Apple Cobbler Using Canned Pie Filling

Apple cobbler using canned pie filling is a traditional country dessert favorite. Now with this apple cobbler recipe, you can have your pie and eat it too! I’m always looking for ways to cut back on processed foods. This recipe makes use of a canned basic pie filling and doesn’t include any butter. Don’t be thrown off by the title, canned pie filling isn’t something to sniff at!

This apple cobbler with cake mix and pie filling recipe is just about the easiest dessert you can make, and it’s so delicious everyone will love it. Plus, the smell, while it’s cooking, is simply divine. You could top the cobbler with ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if you’d like to round out a meal, which would be absolutely delicious option.

You may not be able to get homemade apple cobbler bars this time of the year, but you can still get delicious fruit cobbler. Furthermore, you can make a batch of this easy fruit cobbler recipe and serve it warm over ice cream or as an accompaniment to a scoop of peach frozen yogurt. Below are the health benefits of apples.

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Easy Fruit Cobbler Recipe

This easy fruit cobbler recipe is a family favorite! It’s an update of the popular fruit crisp desserts with no rolling and cutting in your kitchen. It’s bursting with juicy berries, apples, and other fruits. Apart from that, it’s nothing like your grandmother’s fruit cobbler since this one requires zero latticework or weaving strips of dough.

Prep:10 mins

Cook:55 mins

Total:65 mins

Servings:8 servings

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
435	Calories
20g	Fat
62g	Carbs
4g	Protein

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

If you’re looking for something fruity and sweet for dessert but don’t want to spend lots of time peeling or coring or slicing up fruits, add this cobbler with pie filling to your repertoire.

This fruit cobbler recipe uses your favorite canned fruit pie filling: Apple, peach, cherry, blueberry, strawberry, and strawberry rhubarb are all good choices or combine them if you like.

This cobbler was made with cherry pie filling and baked for 55 minutes. It’s a quick process of putting together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, in a bowl. The butter goes into the baking dish in a warming oven and is melted by the time the oven has preheated. Add the flour and then the pie filling and bake. It’s that easy.  

Ingredients

• 4 ounces butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• Kosher salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 (20-ounce) can of fruit pie filling

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Heat oven to 350 F. Add butter to an 8-inch square baking dish or a 9-inch round baking dish and place in the oven to melt.
3. Combine sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and milk in a large bowl. Mix until well blended.
4. Remove the baking dish from the oven once the butter has melted. Pour batter over butter.
5. Pour pie filling over top of the batter. 
6. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until the crust is golden brown around the edges. It might look buttery on top, but the butter will sink into the cake as it cools a bit.

Tip

• The recipe may be doubled and baked in a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan. 

Recipe Variations

• Streusel Topping: Combine 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar (light or dark) with 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup of chilled butter. Mix with a pastry blender to make crumbs. Add 1/4 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts. Sprinkle the streusel over the pie filling layer and bake as directed.
• Vary the flours: Use a combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flours, or white whole wheat. You can also mix up all-purpose flour with pastry flour for a more delicate crumb.
• Make this gluten-free by using a 1-to-1 gluten-free all-purpose baking blend.
• Add a bit of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, or nutmeg to the flour mix, depending on what fruit you are using for the cobbler.
• Make this recipe vegan by using plant-based milk and a vegan shortening instead of milk and butter.

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How to Store and Freeze Fruit Cobbler

Fruit cobbler will keep, covered, at room temperature for up to two days. You can store it longer than that in the refrigerator and also freeze the fruit cobbler. Defrost in the fridge and reheat at 350 F for 15 to 20 minutes or put the frozen cobbler into a 350 F oven and bake until heated all the way through.

APPLE COBBLER BARS

Apple cobbler bars are easy-to-make dessert bars full of warm fall spices and the crisp flavor of apples! A simple sweet vanilla glaze is the ultimate way to top off the soft buttery crust and apple pie filling. There is no doubt that these apple dessert bars will be a huge hit on any occasion!

Our Apple Cobbler Bars have a buttery oatmeal cookie base that’s topped with our thick, not quite gooey, apple-cobbler-like filling and a sweet streusel crumble. Be warned — this is not a healthy snack — it’s just too tasty. Perfect for after-school, or afternoon snacks.

EASY APPLE COBBLER BARS RECIPE

These apple cobbler bars are a simple-to-make fall dessert full of spiced apple flavor! They are made for serving a crowd, so they are easy to share with friends and family!

