Easy Apple Cobbler Made with Cake Mix
This recipe takes everything that's wonderful about apple cobbler and makes it even easier by using cake mix. This shortcut dessert has a homemade apple filling topped with a buttery cake mix topping. Serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream for a fall dessert is cozy and delicious.
This semi-homemade recipe uses a homemade apple filling and a boxed cake mix for easy assembly. It's perfect for a weeknight dessert, a fall party, or whenever you want a warm apple dessert without extra fuss.
Be sure to check out my Caramel Apple Dip and Air Fryer Baked Apple recipes for another great use of all those fall apples!
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Why Cake Mix Works as a Topping
Cake mix might seem like a shortcut, but it actually delivers a topping that's perfect for cobbler. Cake mix is already blended with sugar, leavening, and a touch of vanilla or spice. That means the topping bakes up sweet and flavorful without you having to measure a dozen ingredients.
Because the butter melts into the mix when baking, the result is some bites that are golden-brown and crunchy like a streusel, while others are softer and more cake-like.
The Best Apples for Baking
The filling for this apple cobbler made with cake mix is much like apple pie. You want apples that hold up during baking without getting mushy.
Great baking apples: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Gala, Cortland, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious.
I love using a mix of Granny Smith (tart) and Pink Lady (sweet/tart) for a perfect balance. Peel the apples for a softer filling, or leave the skins for a rustic finish.
If using all sweet apples like Fuji or Gala, consider reducing the sugars by a couple tablespoons to balance the sweetness.
Variations & Swaps
- Use vanilla or spice cake mix instead of yellow. A gluten-free mix could also be used if needed. Any of these make a delicious apple cobbler made with cake mix.
- Although homemade is so good, you could use a canned pie filling in a pinch. This turns the recipe into a true dump cake apple cobbler.
- Add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the cobbler topping.
- Check out this Cherry Cobbler recipe using canned cherry pie filling (video below)! Other fruits like peaches or mixed berries would also make a fun twist on this method.
How to Make Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix
Cook the filling: In a saucepan, combine sliced apples, sugar, spices, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat 3-5 minutes until slightly softened and juices thicken. (This step gives the filling a head start and prevents a soupy cobbler.) Spread the apples into a greased 9x13 baking dish.
Add the topping: In a small bowl, combine dry cake mix and melted butter. Mixture will look crumbly and thick. Combining the melted butter with the cake mix before topping ensures you won't end up with dry pockets of cake mix! Evenly sprinkling topping over the apples.
Bake: Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Let the cobbler sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set up.
Serving Tips
Serving: Cobblers are best enjoyed warm. Top with ice cream (anything with vanilla, cinnamon or caramel would be great!), whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. Yum! Nothing says cozy like warm apple cobbler.
Reheating:
- Whole pan - 350°F for about 15 minutes
- Individual servings - Microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through
Storing:
Freezer: Up to 3 months (thaw in fridge overnight, reheat in oven)
Room temp: 2-3 days (covered)
Fridge: 4-5 days. After refrigerating, the topping can soften. Reheat the cobbler in the oven vs. the microwave to avoid it getting more soggy.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Apple Cobbler Made with Cake Mix
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of a 9x13 baking dish with softened butter.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples along with both sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, cornstarch and lemon juice. Mix and cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, until sugars are dissolved and mixture starts to bubble. Pour apples into baking dish.6-8 apples - cored, peeled and cut into ⅛ inch slices, ⅓ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup white sugar, 1 tbsp. cornstarch, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg, ⅛ tsp. salt, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 2 tbsp. butter
- In a separate bowl combine cake mix and melted butter, the mixture will be crumbly. Evenly sprinkle topping over the apple mixture.15.25 oz. box yellow cake mix, ½ cup butter
- Bake 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown.
- Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream!
Could I use canned pie filling?
I have not tested it with canned pie filling, although I think it would work in a pinch. Just keep in mind the apples in the canned pie filling are already cooked, while in the recipe you are cooking them from raw so it might turn out mushier.
So easy and the apples turned out perfectly! Not too sweet against the sweet topping. Great fall recipe!