Caramel Apple Poke Cake: Let the Fall Recipes Begin!

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I’m so excited to usher in the cooler autumn season with delicious fall recipes like this Caramel Apple Poke Cake made with apple sauce, apple juice, and M&M’s candies for a pretty decoration on top!

Not only is this cake pretty darn cute, but it includes the terrific, refreshing flavors of fall! This is by far my favorite time of year. I just can’t get enough of the cooler temps, the sweaters and boots, the gorgeous-colored leaves and maybe most of all the fresh-off-the-tree apples!

As a teenager I worked at a country store that was located on a huge orchard owned by a local family in our town. We sold lots of yummy hand-made confections, but the thing I most looked forward to about the autumn months were the crisp apples in a myriad of colors and flavors that started coming in by the bushels! They were picked and boxed right next door to the store. The customers flocked for them.

I started to get pretty adept at knowing what kind of apple it was just by looking at the skin, even though there were so many different kinds throughout the season. It was my job to know, because the prices were all different, depending on the variety of apple.My favorite type definitely is the Honey Crisp. It tastes like candy, that could be why. 🙂

I really miss those days, now that I live out of state. Now I associate fall and all the wonderful events that accompany it with apples and, by default, luscious apple desserts! I decided to put together a sweet treat that embodied all those memories of working at The Big Red Barn and in honor of apple season!

Meet the Caramel Apple Poke Cake. Doesn’t that just look mouthwatering? The cake base is nice and moist with flavor infused through the pokes by a caramel ice cream topping and apple sauce combination. Um…yum!

I just used a yellow cake mix from the box, but then dressed it up with applesauce and apple juice to tailor it to the season.

It’s a super easy dessert to put together and is sure to impress!

Here’s a few of the necessities:

I grabbed all the ingredients during my weekly grocery run to Walmart. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll find Candy Apple M&M’s now at your local Walmart! Wouldn’t those be fun to use for this?

Catch a coupon for $1 off any two Mott’s sauce or Mott’s juice drink HERE. And go HERE to save $1.50 on any two M&M’s brand chocolate candies (coupon quantities are limited). Don’t you just love saving money on baking?

{CARAMEL APPLE POKE CAKE}

1 box yellow cake mix (the kind that calls for eggs, oil, and water)
Mott’s Apple Juice to sub in for the water called for on the box
Mott’s Applesauce (sub in for half of the oil called for on the box and use oil for the other half)
1 apple, peeled and very finely diced; optional (fold into cake batter after mixed)

Poke Mixture:
1/2 c. caramel ice cream topping
1/4 c. Mott’s Applesauce

Topping:
1 container whipped topping, thawed
2 Tbsp. instant vanilla pudding mix (just the powder)
1 Tbsp. Mott’s Applesauce
1/8 tsp. cinnamon (optional)

Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, except make the changes/substitutions described above. Let cake cool completely. Poke the top of the cake with the tip of a wooden spoon about 25-30 times. Prepare poke mixture by stirring together caramel topping and applesauce. Pour mixture over the cake, ensuring it goes into the holes. Make the topping by stirring together whipped topping, pudding mix, applesauce, and cinnamon (if desired). Spread over the cake and refrigerate until ready to eat. Best if eaten within a few hours after making so the cake doesn’t get soggy.