Easy Apple Cake (with Cake Mix and Pie Filling)
Sometimes you just need a good shortcut recipe, and this cake mix apple cake is perfect for a fall dessert or breakfast.
Warm spices, tender apples, and a simple streusel give this easy apple cake a from-scratch flavor, but with cake mix and pie filling doing the heavy lifting.
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I know there are some people who think every dessert should be made from scratch, but I am not one of them.
Sure, I enjoy a good old-fashioned recipe as much as anyone, but there are times when I just need a good shortcut recipe.
Over the years, I’ve learned how to doctor-up a cake mix to make a dessert look and taste like it’s made from scratch, and this easy apple cake made with cake mix and pie filling is the perfect example.
The cake itself is soft and fluffy, with warm spices and tender chunks of apples throughout. But the streusel topping is what takes it to the next level and gives it that from-scratch flair.
It’s a delicious sweet treat for fall, and can be served as a coffee cake for breakfast or topped with a dollop of whipped cream for dessert.
More Easy Apple Recipes:
- Baked Apple Fritters
- Bisquick Apple Crisp
- Apple Cider Donut Cake (Made with Cake Mix)
- Easy Country Apple Cake
How to Make a Cake Mix Apple Cake
It’s really easy to make this simple dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- White cake mix
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Oil
- Eggs
- Water
- Apple pie filling
- Sugar
- Brown sugar
- Flour
How to Make It:
Find the full printable recipe available below
Make the batter. First, you’ll beat together the cake mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, oil, eggs, and water until it’s smooth.
Add apple pie filling. Then, you’ll stir in a can of apple pie filling, just until it’s incorporated.
Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13″ pan and spread it evenly.
Make streusel topping. Then, you’ll make a streusel topping by combining brown sugar, sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Add a little vegetable oil and mix together with your fingers until the mixture resembles wet sand.
Top and bake. Sprinkle the streusel over the top of the batter, then pop the pan into the oven and bake for about a half hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove it from the oven and let it cool for at least 15-20 minutes if you’re serving it warm. Otherwise, you can let it cool completely before slicing.
Enjoy!
Notes and Adaptations:
- I use a white cake mix for this recipe, but you can use a spice cake mix if you prefer a more pronounced spice flavor.
- Leftover cake can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- You can serve this cake on its own or with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. A drizzle of caramel sauce can be added, too!
- This can be served as a breakfast coffee cake or as a dessert.
Recommended Equipment:
Easy Apple Cake (with Cake Mix and Pie Filling)
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 14.25 ounce white cake mix
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup water
- 21 ounce apple pie filling
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer), prepare cake batter by combining cake mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, oil, eggs, and water. Mix on low speed for about 30 seconds, then scrape down the side of the bowl. Mix on medium speed for 1 minute.
- Add pie filling to the batter, folding in with a large spoon or spatula until well-combined.
- Spread batter in prepared pan.
- Prepare streusel topping by combining sugar, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Whisk together, then add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Use a spoon or your fingers to mix the oil into the dry ingredients until the mixture is the consistency of wet sand.
- Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the cake batter.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cool for at least 15-20 minutes if you want to serve it warm, or you can allow cake to cool completely.
Notes
- I use a white cake mix, but you can substitute a spice cake mix if you prefer a more pronounced spice flavor.
- Leftover cake can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Equipment
Nutrition
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