Apple Cobbler Using Cake Mix

Apple Cobbler Using Cake Mix is the perfect recipe for when you want a dessert someone would proudly serve. This cake is very moist and has a unique combination of textures. Apple Cobbler Using Cake Mix will not take more than 30 minutes until it comes out of the oven, leaving you time to relax on a break while it cools down.

Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix

This Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix is a quick and easy dessert that is exploding with Fall Flavors! Just a couple of simple ingredients and a couple minutes of prep and this Apple Dump Cake will be in your oven baking to bubbly perfection!

Why You Will Love Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix

• QUICK AND EASY – Seriously, this may be the easiest dessert to ever grace your kitchen! Using Apple Pie Filling is the ultimate shortcut. And when you combine that with using Cake Mix for our buttery, crumbly topping, it’s almost unfair how easy this recipe is! And it’s literally about 3 minutes of prep time! It’s a great beginner dessert recipe or a great one to let the kids help with!
• INEXPENSIVE – You probably have most of these ingredients just hanging out in your panty already! And the ones you may need to buy are not expensive at all! I’d be willing to be you can have a homemade dessert that feeds 12 people for under $10! 
• DELICIOUS – I’m really not exaggerating when I say this may be one of the best desserts we’ve put on this blog! The soft, tender apples baked under a slightly crispy, buttery crust. And, of course you have to serve it warm with some Vanilla Ice Cream melting on top. Right?! And, sure, this is great for Autumn when you need a good Fall Dessert. But it would equally be at home at summer cookout!

What Is The Difference Between and Cobbler, Crisp and Crumble?

So, what the heck is the difference between all of these delicious concoctions? 

From what I can tell, over the years, the lines have gotten blurred a bit by us Americans. Traditionally, a “Cobbler” is has a layer of buttery, biscuit-like topping above a layer of fruit. As the pastry cooks, the fruit will bubble up and the result sort of looks like a “cobblestone” street.

As far as crumbles and crisps: these days they are pretty much used interchangeably. But, historically, a “crisp” out contain oats and a crumble would not. The oats would “crisp” up as it bakes and that is where you get the name!

How To Make Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix

This Apple Cobbler, also sometimes called an Apple Dump cake really just takes a couple of steps then you just have to let you oven work it’s magic. If it takes you more than 3 minutes to prepare this dish, it took you too long! For step-by-step instructions, check out the printable recipe card below. But here is what you’ll need to get started:

• APPLE PIE FILLING – Any brand will do. Sure, you could peel, core and coat some fresh apples. But using this pie filling already has the flavors and thickers in it. It’s just so easy!
• VANILLA EXTRACT – This ingredient is not necessary. If you have some on hand, we like to mix a little in with the Apple Pie Filling. It gives it a nice, authentic boost of flavor. But you can skip this if you want. 
• YELLOW CAKE MIX – Any brand. We like using Yellow Cake Mix because it helps to give the topping that nice golden brown color we love. 
• BUTTER – Use  cold butter. We used unsalted but you can use salted if you’d like. 
• CINNAMON and NUTMEG – Again, not necessary, but we combine a little cinnamon and nutmeg into our cake mix before we spread it on top of the apples. If you have some cinnamon and/or nutmeg laying around, we highly recommend adding it.

Storage, Leftovers and Freezing

Store in an airtight container to keep fresh. We like this cake pan that comes with a fitted lid.  Apple Cobbler doesn’t necessary need to be refrigerated. But it will probably extend the shelf life by a couple of days if you do. 

We have not tried to freeze this Apple Cobbler. But I’d advise against it. When it thaws out, I think that top crust will get a little too soggy to enjoy. This dish really is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven!

Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix in a Crockpot

You can easily make Apple Cobbler in your Crockpot. Just spray the slow cooker, pour in your apples and layer the cake mix on top. Then cook it on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. You may not get the crispy topping like you would in a conventional oven. 