The delectable combination of canned apple pie filling, buttery crust, and vanilla glaze is all you could ask for in a dessert. Everyone will be asking you for this recipe!

🥘 APPLE COBBLER BAR INGREDIENTS

APPLE SQUARES INGREDIENTS

• Butter – ¾ cup of softened butter (12 tablespoons, or 1 ½ sticks of butter).
• Sugar – 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar.
• Salt – ½ teaspoon of salt.
• Apple Pie Spice ½ teaspoon of apple pie spice (or ground cinnamon).
• Eggs – 3 large eggs (at room temperature).
• Vanilla Extract – 1 ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract. 
• All-Purpose Flour – 2 ¼ cups.
• Apple Pie Filling – 21 ounces (1 21-ounce can or see my recipe).

VANILLA GLAZE INGREDIENTS

• Confectioners’ Sugar – ½ cup of confectioners’ sugar (aka powdered sugar).
• Heavy Cream – 1 tablespoon (or whole milk, or half & half).
• Vanilla Extract – ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract. 

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

🔪 HOW TO MAKE APPLE COBBLER BARS

There are a few steps but there is nothing too hard about this recipe! All you will need is a mixing bowl, measuring cups, and a 9X13 baking pan.

This makes 18 apple cobbler bars! It’s perfect for sharing!

HOW TO MAKE APPLE COBBLER DOUGH

1. Prep. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking or baking spray.
2. Cream butter and sugar. In a large mixing bowl cream together ¾ cup softened butter, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon apple pie spice (or cinnamon).
3. Mix in eggs. Add the eggs one at a time, starting with the first egg and 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract, and mix between each addition (add a tablespoon or two of all-purpose flour if your mixture starts to curdle).
4. Add the flour. Mix in 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour just until the dough is combined. Reserve 1 cup of the dough for the topping, and set it aside.

ASSEMBLE & BAKE THE APPLE COBBLER BARS

1. Layer the bars. Spread the dough in an even layer over the bottom of your greased baking pan then top with 21 ounces of apple pie filling. Drop the reserved 1 cup dough in rounded spoonfuls over the top of the apple pie filling.
2. Bake and cool. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until the cobbler bars are golden and the topping is set (no longer doughy). Remove from the oven when done, set the pan on a wire cooling rack, and allow to cool before topping with icing.

MIX & DRIZZLE THE VANILLA GLAZE

1. Make glaze. In a small bowl combine the glaze ingredients (½ cup confectioners’ sugar,1 tablespoon heavy cream, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract) until smooth. Adjust the thickness as needed to reach a drizzling consistency that clings well to your spoon, but drizzles easily.
2. Drizzle. Drizzle the glaze over your cooled apple cobbler bars, cut, and serve or allow the glaze to set before cutting.

💭 ANGELA’S TIPS & RECIPE NOTES

• Cut your apple pie filling into smaller chunks to spread out more evenly over these pie bars.
• If you’re out of canned apple pie filling, try my easy homemade apple pie filling!
• Store any remaining apple cobbler bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days (without the glaze). If you are adding dairy-based glaze, your cobbler bars should be refrigerated.
• To freeze your apple cobbler bars, hold off on adding the glaze until they’re thawed. Wrap in heavy-duty aluminum foil and transfer into an airtight freezer storage container or plastic freezer storage bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge and serve within 3 months of freezing.

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❓ CAN I FREEZE APPLE COBBLER BARS?

You can freeze them if you don’t add the vanilla glaze until thawed. Wrap the bars in foil and place them into an airtight freezer container or plastic bag. Thaw the bars overnight and eat for up to 3 months.

❓ WHAT ARE THE BEST APPLES FOR APPLE PIE FILLING?

If you are not using canned filling, you could try my easy homemade apple pie filling! The best apples to use are Crispin, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, Northern Spy, Jonagold, Braeburn, and Cortland.

This Easy Apple Cobbler is made with just 6 ingredients and oven-ready in under 5 minutes. Delicious and served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!

When it comes to apple picking, I always have really good intentions. I plan to go, I enjoy going, I really really want to go… but somehow, we always seem to miss it. Because our fall calendar is packed! And, well, something’s gotta give.

This is probably why this Easy Apple Cobbler is one of my FAVORITE apple recipes. Because it starts with a can of apple pie filling! Which makes it quick, easy, and so delicious!

