At Eminent Recipes, I believe cooking should bring comfort and joy to every table, even on the busiest days. This Salted Caramel Dump Cake is the perfect example—quick to prepare, family-friendly, and irresistibly delicious. With its rich caramel flavor and warm, cozy texture, it’s a recipe that feels both special and effortless. Whether you’re planning a relaxed weeknight dessert or celebrating a gathering, this simple treat delivers comfort, flavor, and happiness in every bite.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re searching for a dessert that’s both effortless and irresistible, this Salted Caramel Dump Cake will quickly become a favorite. It’s the ultimate combination of convenience and comfort, perfect for bakers of any skill level. With only a few ingredients and almost no prep work, you can create a dessert that tastes like it came from a bakery—without the stress.
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. You can enjoy it as-is for a simple weeknight indulgence or dress it up with toppings like vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even extra caramel drizzle. The sweet and salty flavor combination makes it a crowd-pleaser at family gatherings, potlucks, or holiday dinners.
This recipe also fits perfectly into a busy lifestyle. It requires minimal dishes, no complicated steps, and can be easily customized with add-ins like chocolate chips, fresh apples, or caramel bits. Whether you’re craving something cozy on a chilly evening or need a quick dessert for last-minute guests, this easy salted caramel dump cake delivers warm, gooey goodness every time.
Ingredients for This Recipe
The beauty of a Salted Caramel Dump Cake is that it requires just a handful of pantry staples, yet delivers bakery-style flavor with minimal effort. Here’s what you’ll need to make this irresistible dessert:
🛒 Ingredients:
- 2 cans (14 oz each) sweetened condensed milk (or substitute with 1 ½ cups caramel sauce)
- 1 box yellow or butter pecan cake mix (15 oz)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted or sliced into pats
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for added crunch)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt (plus more for garnish)
Each ingredient plays a key role in building the flavor and texture. The condensed milk (or caramel sauce) creates a rich, gooey base, while the cake mix adds a soft, fluffy topping with golden edges. Butter ensures everything bakes into a tender, melt-in-your-mouth treat, and the nuts bring a delightful crunch. A splash of vanilla and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt balance the sweetness perfectly.
With these simple ingredients, you’ll have everything you need to create the best salted caramel dump cake—comforting, easy, and perfect for sharing.
How to Make This Recipe
Making a Salted Caramel Dump Cake couldn’t be easier—just layer, bake, and enjoy! Here’s a simple breakdown to guide you:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This ensures your cake bakes evenly and doesn’t stick.
- Create the caramel base. Pour the sweetened condensed milk (or caramel sauce) evenly into the bottom of your dish. This rich layer will bubble up as it bakes, giving the cake its gooey texture.
- Add flavor. Stir in the vanilla extract and sprinkle half the sea salt over the caramel layer for that perfect sweet-salty balance.
- Top with cake mix. Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix right over the caramel layer—no mixing required.
- Add butter. Either drizzle melted butter across the cake mix or place thin slices evenly on top to create a golden crust.
- Optional crunch. Scatter chopped pecans or walnuts over the top for added flavor and texture.
- Bake. Place in the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Finish and serve. Sprinkle with extra coarse sea salt, let cool slightly, and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
This method guarantees an easy salted caramel dump cake that’s both foolproof and indulgent!
Expert Cooking Tips
To make your Salted Caramel Dump Cake absolutely foolproof, here are some tried-and-true tips you’ll love:
1. Layer evenly. Spread the caramel or condensed milk across the bottom of the pan in a smooth layer. This ensures every bite has that gooey sweetness.
2. Don’t stir the cake mix. Simply sprinkle it over the caramel layer. Mixing can lead to a dense texture instead of the light, crumbly topping that makes dump cakes so delicious.
3. Butter distribution matters. For the best golden crust, slice the butter into thin pats and space them evenly across the cake mix—or drizzle melted butter slowly to cover as much surface as possible.
4. Customize with add-ins. Fresh apples, caramel bits, or chocolate chips can take your cake from classic to creative. For an old-fashioned salted caramel dump cake, stick with nuts for crunch and nostalgia.
5. Bake until golden and bubbly. Every oven is different, so start checking around 40 minutes. The top should be lightly browned, and the caramel should bubble at the edges.
6. Serve warm. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream takes this easy salted caramel dump cake to the next level.
FAQs
What is the biggest mistake to avoid when making a dump cake?
The most common mistake is stirring the cake mix into the caramel layer. A dump cake works because the dry mix bakes into a golden, crumbly topping. Mixing it creates a dense, soggy dessert. Another mistake is uneven butter distribution—make sure the top is covered so no dry spots remain.
Why do they call it dump cake?
The name comes from the simple method: you “dump” the ingredients into a baking dish without mixing. It’s one of the easiest desserts to make, perfect for busy home cooks who still want a warm, homemade treat.
What is a dump cake made of?
A classic dump cake uses a cake mix, butter, and fruit or a sweet filling. For this recipe, we use caramel (or sweetened condensed milk), yellow cake mix, and butter. Optional add-ins like pecans, apples, or chocolate chips make it customizable.
What toppings go well with salted caramel?
This Salted Caramel Dump Cake is delicious on its own, but toppings make it shine. Try vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, an extra drizzle of caramel sauce, or even a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for added contrast.
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This Salted Caramel Dump Cake proves that dessert doesn’t have to be complicated to be unforgettable. With just a few pantry staples, you can create a sweet, gooey, and perfectly balanced treat that works for weeknights, family gatherings, or even holiday celebrations. The combination of rich caramel, buttery cake, and a touch of sea salt makes it both comforting and indulgent—exactly the kind of dessert people will ask you to make again and again.
Whether you keep it classic or add your own twist with nuts, chocolate chips, or fresh apples, this cake is endlessly customizable. It’s one of those recipes you’ll keep coming back to because it delivers big flavor with almost no effort.
So the next time you need a foolproof dessert, skip the stress and whip up the best salted caramel dump cake—warm, easy, and guaranteed to bring smiles to the table.
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Salted Caramel Dump Cake
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This dump cake combines buttery yellow cake mix, gooey caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a dessert that’s sweet, salty, and utterly irresistible. It’s like a caramel cobbler with a golden crust—easy enough for weeknights but decadent enough for holidays.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients:
2 cans (14 oz each) sweetened condensed milk (or 1 ½ cups caramel sauce)
1 box yellow or butter pecan cake mix (15 oz)
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted or sliced
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon coarse sea salt (plus more for garnish)
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Caramel Base: Pour sweetened condensed milk into a saucepan and simmer gently for 20–25 minutes, stirring often, until thickened and golden (or use premade caramel sauce for speed). Spread caramel evenly in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Add Cake Mix: Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over the caramel layer. Do not stir.
- Top with Butter & Nuts: Drizzle melted butter (or dot with butter slices) evenly over the cake mix. Sprinkle with pecans and a pinch of sea salt.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and bubbly.
- Finish & Serve: Cool slightly, then drizzle with extra caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- Shortcut Caramel: Use 1 ½ cups jarred caramel sauce to skip the stovetop step.
- Sweet-Salty Boost: Add pretzel pieces on top before baking for crunch and extra saltiness.
- Flavor Twist: Try chocolate cake mix instead of yellow for a salted caramel brownie-style dump cake.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American