Caramel Apple Poke Cake

Like it or not, we are firmly in fall now.  Even though it has been a warm fall here in Wisconsin so far, I am enjoying my favorite part of fall: fall foods.  I'm all about the apples, maple, pecans, squash, pumpkin, etc. lately.  Today I am sharing with you a great fall dessert.  This is another awesome poke cake recipe.  I love poke cakes!  Let's be honest, cake can be pretty boring.  But poke some holes in it and fill it with yummy stuff, and it's a whole different story!  I saw this at What's Cooking, Love? and just had to try it.  I made a few modifications; here's my version.

Caramel Apple Poke Cake

Ingredients:

1 (18 oz.) box spice cake mix

Eggs, oil, and water called for on cake mix box

1½ cups apple pie filling

¾ cup caramel ice cream topping, divided

1 (8 oz.) tub Cool Whip

½ tsp cinnamon

Directions:

Prepare the cake according to the directions on the box.  Remove from oven and use a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly throughout the cake.

Chop up the apples contained in the apple pie filling into smaller pieces. Then combine the apple pie filling and ½ cup of the caramel ice cream topping in a medium sized bowl. Spread the caramel apple topping evenly on top of the cake, trying to get some in the holes.  Let cake cool.

For the topping, mix the remaining ¼ cup caramel ice cream topping into the Cool Whip container. Mix together until combined then spread it on top of the cake. Then sprinkle cinnamon on top.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Refrigerate any leftovers.

Makes 24 servings.

The original recipe called for a white cake mix, and you could certainly use that if you can't find the spice cake mix, but the spice cake adds a lot of character to this cake.  The brown color is prettier, I think, and of course the spices in it go really well with apples and caramel.  The other thing I changed was to omit a layer of sweetened condensed milk.  I'm sure that makes it even tastier, but it's really not necessary.

This cake is so yummy!  The spice cake, and the apples, and the caramel are all so tasty together.  The cake is very moist. I may or may not have eaten some of the leftover pieces with some additional caramel drizzle on top. ;)

So if you're looking for a great cake to take to a fall get-together, this is the one!  If you are a fan of poke cakes, lucky you because I have another one to share with you next week!  (I may be a little obsessed!)

Here are the other poke cakes I have shared with you in the past:

Boston Cream Pie Poke Cake
Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake
Patriotic Poke Cake