Notes, Tips and FAQs

• CAN YOU MAKE THIS DESSERT GLUTEN FREE? – There are a lot of good options these days for a Gluten-Free Cake Mix in the baking aisle of your store. That would make this dish gluten-free!
• DO YOU HAVE TO USE YELLOW CAKE MIX? – Nope! You can use any you’d like! French Vanilla Cake Mix or White Cake Mix would be fine. Or Spice Cake Mix and Butter Pecan Cake Mix would go great with this recipe!
• ADD NUTS – Feel free to sprinkle some crushed walnuts or pecans on top with the cake mix.
• ALTERNATE RECIPE – Some people like to make these cake mix cobblers by melting the butter and then mixing it in with the cake mix before spreading it on top of the apple filling. You can certainly do this. You will generally get the same result either way. 

We hope you enjoy with Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix Recipe. Please let us know how it turns out in the comment section. Happy eating!

Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix

Need a quick dessert idea and have a cake mix handy? This apple cobbler with cake mix is a fantastic option. With just 5 ingredients this cake mix apple cobbler comes together quickly and easily for a simple dessert any night of the week.

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Do you have lots of apples from apple picking or maybe have an apple tree that has given you a bumper crop of apples? Make this simple, delicious cake mix apple cobbler!

This simple, delicious apple dessert is fantastic served over vanilla ice cream. It has all the flavors of fall and makes for a wonderful dessert when you need something simple.

What do I need to make a cake mix apple cobbler?

• Apples – about 6 medium apples or 2 lbs. I used Granny Smith apples, but you could also use Honey Crisp, Jonagold, Winesap, Pink Lady or Braeburn.
• Light Brown Sugar – you could also substitute Swerve Brown Sugar substitute if you’re looking to reduce or eliminate refined sugar from your diet.
• Cinnamon – pumpkin pie spice would also be a complementary spice.
• Yellow Cake Mix – you could also use a white cake mix or a sugar-free, or gluten-free cake mix option as well. You’ll need a 16.25 oz size.
• Butter – 1 stick, melted

For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe. Thanks!

How do I make apple cobbler with cake mix?

1. First, start by peeling and slicing apples. For a good tasting apple cobbler, choose an apple that is firm, tart and slightly sweet. I used Granny Smith apples, which are great for baking. You’ll need 2 pounds of apples, which will be about 6 medium apples.
2. To the apples, add brown sugar and cinnamon and toss together to coat the apples. Pour the apples into an oval baking dish or 9×9″ pan.

3. To make the cake mix crumble, add the yellow cake mix to a bowl, and pour in the melted butter. Mix together with a fork to achieve a crumbly texture.
4. Crumble the cake mix topping over the top of the apples. Bake the cobbler at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until the crumble topping is golden brown. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Once this apple cobbler comes out of the oven, let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. The apples will be VERY hot. This dessert is fantastic served with vanilla ice cream.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MAKING CAKE MIX APPLE COBBLER:

Do you refrigerate apple dump cake?

It is best to refrigerate any leftovers of cake mix apple cobbler. Cobbler can be left out a few hours after baking. It is best to store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Refrigerated cobbler will keep for up to 5 days.

Do you stir a dump cake?

No, it is best to NOT stir a dump cake. For the apple cobbler with cake mix, the topping acts as a crumble and bakes separately from the apples.

What is the difference between a cobbler and a dump cake?

A cobbler made with a cake mix typically has fruit on the bottom of the pan and a crumble made from butter and a cake mix on top. A dump cake typically has just a cake mix “dumped” on top of fruit with melted butter poured over the top.

What’s the difference between a cobbler and a crumble?

A cobbler typically is made with a crumble topping made of flour, sugar and fat (commonly butter.) A crumble or crisp typically includes oatmeal and/or nuts in the topping. Both desserts are baked with fruit on the bottom.

What apples are best for baking?

