In case it wasn't apparent by now...I really love fruit based desserts. There is something about the sweetness of a fruit mixed with the warmth and fluffiness of cake. Easy Apple Cobbler With Cake Mix simplifies the baking process by using a prepackaged cake mix! It's an easy way to make an impressive cobbler without extra time spent in the kitchen.

A serving of apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream on a white plate.

Recipe Ingredient Notes

Apples - See the tips below on choosing the best baking apples for your apple cobbler!
Brown sugar - Both light and dark brown sugar will have the desired effect. Try not to use plain white sugar, as a lot of the depth comes from the molasses in the brown sugar, but it'll work in a pinch.
Apple pie spice - If cake mix apple cobbler is all you plan on using this for, try mixing nutmeg and allspice instead. It's one less wasted spice in the back of the cabinet!
Boxed yellow cake mix - your preferred brand will work perfectly to make moist, crumbly apple cobbler with cake mix. Feel free to use white cake mix instead!
Butter - unsalted butter, if using salted butter omit or adjust the salt already listed in ingredients.

Ways to Enjoy Every Bite

For a complete dessert when serving apple cobbler made with cake mix, try adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream on top right before serving. The cold, creamy texture beautifully complements the warm, spiced apples and the buttery cake topping, creating a perfect balance of flavors and temperatures.

To elevate the presentation and add a bit of crunch, sprinkle a handful of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, over the whipped cream or ice cream. This simple addition will make your apple cobbler an irresistible and memorable dessert! To round out a perfect fall meal, serve this after a hearty walking taco casserole recipe. For a fun, festive touch, follow it up with a Halloween popcorn for a sweet and savory treat.

How to Bake Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix

A mixture of apples with cinnamon in a glass bowl.

Step 1: Grease a small Dutch oven or 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. In a medium mixing bowl, add the apple slices, brown sugar, spices, and salt. Stir well to combine, then transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Step 2: Rinse and reuse the same mixing bowl. Add the cake mix, milk, and melted butter. Stir well to combine until smooth.

Apple mixture in a Dutch oven and a bowl or cake batter in a glass bowl.

Step 3: Pour the batter mixture over the apples and spread it into an even layer using the back of a large spoon or an offset spatula.

Step 4: Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

What are the Best Apples for this Easy Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix Recipe?

It's best to use fresh, firm varieties because they will hold their shape even after simmering and baking. These "baking apples" won't crumble and break down into mush, so you can still get a tender bite!

Gala, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Jazz, Cortland, and the fan-favorite Granny Smith are all good choices.

Recipe Tips from Mrs. G

Use baking apples for the best texture.
Slice apples evenly.
Don't skip greasing the dish.
Don't overmix the batter.
Spread the batter gently.

Storing Leftovers

This apple cobbler with cake mix should be stored in the refrigerator. It'll last for 5 days, but is most delicious eaten within the first day or two.
To reheat leftovers, simply microwave servings in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second rounds until warmed through.

Two servings of apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream on a white plate.

Easy Apple Cobbler With Cake Mix

Renae Gerhardstein

This Easy Apple Cobbler recipe is made with sweet apples, brown sugar and spices, then topped with a fluffy cake topping.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Total Time 55

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Calories 346 kcal

Equipment

small Dutch oven or 3-quart casserole dish, or 9x13-inch baking dish
apple corer
peeler
cutting board
medium mixing bowl
large mixing spoon

Ingredients

5 large baking apples peeled, cored and cut into slices ¼-inch thick *See Notes
½ teaspoon apple pie spice or ¼ teaspoon nutmeg and ⅛ teaspoon allspice
¾ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
15 ounces yellow cake mix
¾ cup milk or non-dairy substitute such as cashew or almond milk.
6 tablespoons melted butter 6 tablespoons = 3 ounces, ⅓ cup, or ¾ stick

Instructions

Prepare a Dutch oven by greasing the inside with butter or non-stick cooking spray. Alternatively, use a 9x13-inch glass baking dish. Set aside.
To a medium-sized mixing bowl, add apple slices, brown sugar, spices, and salt. Stir well to combine.
Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish. Rinse out your mixing bowl with water so you can reuse it - one less dirty dish to wash!
To the now empty mixing bowl, add the cake mix, milk, and melted butter. Stir well to combine.
Pour the batter mixture over the apple mixture and use an offset spatula or the back of a large spoon to spread it out in an even layer.
Bake the cake mix apple cobbler at 350°F. for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Serve warm. If desired, top your dessert with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Notes

Baking apple varieties have a firm flesh that helps prevent it from breaking down too much during baking. Good options include Gala, Granny Smith, Cortland, Jazz, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious.
Be consistent with the size of your slices. There's nothing worse than biting into a hard, undercooked fruit filling! Prevent this by slicing the fruit into uniformly sized slices. They'll all cook at the same rate, and you won't have to worry about any unpleasant textures.

Recipe Variations:

Use a different cake mix: Swap the yellow mix with a spice cake mix for even more warm, cozy fall flavor. The spices in the mix pair beautifully with the apple filling.
Switch up your apples: Try tart Granny Smith apples for a tangy twist or go with sweeter varieties like Fuji. You can also use a can of apple pie filling instead of fresh apples if you're short on time-just skip the spices and sugar in the recipe since it's already seasoned.
Add a delicious topping: Top your cobbler with caramel sauce, chopped almonds, or a sprinkle of cobbler topping mix. Or mix things up entirely and use cherry pie filling in place of apples for a whole new fruity spin.

Storing Instructions:

This apple cobbler with cake mix should be stored in the refrigerator. It'll last for 5 days but is most delicious eaten within the first day or two.
Using a Dutch oven for this dessert is convenient because you can just stick the lid back on and slide it into the fridge! It's a ready-to-go airtight container.
To reheat leftovers, simply microwave servings in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second rounds until warmed through.

Keyword apple cobbler, apple desserts, cake