If you are craving a homemade dessert that's quick, comforting, and filled with warm autumn flavour, this 3-ingredient Apple Spice Cake is the kind of recipe you will want to keep close. It starts with a simple spice cake mix and a can of apple pie filling, creating a moist, fragrant cake that smells just like apple pie as it bakes - without any of the fuss or extra steps.
With only a few minutes of prep and a soft, sliceable texture thanks to the eggs, this is one of those dependable, no-fail desserts you can whip up anytime you need something sweet, cozy and easy.
This is a recipe that I have had in my Big Blue Binder for a very long time. This was something I had made a few times for my kids when they were growing up. Simple, quick and easy to make. I always had the ingredients in the larder which made it a dessert that was easy to throw together at the last minutes on a busy day when I didn't have a lot of time.
The local Walmart had spice cake mixes on offer a few weeks ago and I remembered this easy cake and so I picked one up. I thought it would be a nice dessert to have here in the house when Eileen got home from the hospital.
It couldn't be easier to make. Three simple ingredients . . . a spice cake mix, a tin of apple pie filling (which was on offer this week!) and some eggs are all it takes. The batter is really thick and you might despair that it is actually going to turn into a cake, but don't worry, it will turn into a beautiful cake. Soft and moist and loaded with lovely autumn flavours.
I did dust it with some icing sugar, thinking that it would dress it up a bit. I suppose you could make a cinnamon drizzle glaze icing for over the top if you wished. It would taste really good. A coffee icing drizzle glaze would also be nice.
We enjoyed it as is, simply cut into squares and topped with some vanilla ice cream, but softly whipped heavy cream would also be very nice. You could lightly spice it with some cinnamon if you wanted to.
This simple cake made for the perfect homecoming and reminded us of days gone by. A beautiful remembrance.
🍏🍰INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE
THREE INGREDIENT APPLE SPICE CAKE🍏🍰
Three simple ingredients, nothing more, nothing less.
- 1 box of spice cake mix
- 1 can (21oz/595g) apple pie filling
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
🍏🍰INGREDIENTS NOTES🍏🍰
Spice Cake Mix
The spice cake mix does all the heavy lifting here. It already contains cinnamon, nutmeg and warm autumn spices that make the cake smell like apple pie as it bakes. Because the mix is pre-balanced, there's no need to add extra seasoning or fuss with measuring. It gives the cake its structure and that beautiful, cozy flavour.
Apple Pie Filling
This is your moisture, sweetness and apple goodness all in one. The tender apple slices melt into the batter, keeping the cake incredibly soft and giving it that nostalgic apple-dessert feel. The filling also replaces the oil and water you would normally use to make a cake, making the recipe simpler and richer.
Eggs
The eggs bind everything together and help the cake bake up with a true cake texture - soft, sliceable, and not mushy like a dump cake. They give the batter lift and stability, making the finished cake easy to cut and serve. I used large eggs.
🍏🍰HOW TO MAKE THREE INGREDIENT APPLE SPICE CAKE🍏🍰
Nothing could really be easier.
- Preheat your oven to 350*F/180*C/gas mark 4. Butter a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. (I also lined the bottom of mine with some baking paper.)
- Whisk the cake mix and the eggs together until well combined. (I used my hand mixer for this.) The mixture should be smooth and lump free, but will be very thick. (This is as it should be.)
- Stir in the apple pie filling, combining well. (You can chop the apples up a bit with a pastry blender if you wish.)
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. (I use the back of a metal spoon to spread it out.)
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes. It will be done with the top springs back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Mine took about 40 minutes, but my pan was slightly smaller.)
- Let cool and enjoy, cut into squares. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream on top is very nice.
🍏🍰HINTS & TIPS FOR SUCCESS🍏🍰
Use a spice cake mix for the best flavour
The spice cake already has cinnamon and warm spices built in, so your cake comes out beautifully flavoured without adding anything extra.