Apples that are more firm, with a sweet/tart flavor are best for baking. These apples include Winesap, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady and Braeburn. Apples that are not good for baking are Red Delicious, Fuji, Gala and McIntosh, which are not firm enough to withstand baking.

APPLE DUMP CAKE

The incredibly tasty Apple Dump Cake is a super easy dessert, despite the not-so-great name! Apple pie filling, cake mix, and butter are layered in a 9 x 13 pan and baked until golden. This is a perfect dessert for last-minute entertaining!

APPLE DUMP CAKE RECIPE

Talk about an easy dessert to put together on short notice! That’s the wonderful thing about any dump cake, and this apple version turns out beautifully! My apple pie dump cake is a very popular family dessert, no matter the time of year! 

Tender sliced apples are topped with a boxed yellow cake mix and melted butter, then baked until golden. Serve it up nice and hot, or allow your dump cake to cool for about 15 minutes before serving.

❔ WHAT IS

Any ‘dump cake’ is a cake that is made using ingredients that are literally dumped in a baking dish (or crockpot, or instant pot) together. There is no mixing required, and no extra dishes or mixing bowls are used.

Typically, fruit or canned fruit is used as the base of the cobbler-type dish. The base is topped with a boxed cake mix and a wet ingredient like melted butter or lemon-lime soda.

So my apple dump cake is an apple pie filling and cake mix dump cake. The flavor and textures are surprisingly good, and your friends won’t guess that it’s a cake mix recipe!

🥘 INGREDIENTS

• 40 oz Apple Pie Filling (2 20 to 21 oz cans, for fresh apples see notes below)
• 1 box Yellow Cake Mix (white cake mix or spice cake mix also work)
• ¾ cup salted Butter (melted – or use 18 oz Sprite/7 Up/Sierra Mist lemon lime soda)

*Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*

USING FRESH APPLES INSTEAD OF CANNED APPLES

The baking time is long enough that even a semi-firm apple variety would work quite well.

1. I would suggest peeling your apples before using them, and you would need to add some sugar and spices.
2. Use a ½ cup of sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, and a ¼ teaspoon allspice with your peeled, cored, and sliced fresh apples. You will need roughly 6 cups of cut apples, or enough to cover the bottom layer of a 9 x 13 baking pan.
3. Combine these ingredients in a medium-size mixing bowl and substitute them in the directions for the canned apple pie filling.

🔪 STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Start with preheating your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and coating a 9 x 13 baking pan or 3-quart casserole dish with butter, or a non-stick cooking spray. Distribute the canned apple pie filling over the bottom of your baking dish.
2. Next, pour the boxed yellow cake mix over the bottom layer of apple pie filling. Gently shake the pan, or tamp it down on the counter to evenly distribute the cake mix.
3. Distribute the melted butter evenly over the top of the boxed cake mix, use a spoon if needed, or drizzle the melted butter into the pan.
4. Bake in your preheated oven at 350ºF (175ºC) for 45 to 50 minutes, or until golden brown on the top and bubbling around the edges of the baking dish or pan. It is up to you whether you enjoy this dessert straight out of the oven, or after allowing it to cool for about 15 minutes.

I opt to eat it while it’s nice and hot and serve my apple dump cake with either whipped cream or some vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!

💭 ANGELA’S TIPS & RECIPE NOTES

• If desired, additional spices and/or a teaspoon of vanilla extract can be added to the apple pie filling layer. A dusting of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, or allspice, are all wonderful spices to stir in quickly. *I love nutmeg, and highly suggest a nice bit of freshly grated nutmeg to this delicious apple dump cake!
• Yellowcake mix is my preferred combination in this recipe, however, white cake mix and spice cake mix are also great flavor options!
• A 20-ounce bottle of lemon-lime soda, such as 7 Up, Sprite, or Sierra Mist, is also a popular switch for the butter. My family likes this version as well but prefers the buttery taste over the soda cake mix cobbler.