Wondering what to do with a ton of apples? Learn how to make apple cobbler with cake mix using this easy recipe. It’s the best time of year for easy apple desserts! Quick to prep in just 10 minutes!
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Easy cobbler recipe using fresh apples - perfect to make after a trip of apple picking.
- Perfect fall dessert that is quick to make - like our air fryer apple fritters!
- Uses fresh, seasonal fruit - just like our nectarine cobbler and gluten-free blackberry cobbler.
- Simple ingredients bursting with fall flavors of cinnamon and apple.
- Homemade apple cobbler is a delicious dessert!
- Easy apple cobbler recipe - just like our cake mix cobber with peaches!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
Apples are one of the main ingredients. Look for juicy, in-season, fresh apples.
Granny Smith apples are the best apple for apple cobbler. They provide a tartness that offsets the sweetness of the cake mix.
The apples shown above are called Rambo apples.
Yellow cake mix provides the flour base of this cake mix apple cobbler. Spice cake mix or white cake mix work as substitutions.
Cinnamon provides warmth and further enhances the flavors present in apple pie. Pumpkin spice is a great alternative to use.
Unsalted butter provides fat and moisture to the dish. You can add in some milk if the crumble seems too dry.
Taste and Texture
The taste of apple cobbler with cake mix combines the classic flavors of fresh apples with the sweetness of cake mix.
Unlike apple pie which uses pie crust, this recipe has a structure that is more like an apple crisp, but with a softer, cake-like base texture instead of a crunchy apple crumble topping.
The texture of the cobbler is a mix of sweet and tender apples, mixed with a cake-like cobbler topping. It tastes very similar to apple cake.
How to Make This Recipe
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Step 2 - How to cut apples for cobbler.
Peel the apples and wash the outside skin. Use an apple cutter to make large wedges, and then cut the wedges into small, diced squares.
Alternatively, cut the apples into very thin slices. Use a mandolin for even, thin slices.
Step 3
Spray an 8X8 baking dish with cooking spray. Place the apples into the prepared dish.
Sprinkle apples with ½ tablespoon cinnamon and stir gently.
Step 4
Melt a stick of butter in the microwave in 30-second increments until melted.
Step 5
Place cake mix and remaining cinnamon into a large bowl. Pour melted butter into the cake mix and stir until the cake mix is well-moistened.
If the mixture seems to dry, add a very small amount of milk to moisten it.
Step 6
Gently press the crumble topping over the apple filling. Bake for 30 minutes or until the top of the cake mix is golden brown.
Expert Tips
How to Serve and Eat Apple Pie Dump Cake
Allow it to rest for about 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
Serve and eat it warm or cold.
Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce.
How to Store and Freeze Cake Mix Apple Cobbler
Store apple cobbler with cake mix in an airtight container or the baking pan covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Once the cobbler has been baked and cooled to room temperature, use a freezer-safe container to freeze for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Apple Cobbler
Place the pan in an oven preheated to 350F and bake for about 10 minutes or until heated.
Reheat leftovers in the microwave for increments of 30 seconds until heated through.
Other Tips
- To make this cake mix cobbler gluten-free, use a gluten-free box cake mix like Betty Crocker Gluten-free Cake Mix.
- Double the recipe by baking it in a 9X13-inch pan.
- Select fresh, tart apples. Fall is a great time to visit the apple orchard and make a simple dessert like cake mix apple cobbler.
- Peel the apples for the best texture and consistency.
Recipe FAQs
Apple pie filling can be used in this apple cobbler cake mix. However, it will make the recipe much sweeter, potentially too sweet for some.
I prefer the balance between a tart apple and a sweet cobbler crust. Using fresh fruit versus using a can of apple pie filling makes this recipe fresh and delicious.
Similar to some of our other best desserts with apples like this easy apple crisp or healthy apple pie, Granny Smith is the best apple to use for baking cobbler.
Granny Smith apples help to balance the sweetness of the cake mix.
The biggest difference is the crust. Apple cobbler has a biscuit-like top, while cobbler is more crispy and generally uses oats for a crunchy texture.
You do not have to cover a cobbler during baking. During baking, if you notice it starting to brown too much, you may cover it with foil.
When storing apple cobbler, cover it with plastic wrap or foil, or use an airtight container with a cover.
No. Pie crust is made from pastry, while cobblers use a biscuit-like topping. Generally, pies have two crusts, while cobblers have one.
You can serve apple cobbler warm or cold. Fresh from the oven and topping it with ice cream or whipped cream is the perfect dessert for a cool fall day.
Alternatively, apple cobbler with cake mix can be served cold the next day. Top it with some Greek yogurt for a tasty breakfast.
Other Apple Recipes You Will Love!
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Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix
Equipment
- 1 8X8 Baking pan
- coconut oil spray
Ingredients
- 6 fresh apples
- 1 stick butter
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon divided
- 1 box yellow cake mix select gluten-free if needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Wash, peel, and slice or dice fresh apples. Sprinkle with ½ tablespoon cinnamon. Place apples into an 8X8 baking dish sprayed with coconut oil spray.6 fresh apples, 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- Place butter into a large bowl. Melt butter in the microwave in 30-second increments or until melted. Stir in cake mix and remaining cinnamon.1 stick butter, 1 box yellow cake mix, 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- Use a fork to mix cake mix with butter until mixture represents clumps of wet sand.
- Press cake mix mixture onto the top of the chopped apples to create a crust.
- Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until the cobbler is bubbling and the top is lightly browned.
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