Before spreading the dry cake mix over the filling, lightly toast it in a skillet for 2-3 minutes to enhance nutty flavors and prevent a gummy texture in the final cake.

Cut the butter into small cubes and distribute them uniformly across the cake mix layer—this ensures even browning and creates crispy, caramelized edges throughout the cake.

Resist the urge to mix ingredients; keep the cake mix dry layer intact so it creates a distinct, cake-like crust rather than absorbing moisture and becoming dense.

Sprinkle additional caramel nibs directly onto the buttered cake mix layer and drizzle a bit of caramel sauce over top for intensified flavor and visual appeal.

Let the dump cake rest for 10-15 minutes after baking—this allows the layers to set slightly while remaining warm, creating the ideal balance between cake structure and gooey filling.