2-Ingredient Apple Cake
Also Known as Apple Dump Cake
This delicious 2-ingredient apple cake couldn’t be any easier, and it’s such a deliciously comforting treat! All you have to do is combine a couple of ingredients and pop it into the oven. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have a wonderful dessert!
Quick and Easy Cake Mix Apple Cake Recipe
I don’t count the frosting or added spices as part of the 2 ingredients because you don’t have to add them. But even if you do, that’s only 4 ingredients.
Ingredients
The only things you need to make this cake are cake mix and apple pie filling. I used gluten-free yellow cake mix. You can use regular cake mix, but if you have sensitivities to gluten or wheat, you’ll want to follow a gluten free apple cake recipe.
Here is what you need:
- 1 yellow cake mix (regular or gluten free)
- 2 cans apple pie filling (21 ounce cans)
That’s all you have to have. However, if you want more flavor and texture, add a dash of cinnamon to the mix and frost it after it cools. I like cream cheese frosting.
If you want to print this recipe, you’ll find a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Directions
Combine a yellow cake mix with a couple of cans of apple pie filling. Mix it well to make sure all of the cake mix is moist. You don’t want any dry particles of cake mix showing up.
Pour the mixture into a greased pan and smooth it out as much as possible across the top. Now all you have to do is bake it until it’s done.
The consistency is different from a traditional cake. It’s more moist, which I think is a good thing. Someone told me this is an apple cake pie.
If you decide to frost the cake, use either canned frosting or this insanely delicious cream cheese frosting from the Back to My Southern Roots blog. I’ve found that all of the recipes from Back to My Southern Roots are wonderful. It’s my friend Julie’s blog, and she is as much of a foodie as I am.
Or you might want to check out this Frosting 101 page from Cooking with Carlee. She has a variety of frosting ideas that all look amazing!
Tips for Making the Best Apple Cake
This is a super easy dessert, but you can give yourself an advantage by following these easy tips:
- Don’t forget to prep the pan or baking dish before you begin. Otherwise, the cake will probably stick to the bottom.
- Mix the ingredients well. If you don’t, you’ll wind up with some powdery bites that aren’t appetizing.
- This is a form of dump cake, so don’t expect to have the consistency of a traditional cake. It will be quite moist.
- This cake is wonderful as-is with a cup of coffee. Add frosting for special occasions.
- Don’t rush the cooling time before putting frosting on top. Allow it to get close to room temperature.
- Be adventurous and try different toppings. You can drizzle caramel sauce over the top instead of frosting.
- Or you can top it with ice cream and drizzle the caramel sauce over that. Then sprinkle with crushed nuts.
What to Do with Leftover Apple Cake
Chances are, you won’t have much apple cake left since it’s so good. But if you do, cover it with either plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It’s fine to leave it out on the counter for a couple of days. However, if you want to keep it longer, put it in the fridge. You can also put it in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More 2 or 3 Ingredient Treats
There are other 2-ingredient cakes we enjoy. My favorite is this 2-ingredient peach cake that delivers a ton of flavor.
My husband prefers this 2-ingredient cherry chocolate cake. It’s so moist and decadent you might feel a tad guilty for enjoying it so much.
Another 2-ingredient cake we both like is this lemon cake that is a bit different from my other flavors. It has a slightly different consistency, so sometimes I cut rectangles and call them lemon bars.
Another wonderful treat is this 3-ingredient chocolate cake. It’s flourless so you can serve it to anyone wanting to avoid gluten. And it’s also easy to make.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
Don’t forget to add other options to the dessert table. Your family and guests will love this luscious lemon meringue pie.
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like this Oreo pudding pie. It’s a no-bake recipe that you can make in advance, freeing up your time to do other things.
No Bake Caramel Crunch Bars are fun to make and eat! If you have kids or grandkids, they’ll love helping with the process.
If you like brownies, and you like peanut butter … well, you’ll love these wonderfully tasty peanut butter cup brownies!
Fans of a blend of tart and sweet will love this delicious lemon lush pie. It has just the right amount of tangy flavor to make your taste buds very happy.
Quick and Easy Dessert
This delicious apple cake is such a delicious sweet treat! The ingredients are shelf stable, so you can keep them on hand for a snacking or dessert emergency.
2-Ingredient Apple Cake Recipe
When you need an easy-to-make dessert, this 2-ingredient apple cake is perfect.
Ingredients
- 1 yellow cake mix (regular or gluten-free)
- 2 cans of apple pie filling (21 ounce cans)
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon (optional)
- Cream cheese frosting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the inside of a 9”x13” baking pan or casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix and both cans of apple pie filling. Stir until mixed. If you want to add cinnamon, sprinkle the cinnamon over the mixture and stir again.
- Turn the mixture out into the baking pan. Spread it out until it is evenly distributed.
- Bake for 35 minutes. Serve warm. This cake is delicious alone, topped with ice cream, or with whipped cream.
Notes
If you want to frost this cake, allow it to cool before you spread cream cheese frosting over the top.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 206Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 339mgCarbohydrates 46gFiber 1gSugar 27gProtein 2g
The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.
I love the idea of the cake and it looks so good! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday,461 and hope you are having a great week!
Miz Helen
You don’t need to follow the cake mix directions or add any eggs ?
Correct. You don’t need to follow the directions on the box or add eggs. All you need are the cake mix and the pie filling. I remember wondering the same thing when I first made this. It’s amazingly easy–almost too easy. I’ve also tried different types of frosting, and we think the cream cheese frosting is best. I also like it without frosting and just adding whipped cream. It balances the cake with a light touch.
I plan to try this–but cut recipe in half!
Sounds good! I’ve done that many times since I cook for just my husband and me. I hope you enjoy it!
