3 Ingredient Apple Cake
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our full disclosure policy.
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 enjoy easy cake mix desserts, you might also like my Lemon Dump Cake and Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Simple Ingredients
- Spice cake mix – I recommend Duncan Hines spice cake mix because I found it had better flavor during recipe testing.
- Can of apple pie filling – I use one 21-ounce can of apple pie filling. The filling adds sweetness, moisture, and tender apple pieces without peeling or chopping fresh apples.
- 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°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 a hand 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.
Want to see how it comes together? Watch the quick video below before you start.
Variations and Substitutions
- Use yellow cake mix – Yellow cake mix can be used if you don’t have spice cake mix. I recommend adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of cinnamon or apple pie spice so you still get those warm spiced flavors.
- Homemade apple pie filling – If you have homemade apple pie filling, you can use it instead of canned pie filling. Use about the same amount as a 21-ounce can. Just keep in mind that homemade pie fillings can vary in sweetness and consistency, which may slightly change the flavor and texture of the finished cake.
- Add chopped pecans – A half cup of chopped pecans adds a little crunch and pairs nicely with the apples and spice cake.
- Dust with powdered sugar – If you’re serving this for brunch or dessert, a light dusting of powdered sugar is an easy finishing touch.
- Frost it – A layer of cream cheese frosting turns this simple cake into more of a celebration dessert.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t recommend it for this recipe. Apple pie filling provides the apples, syrup, and sweetness needed for the right flavor and texture. Fresh apples don’t release the same amount of moisture or contain the added sugar found in pie filling, so simply swapping them in will result in a drier, less sweet cake. If you’d like to use fresh apples, the recipe would need additional ingredients and testing to balance the moisture and sweetness.
Be careful not to overmix the batter. Beat just long enough to roughly chop the apples, then finish mixing by hand if needed. Overmixing can make the cake heavier than intended.
I recommend Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix because that’s what I used to develop and test this recipe. Since Betty Crocker spice cake mix is a smaller box, I can’t guarantee the same results without adjusting the recipe.
Want to be the first to know when the next easy dessert recipe is published? Sign up for our newsletter updates below.
Looking for more apple desserts?
Check out these easy recipes.
Did you love this apple cake with cake mix? Please leave a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments below.
3 Ingredient Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box spice cake mix I used Duncan Hines
- 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 3 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.