Easy apple cobbler with yellow cake mix is the quickest easy apple cobbler recipe! It's a caramel apple dump cake with fresh apples, for that perfect fall flavor! You're gonna love this recipe for cobbler using cake mix!
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And if you like this apple cobbler using cake mix, you'll love my Cheesecake Mousse Cups, my Turtle Pie, and my collection of Smoothie Recipes Without Yogurt!
Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe with Yellow Cake Mix
If you're looking for a quick and easy fall or holiday dessert, look no further! This fresh apple cobbler recipe is made using yellow cake mix so it perfectly combines that made-from-scratch flavor with the simplicity of boxed cake mix!
It'll be your new favorite way to use fresh apples! If you've just come back from the farmer's market or the apple orchard with a big bag of apples, THIS is the recipe for you! It's the perfect fall dessert!
Jump to:
Caramel Apple Dump Cake with Fresh Apples
And the best part of this recipe? Besides the fresh apples, of course? It's gotta be the vanilla ice cream and caramel drizzle on top! It just complements the tartness of the apples perfectly and gives this apple cobbler recipe that amazing finishing touch.
If you like apple flavors in your baking, you might also like my Pumpkin Blondies with Apple Cider Glaze, my Instant Pot Apple Butter, or my Deep Dish Caramel Apple Pie! And for more of the best fall goodies, check out my list of the 36 Best Fall Desserts for your Seasonal Celebrations!
Ingredients
This is a simple semi-homemade apple cobbler recipe made with yellow cake mix! In addition to the box of cake mix, here are the simple ingredients you'll need:
- apples - I use a mixture of Granny Smith apples, Pink Lady, and Honeycrisp apples for this easy apple cobbler recipe. We want tender apples that will still keep their firmness.
- brown sugar - we'll use light brown sugar for this fresh apple cobbler to give it a rich sweetness!
- cornstarch - helps to thicken up our apple filling.
- cinnamon & nutmeg - I love this easy combination or warm spices for my apple desserts! If you can, grate fresh nutmeg with a Microplane -- it adds amazing flavor!
- butter - adds the perfect richness and flavor to this caramel apple dump cake! For this cake mix cobbler recipe, I prefer to use unsalted butter and add salt later.
- lemon juice - I definitely prefer freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- water - helps the filling to come together more easily.
- vanilla - for the best flavor, I like to use pure vanilla extract. Or you can make your own!
- salt - just a pinch to bring out the flavors in the filling!
- cake mix - this is what makes this such an easy dessert! You can use a vanilla or yellow cake mix, or even experiment with a spice cake! I used a 15.25-ounce yellow cake mix, which is my go-to for dump cake recipes. And for another yummy cake mix recipe, try my Valentine's Day Cake Pops!
- vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce - optional, but not really optional! Adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce takes this easy apple cobbler recipe to another level!
See recipe card below for ingredient measurements for this apple dump cake recipe!
Equipment
This is a very simple recipe -- you'll just need a 9x13 pan to bake it in, as well as a medium saucepan and mixing spoon to whip up your filling!
To peel my apples, I like to use this vegetable peeler from Amazon! And don't forget to check out my Amazon Storefront for more of my favorite kitchen must-haves!
How to Make Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix
Scroll down to the recipe card below for detailed step-by-step instructions for making this apple cobbler recipe, as well as full ingredient measurements and a recipe video! But here's a quick look at how you'll make it!
Peel and slice apples.
Heat apples, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, salt, and cornstarch in a medium saucepan about 5 minutes.
In a separate medium bowl, combine melted butter with cake mix until it forms a dry paste consistency.
Spread filling into a 9x13 baking dish in an even layer.
Crumble cake mix mixture over apple filling, sprinkle cinnamon on top and bake until golden brown!
Let your apple dump cake cool for a few minutes, and serve with a scoop of ice cream and caramel sauce.
