of the can. You will want to cut up the apple pieces small when making it for this cake. The recipe will make four cups, but you will only need to use two. The rest would be great with a spoon.
Apple Pie Filling
Stabilized Whipped Cream
If you want to make the whipped topping from scratch, I recommend using my recipe for stabilized whipped cream. Regular whipped cream is amazing, but it doesn’t work great for frosting because it wilts relatively quickly. Stabilized whipped cream does not. My homemade recipe is the perfect amount to frost this cake.
Stabilized Whipped Cream
Topping the Cake
I love adding toffee bits to the top of this cake. It’s like a broken up heath bar. That being said, if you can’t find them there are so many great things you can top this cake with. You can leave it just as whipped topping, drizzle more caramel over it, or add some mini chocolate chips.
Toffee Bits
Storing
Store this delicious cake in the refrigerator for up to five days. While this cake is best when it is eaten fresh, you can freeze it as a whole cake or as pieces. I would suggest freezing the cake unfrosted. As with all recipes, use your best discretion.
Other Great Poke Cakes
- Pina Colada Poke Cake
- Candy Cork Poke Cake
- Caramel Zucchini Poke Cake
If you make this delicious poke cake recipe, leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
Caramel Apple Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 13.25 ounces white cake mix plus what it takes to make it (see note)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 21 oz can apple pie filling (read above about using my homemade apple pie filling)
- 12 oz caramel sauce
- 8 oz whipped topping
- 1 cup toffee bits found in the baking aisle near the chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9 by 13 inch pan, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix and cinnamon. Mix in what the cake mix calls for (see note regarding adding oil) and vanilla extract.
- With the apples still in their can, stick a knife in the can and cut up the apples making them smaller chunks. Then add the whole can to the cake mix.
- Pour the batter into the greased pan. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Let the cake stand for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then poke holes with the bottom of a wooden spoon throughout the cake, about an inch to two inches apart.
- Warm the caramel sauce in the microwave so that it is easier to pour. Pour over the cake into the holes, making sure some sauce gets into each hole.
- Refrigerate overnight. Before serving, top with whipped topping and toffee bits.
Notes
EL Mehdi says
Do you have any tips that could help me make a homemade caramel sauce?
Check out the caramel sauce I make in my Caramel Apple Cobbler!
Barb says
I made this carmel apple poke cake today. It was a great cake. Everyone loved it! The guys couldn’t quit eating it. They each ate 3 or 4 pieces. My son came home and ate the rest of it. Glad I grabbed 1 piece before it vanished!!
So happy everyone liked it Barb!
Shirley says
Anyone try this with a spice cake mix?! Might be good!
Ema says
i would very much appreciate it if you wouldn’t us boxed cake mix
Hi Ema. My apologies. The good news is there are lots of recipes to pick from on my site that don’t use a box mix. You might enjoy this Apple Cake. Have a great day!
Mike says
In order to cut down on the sweetness, I used chopped peanuts instead. Turned out great!! Hard to stop eating it 😋
Eleni says
Can I use yellow cake mix?
You can! It will have a little different flavor, but will still be delicious!
Marie says
We have a pot luck dinner this coming Thursday I’m going to make this cake I’ll let you know how it turns out
I hope you (and everyone else) enjoys it, Marie!
Cydney Coil says
If I was to substitute fresh apples instead of pie filling, would I need to add anything else?
You could use my apple pie filling recipe!
Mel says
Is it still tasty if u don’t let it set over night ?
Yes, it will still be delicious!
Anita says
It sure looks good! Can’t wait to try it !!
I hope you enjoy it!