Now I just want to say – for those of you who are anti-pie filling – I get it! When apples are in season, you want to use fresh apples. And…you can! You can 100% make your own homemade pie filling. It’s just that, if your schedule is anything like ours is, you want quick. You need quick! And you need easy. You need the can.

Either way, I can guarantee that you’re going to love this cobbler. It couldn’t be easier to make or more perfect for fall. From one busy person to another, you’re welcome!

🍎 ingredients

One of the things I love about this recipe is that it starts with a can of apple pie filling. Don’t get me wrong… I love using fresh fruit just as much as the next person… but sometimes I just need a recipe that’s quick and easy. And THIS IS IT! (You can definitely feel free to substitute homemade apple pie filling if you’d like.)

Using self-rising flour also makes this recipe extra quick and easy, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can combine 1 c. all-purpose flour with 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 tsp. salt.

• 1 (21 oz.) can of apple pie filling
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
• 1 c. self-rising flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 c. milk

📋 instructions

You can’t beat a recipe that’s oven-ready in just 5 minutes. This really is the easiest Apple Cobbler recipe you can find!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Pour melted butter into a 2-quart baking dish.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in milk until well combined.
4. Pour the mixture of butter into a pan. Do not stir.
5. Spoon apple pie filling evenly over top of the batter. Do not stir.
6. Bake 35-40 minutes or until crust rises to the top and browns.

🍓 recipe variations

• Substitute strawberry, cherry, peach, blueberry, or any of your favorite flavors of pie filling
• Add 1/2 c. chopped nuts to the cobbler base
• Add 1/2 c. oats to the cobbler base
• Use apple pie spice or a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, and ginger
• Drizzle with caramel sauce for a caramel apple cobbler
• Top with vanilla or caramel swirl ice cream

🌡 storing

Leftover cobbler can be stored, and covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep longer, store it in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 1 week.

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Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix and Pie Filling

My apple cobbler with cake mix and pie filling recipe is an easy way to make one of the best desserts ever. With a base of just three ingredients, this cobbler is super quick and simple. However, if you add a few extra spices, you can elevate this southern-style dessert to new heights. One of the best things about this cobbler is the texture because the crumb topping is so different, more like what you would find on a crisp or crumble. If you want to learn how to make an easy and delicious apple cobbler, especially if you need to feed a crowd, keep reading!

Why Use Cake Mix as Apple Cobbler Topping?

When most people think of a cobbler, they think of something like one of my southern-style peach cobblers: pie crust on the top, maybe on the bottom as well, and a filling made of fresh, frozen, or canned fruit and sugar. Although an old-fashioned apple cobbler with fresh apples and pie crust would be delicious, a cake mix cobbler is good because it is almost effortless.

Instead of measuring out ingredients and rolling out pie dough, all you have to do is open a box of white or yellow cake mix, sprinkle it over the fruit filling, top with butter, and then bake. Super quick and easy.

Another advantage of using cake mix as a cobbler topping is that the combination of cake mix and butter makes a delicious crumb topping. Most cobblers have a soft cake or crispy pie crust topping, but making apple cobbler with cake mix gives the cobbler a crumb topping that is very similar to a crisp or crumbles.

Can You Make Apple Cobbler with Apple Pie Filling?

Like I said earlier, when most people think of a cobbler, they think of a dessert with a fruit filling made of fresh, frozen, or canned fruit. However, using storebought apple pie filling makes this cobbler extremely easy because there are no peeling apples, measuring sugar, or adding cornstarch. The canned pie filling has apples that have already been peeled and sliced, and the sugar and thickener have been added as well, so all of the work has already been done for you.

The only drawback to making apple cobbler with apple pie filling is that you can’t control the ingredients. Do you prefer dark brown sugar? Do you want something a bit less sweet? Usually, canned pie fillings are not well-spiced, so if you want your cobbler to be truly outstanding, you will probably need to add some spices–I will go over that in a bit.

Can You Make Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix and Canned Apples?

Yes, you can definitely use canned apples. As long as the canned apples have sugar and are not runny, they can be substituted in equal amounts for apple pie filling.

Now that you understand the advantages of making apple cobbler with cake mix and pie filling, let’s walk through the recipe. You only need 3 basic ingredients, but a few extras will make your cobbler even better.

Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix and Pie Filling: Three Ingredient Apple Cobbler

If you make apple cobbler with cake mix and pie filling, you only truly need three ingredients: cake mix, pie filling, and butter since the cake mix and pie filling already have sugar. Although it would be good with just the basics, adding a few other things will make your cobbler truly delicious. Let’s walk through the recipe to show you how to make this easy apple cobbler.

Dumping Pie Filling into Pan

The first step in learning how to make apple cobbler with cake mix is putting the pie filling in the casserole dish. A 15.25 oz box of cake mix makes enough crust for a 9 x 13 pan, so you need 2 20 oz cans of apple pie filling. Most store-bought apple pie filling in the United States is sold in 20 oz cans, but be sure to read the label.

After first coating, the casserole dish with butter, pour in the apple pie filling and spread it out evenly. If some of the apple slices look bigger than the others, cut them into smaller pieces.

Just like everything else, storebought apple pie filling is meant to appeal to as many people as possible, so it is usually pretty plain. It will be good if you use the pie filling as is, but I recommend adding a few other things to give your apple cobbler a bit more flavor:

• Extra brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ginger
• Lemon Juice

You may want to use all, a few, or none of these extra spices and brown sugar, but I think that they helped to make the store-bought apple pie filling taste more homemade. Once the filling is spread out evenly in the 9 x 13 pan, just sprinkle the spices and brown sugar over the apple filling and then lightly mix in to incorporate. Super simple.

Making the Apple Cobber Cake Mix Topping

Once the apple pie filling and spices are in the pan, it is time to make the cake mix topping. This is a dump cake-style cobbler, so all you have to do is sprinkle a standard 15.25 oz box of cake mix over the top of the filling and then spread it out evenly without pressing down too much.

I recommend white or yellow cake mix since those flavors are fairly neutral and won’t compete with the apple filling too much, but I think that a spice cake mix could work as well. If you get creative with the cake mix flavor, let me know how your cobbler turns out.

Adding the Butter to Make the Crumb Topping

Next, you need to add butter to the cake mix so that it forms a crumb topping as the cobbler bakes.

Although it seems like a lot, you need 2 sticks of butter for this recipe. Since you are not mixing the cake mix with water, milk, or some other liquid to make a batter, you need the butter to moisten the cake mix as the cobbler bakes. You could probably get away with 1.5 sticks, but less than that, and I think that your cobbler would have a few dry patches.

Can you use melted butter to make the crumb topping?

When I made my apple cobbler, I did what I saw most other YouTube chefs do. I sliced the 2 sticks of butter very thinly, pretty much as thinly as I could, and then I laid the butter slices on top of the raw cake mix, spacing them out as evenly as possible.

As the cobbler baked in the oven, the butter melted down into the cake mix, moistening it and giving it the fat it needed to turn into a crispy crumb topping during the baking process. The melting butter moved more down than out, so it is important to put the butter slices close together, being careful to not leave a section of the cobbler with no butter at all. If a section of the cobbler has no butter, it will turn out dry, so making sure that the butter is evenly distributed is important.

Slicing butter into thin pieces and then placing those pieces on top of the cobbler takes a few minutes, so you might want to know if melting the butter and pouring it on top of the apple cobbler is an option. I did some a few people on YouTube just pour on the melted butter, but I think you would have to be careful to not accidentally more too much in one area and not enough in another.

Although I think you could melt the butter and pour it on top of the cake mix, I recommend cutting the butter into slices

Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix and Pie Filling Bake Time In the Oven

Once the butter is on top of the cake mix, it is time to bake the apple cobbler in the oven. I baked mine at 350 F, uncovered, for 1.5 hours (90 minutes), longer than baking my other cobblers. The first time you make this, I recommend checking it at the 60 and 75-minute marks to see if a section of the cobbler is browning too much. You may have to rotate the pan or cover part of the cobbler with foil to make sure that the surface browns evenly.

When the apple cobbler is done baking, take it out and let it cool down for at least 15 minutes before serving so that it holds its shape a bit more when served. Cake mix cobblers with pie filling do not hold their shape like pie crust cobblers, do use a big spatula to scoop out portions if likely the best way.

Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix and Pie Filling in a 9 x 13 Pan: Perfect for a Crowd

If you are cooking for a lot of people, this apple cobbler with cake mix and pie filling recipe is perfect. 1 standard 15.25 oz box of cake mix, 2 cans of pie filling, and 2 sticks of butter are enough for a 9 x 13 cobbler.