Hint: This fresh apple cobbler tastes best shortly after baking, while he cobbler topping is a little crisp.
3 Ingredient Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix (Apple Dump Cake)
If you're in a major rush and don't have time to make your apple dump cake with fresh apples, you're in luck with this cake mix recipe!
You can just swap in apple pie filling! Just skip the filling steps and add two 21-ounce cans of apple pie filling to your pan. Top with the cake mix and butter mixture and bake as usual, and you've got an easy recipe for 3 ingredient apple cobbler!
Storage
You can store this caramel apple dump cake in the fridge in an airtight container, for up to four days. You can also freeze this fresh apple cobbler, well wrapped in plastic wrap and foil, for up to two months.
Frequently Asked Questions
This easy apple cobbler with yellow cake mix is a great way to use a yellow cake mix to its fullest potential! If you're bored with plain old yellow cake, adding fresh apples to make this apple cobbler recipe is the best way to make it better!
An apple cobbler is a dessert with a biscuit or pie crust topping over an apple filling and no bottom crust. An apple crisp topping, on the other hand, is more streusel-like, and it's often made with oats.
If you're a fan of fall and holiday goodies, you've got to check out my Halloween Graveyard Brownies, or my Vegan Gingerbread Loaf CakeOr for a protein boost, try my Protein Mug Cake!
For another yummy fall treat, you've got to try these pumpkin cream cheese crescent rolls! And for a yummy fall cocktail, check out my rum espresso martini recipe!
Top Tip
Don't slice your apples too thin or they'll lose their firmness while your caramel apple cobbler bakes! Aim for no thinner than ¼ of an inch.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this one? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this recipe:
If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
- mixing spoons
- vegetable peeler
Ingredients
- 6 medium apples - peeled and sliced ¼ inch thick (I like Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, or Honeycrisp)
- ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar - packed (if your apples are on the sweeter side, decrease to ⅓ cup)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup (59 ml) water
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cinnamon - plus more for topping
- ½ teaspoon (2 ml) ground nutmeg - freshly ground, if possible
- pinch salt
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1 (517 g) box vanilla cake mix - 15.25 oz
- ¾ cup (114 g) unsalted butter - melted
- Vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce - for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- Add apples, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, lemon juice, water, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to a medium saucepan and heat over medium high heat, stirring constantly.6 medium apples, ½ cup light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, ¼ cup water, 2 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, pinch salt, 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Simmer 5 minutes or until butter is melted, sugar is dissolved, and apples start to soften just a bit. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and set aside.1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- In a medium bowl, combine cake mix and ½ cup of melted butter. Stir until the mixture forms a crumbly paste.1 box vanilla cake mix, ¾ cup unsalted butter
- Pour apple filling into a 9x13 pan and smooth the top to even it out. Crumble cake mix mixture on top evenly and sprinkle additional cinnamon on top, if desired.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or unil topping is golden brown and filling is bubbling.
- Cool slightly before serving with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.Vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce
Video
Notes
Nutrition
10 cozy recipes. No stress. All the fall flavor.
Let’s make this your easiest, coziest baking season yet. Inside this ebook, you’ll get:
- 10 simple, foolproof fall dessert recipes
- Cozy flavors like pumpkin, chai, apple, and brown butter
- Step-by-step instructions made for beginners and busy bakers
- Bonus: fall flavor pairing guide and printable fall grocery list
Last Updated on September 14, 2025 by Chenée Lewis
J. Sones says
My family loved this!
Chenée Lewis says
Yay! That's great! Thank you!
Filena says
This came out great!! Definitely making again
Chenée Lewis says
Yay!! Thanks so much!
Marj says
This recipe was a big hit! Five stars!
Chenée Lewis says
Yay! I'm so glad!
Karen Oliver says
Made this one tonight! I love how simple the recipe is, but will add nuts or plain oatmeal to the cake crumble next time for additional texture. The apples definitely need to be chunky for the best result.