Caramel Apple Poke Cake: A Fall Favorite That’s Irresistibly Sweet and Comforting
Caramel Apple Poke Cake is the ultimate dessert to bring the flavors of fall into your home. This easy-to-make cake is bursting with the comforting tastes of warm apple pie, silky caramel, and a delightful crunch of toffee bits. The rich, moist cake gets its unique texture from the caramel sauce that fills the poked holes, making every bite an indulgent treat. Perfect for family gatherings, holiday dinners, or simply as a sweet snack, this cake will quickly become a fall staple in your dessert repertoire. The combination of flavors and textures—from the apple pie filling and the smooth whipped topping to the gooey caramel drizzle—makes this poke cake a crowd-pleaser that you’ll be asked to make over and over again.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 33 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 48 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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 the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch cake pan by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray. This step ensures that the cake will come out easily once baked, preventing any sticky or burnt edges.
Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, apple pie spice, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients together on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and well-combined. The apple pie spice adds a warm, aromatic flavor that will make your kitchen smell like fall as soon as you start mixing. The vanilla extract enhances the sweetness and depth of flavor, rounding out the cake’s base.
Incorporate the Apple Pie Filling: Once the cake batter is smooth, use a rubber spatula to gently fold in the coarsely chopped apple pie filling. The apple pie filling is the star of this recipe, providing juicy apple chunks and a cinnamon-sugar coating that will infuse the cake with an irresistible flavor. The chunks of apple add moisture and texture, making the cake even more delicious.
Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared 9×13-inch pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 28-33 minutes. The cake is ready when it turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The aroma wafting through your kitchen will make it hard to wait, but trust the process and let the cake cool slightly before moving on to the next step.
Poke the Cake: Once the cake is out of the oven, place it on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. After the cake has cooled slightly, it’s time for the fun part—poking! Use a straw to gently poke holes in the cake every inch or so, making sure to push the straw halfway into the cake. These holes are where the caramel sauce will seep in, giving the cake its signature gooey texture. The warm cake will absorb the caramel sauce beautifully, enhancing its flavor and making every bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: Now, take ¾ cup of the caramel sauce and drizzle it generously over the cake. The sauce will fill the holes you’ve made, soaking into the cake and creating a moist, flavorful interior. You’ll want to be generous with the caramel sauce here—this is the key to making the cake extra indulgent. If your caramel sauce is cold, you can warm it slightly in the microwave or over low heat on the stove to make it easier to drizzle.
Cool the Cake: Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack. The caramel sauce needs time to settle and soak in, and the cake will firm up as it cools, making it easier to slice and serve. As the cake cools, the caramel sauce will become perfectly absorbed into the cake, leaving you with a rich, sweet, and moist texture.
Top with Whipped Topping and Toffee Bits: Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the thawed whipped topping over the entire surface. The whipped topping adds a light, creamy texture that contrasts beautifully with the dense cake and the gooey caramel. For added crunch and sweetness, sprinkle the toffee bits over the whipped topping. The toffee bits will melt slightly into the topping, giving a wonderful caramelized crunch that complements the softness of the cake and the smoothness of the whipped topping.
Drizzle with More Caramel: Finally, drizzle the remaining ¼ cup of caramel sauce over the top of the cake, adding a glossy finish and a bit of extra sweetness. The caramel will create beautiful swirls over the whipped topping, making the cake look as irresistible as it tastes.
Serve and Enjoy: Once the cake is complete, it’s ready to be served. Slice it into 16 generous pieces, making sure each slice has a good amount of caramel and toffee bits on top. This cake is best served chilled, so refrigerate any leftovers and enjoy the sweet, comforting flavors for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Cake Mix Substitute: If you prefer, you can make your own homemade vanilla cake instead of using a store-bought mix. This will give you a more personalized touch and control over the ingredients, but the cake mix is certainly convenient and helps speed up the process.
- Apple Pie Filling Alternatives: If you’re not a fan of canned apple pie filling, you can use fresh apples sautéed in butter, sugar, and cinnamon. This will give you a fresher, homemade taste, although the canned filling does provide a nice convenience.
- Whipped Topping Swap: For a non-dairy alternative, you can substitute the whipped topping with a non-dairy whipped cream or coconut whipped cream. This works especially well if you’re making the cake for guests with dairy sensitivities.
- Toppings Variation: Feel free to get creative with the toppings. If toffee bits aren’t your thing, you could use chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a crunchy texture. Crushed graham crackers or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar would also add a different flavor profile and texture.
- Caramel Sauce Variations: If you want to get a bit adventurous, try making your own caramel sauce from scratch. Homemade caramel can be richer and more complex than store-bought versions, and it’s relatively easy to make with butter, sugar, and cream.
- Spices and Flavorings: While apple pie spice is the perfect complement to the apple flavor in this cake, you can experiment with other spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even ginger. A splash of vanilla extract in the cake batter adds warmth, but you could try almond extract for a more nuanced flavor.