Beat the eggs first
This helps the batter come together smooth, and gives the cake that soft slceable texture instead o a dump-cake feel.
Stir gently
Fold the apple pie filling in with a light hand so you keep those lovely cinnamony apple pieces intact - they make the cake extra moist and delicious.
No water needed
The apple pie filling provides all the moisture, so don't add water even if the cake mix box suggests it. The batter will be thick, but that is just right.
Check doneness with a toothpick
Every oven is a little bit different, so start checking around the 30 minute mark. I the toothpick comes out clean, your cake is ready.
🍏🍰FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS🍏🍰
DO I NEED TO ADD WATER TO THE CAKE MIX?
No, the apple pie filling provides all the moisture this cake needs. The batter will be thick, but bake up perfectly soft and delicious.
CAN I USE A YELLOW CAKE MIX INSTEAD OF A SPICE CAKE MIX?
Yes, you can, but add some cinnamon or pumpkin or apple spice mix to boost the flavours. You can also use my homemade spice cake mix, see recipe notes.
DO I HAVE TO ADD EGGS?
Yes, the eggs help to bind the batter and give the cake a true cake texture rather than a cobbler or dump-cake feel.
CAN THIS BE MADE AHEAD OF TIME?
Yes. It stores well in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days, and can be served cold, room temperature, or gently warmed. It also freezes beautifully for two to three months.
IS THIS THE SAME AS APPLE DUMP CAKE?
No, dump cakes usually skip the eggs and have a looser, cobbler-like texture. This recipe bakes into a soft, sliceable cake.
CAN THIS BE BAKED IN A LOAF TIN?
Yes, it can be baked as a loaf, although I have not personally done so. Use the loaf-tin timing on the cake box and check early for doneness.
CAN I CHOP THE APPLES SMALLER?
Yes, some bakers prefer smaller apple pieces. Pop the filling into a bowl and use a pastry cutter to gently break them down without turning them into mush.
CAN I ADD RAISINS OR WALNUTS?
Yes, you can add a few. They will give extra texture without affecting the bake too much.
🍰A FEW OTHER APPLE CAKE RECIPES TO ENJOY🍰
Tis the season! Here are a few other apple cake recipes that you might also enjoy!
AUTUMN APPLE CAKE WITH TOFFEE GLAZE - All that we love about Autumn baked into one beautiful dessert. Tender, moist, and filled with plenty of freshly grated Pink Lady apples for natural sweetness and richness. Once cooled, it's crowned with a glossy homemade toffee glaze that drips down the sides like pure caramel. To make it really special, add crisp, honey-kissed candied apple slices to the top. A simple touch that turns this cake into a stunning showstopper.
IRISH APPLE CAKE - An old favorite cake that is beautifully simple, old-fashioned and filled with tender slices of sweet-tart apple folded into a lightly spiced, soft crumb. A buttery base, juicy apple center, and crisp cinnamon-kissed streusel topping come together to create a dessert that feels humble, comforting, and timeless in the most delicious way. Every bite is moist, warmly spiced, and absolutely irresistible.
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Yield: Make one 9 by 13 inch cake
Three Ingredient Apple Spice Cake
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 35 MinTotal time: 40 Min
Three simple ingredients, one very delicious cake.
Ingredients
- 1 box of spice cake mix
- 1 can (21oz/595g) apple pie filling
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350*F/180*C/gas mark 4. Butter a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. (I also lined the bottom of mine with some baking paper.)
- Whisk the cake mix and the eggs together until well combined. (I used my hand mixer for this.) The mixture should be smooth and lump free, but will be very thick.
- Stir in the apple pie filling, combining well.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes. It will be done with the top springs back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool and enjoy, cut into squares. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream on top is very nice.
Notes
You can make your own spice cake mix:
Whisk together 3 1/2 cups (469g) cake flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 1/2 cups (340g) granulated sugar, 1/2 cup (85g) soft light brown sugar. Whisk in 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp each grated nutmeg and cloves.
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