If you were to make a large old-fashioned cobbler, you would need at least 2 pie crusts. You would also have to peel and prep at least 2 pounds of fresh apples to make the filling. That would be a lot of work, so if you need to make an apple cobbler for a crowd, this cake mix and pie-filling version are great.

With pre-measured ingredients you probably already have at home, you can quickly make a 9 x 13 apple cobbler that would be perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sunday dinner, a family reunion, or another event.

Can You Make Apple Cobbler Ahead of Time?

If you are making apple cobbler for a crowd, you may consider making it ahead of time, perhaps the day before.

I think you could make it ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator, but the cake mix topping would lose some crispiness. When I made my cobbler, I tried a piece the following day. Although it still tasted great, it was a bit less crispy, the moisture from the filling having softened the crumb topping slightly.

You could get away with making this apple cobbler ahead of time, but no more than the day before. I think that freezing and thawing would definitely change the crust texture, so I wouldn’t recommend it. In all honesty, this apple cobbler with cake mix is so quick to make, I recommend making it the day of so that you don’t sacrifice the texture. If you are going to cheat on your diet, you want to eat your calories wisely, haha.

Health Benefits of Apples

1. Apple Helps in smooth bowel movement

Bowel Movements- Apples are high in a fiber called pectin. This fiber can be found between the cell walls of the apple. The pectin fiber contained in apple aid in the digestive process by ensuring smoother bowel movements. It prevents constipation and all kinds of stomach diseases.

Fiber should be included as part of your daily diet. The insoluble fiber contained in apple help to add bulk to your stool (especially for those suffering from loose stools) – this helps to retain water and make your stool soft. Consuming apple also helps to stimulate peristaltic motion which in turn makes the muscles contract allowing the food to move along.

2. Helps to prevent cancer

Cancer- The benefits of apples for cancer prevention have become a subject of study in the medical world. They help to improve types of cancer such as breast and colon cancer. Apples are naturally imbued with health and nutritional properties that help to act as protective barriers to any kind of health trouble from brewing (including cancer).

As a cancer preventive measure, it contains antioxidants that help to fight off the free radicals that bring about harm to your cells. However, exactly how an apple works to improve cancer in terms of its mechanism is still not fully clear in the medical world.

3. Apple for digestive problems

Intestine- Apples help to better develop the functioning of the bacteria that reside in the large intestine. Apples alter the metabolic rate of the digestive tract. This changed metabolic rate then helps to cause modifications in the bacteria balance, which improves gut health. As a result of the improved health condition, it aids in the removal of toxic elements and bad bacteria.

4. Apple juice for anemia

Anemia- Anemia is a health condition where there is a decrease in the hemoglobin count of the blood. Patients who are suffering from anemia can easily treat their condition by including a source of iron in their daily diet (either in fruit form or as additional health supplements).

Apple is a great source of iron and acts as a great home remedy in the treatment of anemia. The common signs and symptoms of anemia include sleep deprivation, headache, heartbeat, shortness of breath and tiredness. Have it raw or in the form of juice made at home (without sugar).

A combination of apple juice with that beet-root juice or apple juice and tomato juice works wonders for your health.

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5. Apple helps to fight weakness

Fights Weakness- Apples are loaded with antioxidants and help to detoxify the body. They help in gaining weight. Patients who are going through their recovery phase are often given apples to eat as they instill energy and vitality. Remember to add apples to your daily diet if you want to feel energized all day long!

6. Apple helps control diabetes

Diabetes- For those suffering from diabetes, regulating blood sugar levels is absolutely necessary. The polyphenol contained in apples helps to reduce the absorption of carbohydrates by the digestive system. This helps to control the constant fluctuation of the blood sugar level in the bloodstream. As a result, your diabetes remains in check.

Additionally, the polyphenols present in apple help in the absorption of glucose by the digestive tract. When this happens the insulin released from the pancreas plays an important role of keeping blood sugar levels in control.

7. Apple is good for skin whitening

Skin Care- Eating apples or applying them as a paste in combination with honey and milk helps to add glow and shine to your skin.

The antioxidants present in the skin of apples help to fight the signs of damaged skin such as wrinkles, age spots, blemishes, etc. It helps in improving blood circulation. Improved blood circulation replaces the old cells with new ones, this ensures youthful and radiant-looking skin.