I used 1 box of Jiffy yellow cake mix & 1 can of apple pie filling. It was awesome!
What size pan? 9×13
Could you make it in layers?
Hi Janet. Yes, I recommend a 9×13 pan. This cake is very moist and dense, so I probably wouldn’t make it in layers. However, if you do it, please let me know how it turns out! Thanks!
Can you use a spice cake with the apples?
Hi Teri, yes, you absolutely can. In fact, I think that would be even better. The reason I don’t is that I have to make mine gluten-free, and I haven’t found a GF spice cake mix. I hope you enjoy this recipe. It’s one of our favorites!
@southernhomeexpress, I always use a spice cake mix….tastes great !!!
Would this recipe work with sugar-free cake mix and pie filling sweetened with splenda?
Hi Su. What a great question! I’m not sure if it will work, but I think it would. I’ve never used sugar-free cake mix. However, I’ve used gluten-free, and it works just fine. If you decide to try it, please let me know how it comes out.
Tried this today. However I used Peach pie filling. Extremely moist more of a Cobbler texture than cake.
Hi Chris. I hope you enjoyed it! The texture is different, but I think it’s delicious!
Have you tried it as muffins? If so, did you change anything other than bake time?
Hi Jennifer. I haven’t tried it as muffins, but I bet it would be good. Please let me know how it turns out if you try it. I do have an apple muffin recipe that’s really good. Here’s a link to it: Apple Oat Muffins.
What size cake mix? A double layer or single layer?
Thank you!!
Hi Terry. This recipe calls for a standard cake mix that’s between 15 and 16 ounces. It’s the one that makes 24 cupcakes. I hope this helps!
How do you make it in a coffee mug? I know you said Apple sauce but what ratio?
Hi Laticha. I would use 6 tablespoons of cake mix, 3 tablespoons of applesauce, and 2 tablespoons of water. If you want a stronger apple cake flavor, add the apple pie spice. I’ve also added canned apple pie filling as well as chopped fresh apples for texture. Microwave it on high for 1 minute and let it rest before you eat it. You can add frosting, ice cream, or whipped cream as a topping. Enjoy!
I make this apple cake often….but I use a spice cake mix….and sometimes make a simple homemade caramel sauce to pour over the top as a glaze or make it thick enough to use as an icing !!! YUM !!!
Hi Marilyn! I bet the spice cake mix makes it wonderful! Unfortunately, I haven’t found a gluten-free spice cake. That said, I have added some wonderful spices to make my own spice cake version. And then caramel sauce! Yum! I would love that!
@southernhomeexpress,
Krusteaz Gluten Free Cinnamon Swirl Crumb Cake & Muffin Mix, 20 oz Box https://www.walmart.com/ip/655503468
Sounds good! I’ll try that!
I made your 2 Ingredient gluten-free Apple Cake today. I added cinnamon, as you suggested, and used the Insanely Delicious cream cheese frosting. It’s absolutely delicious! My wife has Celiac and she says it’s the best thing ever! I agree, and I’m not gluten-free. Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe.
Hi Mark, I’m so glad you and your wife enjoyed this delicious cake. It’s one of our favorite desserts too! Have you tried any of my other 2-ingredient cakes? They’re all so good!
I would love the measurements for the mug cake unless I missed it on here. I love a mug cake and apple would be delicious this time of year especially.
Thank you You so much
Hi Carolyn,
If you want to make a mug cake, follow the basic directions here: https://southernhomeexpress.com/mug-cake/. For an apple mug cake, I would cut up the apple chunks before adding them to the mug since they’ll be in such a small space. All of my recipe cards are at the bottom of the post, and there’s a “jump to recipe” button at the top of the post if you don’t have time to read the process.
Did anyone try this?
Mine is incredibly wet in the center … I baked an extra 10 minutes in 5 minute intervals.
Hi Nancy. That was smart to do. Since every oven cooks differently, it’s always a good idea to test it for doneness and finish cooking in short intervals. My last oven cooked hot, but my current one is pretty accurate.
I made this but only added 1 tin of pie apples which was plenty, you don’t say what size your tins of pie apples come in mine was 400gm, I also used a packet of carrot cake because that’s what I had it turned out very nice and would definitely make again with my variations, thanks for the recipe
Hi Gail. I use two 21-ounce cans of pie filling. I’m so glad you liked it! I would love it with carrot cake mix, but since I have to be gluten-free, I’m somewhat limited. But it sounds delicious!
@southernhomeexpress, If I only have one can of apple filling should I follow the Cake directions & just add apple filling?
Hi Tiffany. Some people have said that they only use 1 can of pie filling, but it’s not as moist as when you use 2. Instead of following all of the cake directions, perhaps you can simply add 1 egg. I’m not sure if you’ll get the same or similar results, but it should be good. Please let me know how it turns out.
How long do you bake this? I assume 350 degree oven. Going to try and maybe add nuts
Hi Cathy. 350Ëš F for 35 minutes. The complete directions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
I always added 3 eggs to the mix. Nice and rich.
This Apple Cake was Fantastic! Didn’t care to make the one with all the butter. I did butter the pan and halved the recipe using 1 1/2 cup cake mix and 1 can of filling. Mixed in about a teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkled with coarse sugar before baking. Great with whipped cream. Hubby loved it!
Hi Janie. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s also fun to see some of the tweaks you made to the recipe. This is something that I think makes the recipe even better!
Love, just love these quick and easy treats for family and friends.
Saw this awesome post at Full Plate Thursday.
My entries this week #35+36
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Love this cake but I used the spice cake mix I have and I I diced 2 fresh apples (1 Granny Smith and 1 fuji) Also only made half the recipe. It was so very good and of course used the cream cheese frosting. Thanks so much for positing.