Apple Cobbler Cake

5-ingredient easy apple cobbler recipe with yellow cake mix and apple pie filling. Makes a perfect quick fall cake for a big family. We love dump cake recipes like this.

I’ll take a good old cake mix apple cobbler any time of the year, not just in the Fall season. So this version of the homemade recipe makes sure we can enjoy the flavors even when we don’t have fresh apples (or much time) on our hands.

A classic apple recipe for potluck and family gatherings that comes as a close second after peach cobbler in our family.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe

• Dump and go & one-pan delicious dessert to try this fall season.
• Only 5 simple and frugal ingredients are available year-round, so there is no need to make the cake batter from scratch meaning you don’t need to use any flour, baking soda, or baking powder, or worry about measuring it wrong.
• Uses shortcuts and yet without sacrificing the classic flavor.
• Perfect apple cobbler infused with fall flavors.

Ingredients Notes

• Apple pie filling – 2 cans (21 oz each) will be enough, but you can also use homemade apple filling or fresh apples.
• Ground cinnamon – cinnamon is a must in this recipe.
• Ground nutmeg (optional)
• Yellow cake mix (1 box) or gluten-free cake mix to make a dessert without gluten. Butter and vanilla cake mixes are great options too.
• Unsalted butter. Melted in the saucepan or microwave.
• Chopped nuts (optional). Pecans and walnuts are nice additions to apples.

What Apple Varieties Are Best To Use For Apple Cobbler Recipes?

If you are using fresh apples, it is up to your preferences tart apples vs sweet ones.

My go-to apples to use are Granny Smith apples and Honey Crisp. Honey crisps have just the right amount of sweet and tart flavors and they are often what you get while apple picking.

Pink Lady, Gala, and McIntosh apples will also work in apple cobblers.

You can also use two different apple varieties, one sweet like Golden Delicious and one tart like Granny Smith. The same rule applies to homemade apple pie or apple crisp recipes.

You’ll Only Need A Baking Dish

I use a 9×13 baking dish – it is a simple dump recipe, so you don’t need any mixing bowls or such.

To be honest, you can even make this cobbler in a Dutch oven or a slow cooker (4 hrs on low).

How To Make Apple Cobbler

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish – set aside.
2. Bottom layer: Spread the apple pie filling into an even layer at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
3. Middle layer: Sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg over the top of the filling.
4. Top layer: Add the dry cake mix, spreading in an even layer, making sure to cover all or as much of the pie filling as possible. Do not mix into the pie filling – you want it to be a dry layer on top of the filling so the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Drizzle the melted butter on top of the dry mix. Try to cover as much as possible.
6. Sprinkle with the chopped pecans – if using.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown. The filling will be bubbly. If the top is getting too dark, cover it with foil.
8. Allow to cool slightly for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Serving Ideas (Beyond Vanilla Ice Cream)

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top. That’s my go-to approach.

But caramel sauce works magically as a cobbler topping.

Instead of vanilla ice cream you can use homemade peanut butter ice cream or coffee ice cream or frozen yogurt of your favorite flavor.

Storage

Store homemade apple cobbler at room temperature in an airtight container for 2 days or in the fridge for 5 days. Let the apple cobbler cool completely before storing it.

You can freeze apple cobbler for 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 2 hours. The cobbler should be served warm, so quickly reheat in a microwave for 20-30 seconds.

You can make this apple cobbler recipe 1 day ahead of the party.

Be sure to wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil when storing this delicious apple dessert. 

Apple Cobbler Recipe Variations & Substitutions

• Vanilla extract added to the cake mix will add a nice sweet vanilla flavor. You can also use a vanilla cake mix instead of a yellow mix. Almond extra could also work!
• Instead of cake mix, you can make the “batter” from scratch or use biscuit dough. To make the crumb mixture from scratch, combine flour, brown sugar or granulated sugar, eggs, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a large bowl. Once combined, sprinkle this crumbly mixture over the apple mixture layer and bake.
• Use fresh apples when in season. Canned apples, homemade apple filling, or store-bought (like I use) work too for many fall recipes. Fresh apples pair well with sugar and cinnamon if you just toss apple slices in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Booze it up! For the adults-only party, add a splash of bourbon to the apple pie filling.
• More butter. Add cubed butter before sprinkling the dry cake mix. It adds tons of buttery flavor. But don’t add too much so the cake isn’t soggy.
• You can use apple pie spice which is often the mix of ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom. You can make your own by simply whisking all the spices together in a small mixing bowl and it can last forever on the shelf.
• Mini apple cobblers. You can use ramekins to bake each portion individually. It will take a bit more time but looks amazing.
• Add more fruits. Apples go well with plum, berries, and pears in cobbler recipes.
• Try this perfect fall dessert with spice cake mix, a scoop of ice cream when serving, or top with more juicy apples. 

Gina’s Tips For Making This Homemade Apple Cobbler Recipe

• If you’re using fresh apples, drizzle some lemon juice over the slices to keep them from browning and oxidation. It is a universal hack for all apple desserts. Some people don’t like just the lemon juice residual taste, so what you can also do is mix apples with lemon juice, vanilla extract, and maple syrup or honey in a large mixing bowl.
• Fresh apples don’t have to be peeled for fruit pies and fruit desserts unless you pick apples with tough and very sour skin (Granny Smith can be like that). If you will peel apples, slice apples after you peel the skin and remove the core.
• If you want to add sugar to the mix, I suggest using light brown sugar. It has a subtle caramel flavor and isn’t too sweet. However, you should taste it first, as boxed cake mixes usually have sugar already.
• If making batter from scratch, you think it is too dry and cakey, you can add a splash of apple juice.
• When using a cake mix you can add a splash of sprite to imitate the baking soda effect and make the cobbler fluffy.

Popular Questions

What Is The Difference Between Apple Cobbler And Apple Crumble?

Both Apple cobbler and apple crumble recipes have no bottom crust, but the main difference is what is used to top the desserts. Apple cobbler is topped with batter, biscuit dough or cake mix, while apple crisp or crumble is often topped with just streusel crumble topping.

Why Is It Called Apple Cobbler?

Cobbler desserts come from British settlers and it is not exactly clear why it is called cobbler it may be because the top of the cake looks like a cobbled street.

What Is The Difference Between Apple Pie And Cobbler?

The main difference between an apple cobbler and an apple pie is that pies have a bottom crust while cobbler recipes never have a bottom crust layer only a top.

Why Is My Cobbler Soggy?

The juices from fresh apples or apple pie filling can soften the texture and the cobbler will fall apart. To fix it, use a bit of cornstarch in the filling to thicken it and drain excess liquids from the apples. 

If you love this cozy fall dessert recipe, you’re going to love these other fall favorites too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

More Apple Desserts

Mini Apple Pies

Apple and Cinnamon Cake

Apple Pie Bars

Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling

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