This 3-ingredient apple cake combines spice cake mix, apple pie filling, and eggs for an easy dessert full of classic fall flavors. It’s a simple recipe that delivers all the warmth and coziness of the fall season in every bite.
Easy Apple Cake
I love quick recipes that I can throw together with minimal ingredients, and this 3-ingredient apple cake checks all the boxes. It’s a great dessert for those busy days when you want something sweet but don’t have the time or energy for a complicated recipe.
I don’t know about you, but I’m super excited for fall to arrive. After a hot summer, I’m more than ready for some cooler weather and all the cozy flavors that come with it. This cake delivers on those fall vibes with its warm spice cake and sweet apple filling. I made this cake four times to get it just right, and I highly recommend using the Duncan Hines spice cake mix if you can find it—the flavor is noticeably better than the Betty Crocker version.
If you love this three-ingredient cake, check out my three-ingredient Lemon Dump Cake and Strawberry Dump Cake.
Simple Ingredients
- Box of spice cake mix: This pre-made mix is the backbone of the cake, bringing in all those classic fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. I recommend using Duncan Hines.
- Can of apple pie filling: Adds moisture and sweetness to the cake.
- Eggs: Help bind everything together, giving the cake structure and a soft, fluffy texture.
Making the Apple Spice Cake
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13-inch cake pan with cooking spray.
- Mix the batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix, apple pie filling, and eggs. Use an electric mixer on low speed to beat the ingredients together. This will help chop some of the apples, but be careful not to overmix—you want the apples to be roughly chopped, not completely pureed. If there’s still some dry cake mix after the apples are chopped, finish mixing the batter by hand with a rubber spatula.
- Pour and spread: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it in an even layer with your spatula. Make sure the apples are evenly distributed throughout the batter so that every slice has a bit of fruit in it.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown, and your kitchen will be filled with the warm aroma of spices.
- Cool and serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. You can enjoy it warm or at room temperature, on its own, or with a scoop of ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce to make it a little fancier.
Variations and substitutions
Cake mix flavors: If you can’t find spice cake mix or want to switch things up, try using a yellow, vanilla, or butter pecan mix. You can add a teaspoon of cinnamon or apple pie spice to the box of cake mix to mimic the warm flavors of a spice cake.
Add-ins: To enhance the flavor and texture, add some chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts), raisins, or even some shredded coconut. These add a nice crunch or chewiness to the cake.
Toppings: After baking, sprinkle the top of the cake with powdered sugar or drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra layer of sweetness. A cream cheese frosting would also complement the spice and apple flavors nicely.
Tips for success
- Don’t overmix the batter: While using a mixer is the easiest way to mix the batter, you want to be careful not to overmix. You want the apples to be roughly chopped but not completely pureed, which helps keep the cake’s texture moist and slightly chunky.
- Evenly distribute the apples: When you pour the batter into the baking dish, make sure the apple pieces are evenly spread throughout. This ensures that every slice of cake has a good balance of fruit and cake.
- Cool before slicing: Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake set and makes it easier to cut without crumbling.
- Serve with toppings: While the cake is delicious on its own, consider serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent treat.
How to Store the Cake
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
The cake can be frozen for up to three months. Allow the cake to cool completely before wrapping individual slices in plastic wrap or foil and transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw at room temperature.
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3 Ingredient Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box spice cake mix
- 1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling
- 4 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix, apple pie filling, and eggs. Use a hand mixer on low speed to beat the ingredients together, roughly chopping the apples without completely pureeing them. If any dry cake mix remains, finish mixing the batter by hand with a spatula.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly, ensuring the apples are distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- The cake can be frozen for up to three months
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.