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!

Caramel Apple Poke Cake
Caramel Apple Poke Cake is super simple to make. The caramel drizzle and toffee bits make it irresistible. So perfect for fall!
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 20-ounce can apple pie filling, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup caramel sauce, room temperature or slightly warmed
- 1 8-ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 2/3 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.
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Nutrition Information
Yield 16 Serving Size 1 sliceAmount Per Serving Calories 358Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 45mgSodium 357mgCarbohydrates 57gFiber 1gSugar 43gProtein 3g
Brenda
Wednesday 3rd of November 2021
I’m making this for the first time! Just took it out of the oven and my goodness, it smells so heavenly in my home! Going to be hard to sample it before company comes in 3 days. Thanks for sharing ❤️
Jamie
Wednesday 15th of December 2021
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Brenda! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback! -Jamie
Tara
Tuesday 8th of December 2020
Could I use a sugar free cake mix, would it come out ok
Jamie
Tuesday 8th of December 2020
Hi Tara- I have not tried this, so I am not really sure how it will turn out, but I thinking it would be okay. If you give it a go, please stop back and let me know how it worked for you. -Jamie
Maren
Sunday 24th of November 2019
Could this be made with cream cheese or butter cream frosting instead of the whipped topping?
Jamie
Sunday 24th of November 2019
Hello! Yes, you could definitely top it with a different topping or frosting if you prefer. Hope this helps! Happy baking. Jamie
Betty
Sunday 27th of October 2019
Can you freeze a caramel apple poke cake
Jamie
Tuesday 29th of October 2019
I haven't frozen this recipe before, but I think it would be totally fine. -Jamie
Carol
Monday 14th of October 2019
I made this on Saturday and took it to Swedish School on Sunday. It was a big hit. Amazing how many people have never heard of a poke cake. More people are familiar with Hawaiian poke bowls containing raw fish. So they were quite confused, but delighted.
Instead of caramel sauce, I used a can of caramel sweetened condensed milk that I had. It took a few minutes longer to bake here in Denver. The four leftover pieces will be gobbled up by my co-workers.
Jamie
Tuesday 22nd of October 2019
So happy to hear you enjoyed the cake, Carol! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback! -Jamie