3 Ingredient Apple Cake: So Easy!

Some days you just want dessert without turning your kitchen into a “Great British Bake Off” episode—minus the charming accents and polite applause. That’s where this 3 Ingredient Apple Cake swoops in like a culinary superhero. No complicated steps, no weird ingredients you’ll never use again (looking at you, cream of tartar), and no “resting the dough for three hours” nonsense.

It’s sweet, cozy, and basically foolproof. And if you do manage to mess it up, we might have to stage an intervention.

Why This Recipe is Awesome?

• It’s stupid simple. Like, “could make this while half-asleep” simple.
• Only three ingredients. I mean, if your grocery list is longer than a tweet, you’re doing it wrong.
• Low effort, high payoff. People will think you’ve been slaving away all day. You’ll nod graciously while hiding the fact it took you 10 minutes.
• No fancy equipment. You don’t need a stand mixer, food processor, or the approval of Gordon Ramsay.
• It tastes like fall in cake form. Even if it’s the middle of summer.

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Ingredients

• Apple pie filling (about 20–21 oz can) – You can make your own if you’re extra, but store-bought is totally fine.
• Box of yellow cake mix (about 15–16 oz) – Yes, we’re cheating. No, I’m not sorry.
• Eggs (2 large) – Because we’re pretending to be “real bakers” for 10 seconds.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Yes, do this first. Skipping it is like starting a road trip with no gas—pointless.
2. Grab a mixing bowl and dump in your apple pie filling. You can chop the apple chunks smaller if you like, but honestly, laziness is part of the charm here.
3. Crack in the eggs. Give them a quick whisk in the bowl with the apples until it looks like a vaguely sweet omelet.
4. Add the cake mix to the bowl. Stir until combined. Don’t overthink it—just make sure you don’t see any big dry patches of mix.
5. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. No need to get fancy with parchment unless you enjoy washing fewer dishes.
6. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Your house will start smelling like autumn exploded, in the best possible way.
7. Cool slightly before cutting. Or don’t, if you enjoy the molten-lava-mouth experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not preheating the oven. I already warned you. Don’t make me say it again.
• Overmixing the batter. This isn’t a CrossFit workout—gentle stirring is fine.
• Using expired cake mix. Unless you enjoy a subtle “cardboard” undertone in your cake.
• Forgetting to grease the pan. Enjoy chiseling out your dessert like an archaeologist.
• Subbing in sugar-free pie filling without adjusting – unless you really like the taste of sadness.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• Spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix → gives it a warm, cozy flavor that screams fall.
• Fresh apples instead of pie filling → you’ll need to sauté them with sugar and cinnamon first. It’s extra work, but worth it.
• Add-ins like chopped walnuts, raisins, or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top. (You overachiever, you.)
• Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on top → not required, but strongly encouraged.

FAQs

Q: Can I use gluten-free cake mix?

A: Yup. Just make sure it’s a one-to-one substitute. Your cake will still taste awesome.

Q: Can I make this in a smaller pan?

A: Sure, but watch the bake time—smaller pans mean thicker batter, which means more time in the oven.

Q: Can I use homemade pie filling?

A: Absolutely. But the whole point of this recipe is not doing extra work, so… your call.

Q: Can I make cupcakes instead?

A: Yes, but you’ll need to reduce the baking time to around 18–22 minutes. And you might feel morally obligated to frost them.

Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter for greasing?

A: Technically yes, but why hurt your soul like that?

Q: How do I store leftovers?

A: In an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5. Pro tip: it’s amazing reheated in the microwave for 15 seconds.

Related Recipe:

• Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe | Easy And Delicious
• Do Nothing Tornado Cake: The Easiest Recipe
• Easy Preacher Cake Recipe | Moist & Delicious

Final Thoughts

There you have it: 3 Ingredient Apple Cake—the dessert equivalent of a warm hug and a pat on the back for minimal effort. No complicated instructions, no “stiff peaks” or “tempering chocolate” nightmares, just pure, cozy deliciousness in under an hour.