Apple Pie Cake Recipe

Apple Pie Cake - Southern Living — Photo:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Prep Time:

15 mins

Bake Time:

45 mins

Cool Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 30 mins

Servings:

Love apple pie but don't feel like fussing with pie dough? Try this delicious dessert mash-up: apple pie cake. It features spiced Granny Smith apple slices, sweet and nutty streusel, and a tender layer of cake.

This apple pie cake tastes wonderfully homemade, but it's even easier to pull off thanks to a white cake mix. The key to making a cake mix taste like a made-from-scratch batter is to use butter and milk (instead of oil and water). For this recipe, it's also a good idea to beat the cake mix for a few minutes with a hand mixer rather than just stirring the ingredients together with a spoon. This gives the batter more structure, which helps the cake form a nice base at the bottom and prevents the apple slices and pecan streusel from sinking.

Serve slices of this apple pie cake warm, topped with scoops of vanilla ice cream, for your new favorite fall dessert.

Ingredients for Apple Pie Cake

With toasted pecans, light brown sugar, melted butter, apple pie spice, and Granny Smith apples, you know this cake is going to be good. To make this apple pie cake, you'll need:

Cooking spray: To grease the baking pan to prevent the cake from sticking.
Chopped toasted pecans: Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the cake. Can substitute with other types of nuts, if preferred, including sliced almonds or chopped walnuts.
Packed light brown sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture to the cake, along with a subtle molasses flavor.
Melted butter: Adds richness and flavor.
Apple pie spice: Adds warmth and depth to the cake. Can substitute with a combination of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice or ginger if needed.
Granny Smith apples: Tart, firm apples that hold up well during baking.
Fresh lemon juice: Helps round out the tart flavor of the apples, while keeping their color intact.
Classic white cake mix: Such as Duncan Hines (or any preferred brand) for a shortcut cake base.
Whole milk: For a moist, tender crumb.
Large egg whites: Helps give the cake its light, fluffy texture and keeps the color of the cake light.

What are the best apples for baking?

We love Granny Smith apples in this cake. Their tart flavor pairs well with brown sugar and spices, and their firm texture holds up well during baking. Other apples that bake up nicely include Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Braeburn, Fuji, Pink Lady and more. When it comes to baking with apples, try to choose varieties that are firm in texture, with a balanced flavor that isn't overly sweet.

How To Make Apple Pie Cake

A base made with white cake mix means this cake comes together with just 15 minutes of prep time. But don't let that fool you—it's just as rich and comforting as any homemade version. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Prepare oven and baking dish: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray to coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
Step 2. Make pecan mixture: Stir together pecans, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter, and 1/4 teaspoon apple pie spice; set aside.
Step 3. Make apple mixture: Stir together apples, lemon juice, and remaining brown sugar and pie spice; set aside.
Step 4. Make cake batter: Beat cake mix, milk, egg whites, and remaining melted butter on low speed for 1 minute, then medium speed for 2 minutes.
Step 5. Add cake batter to baking dish: Pour batter into baking dish. Top evenly with apple mixture, then pecan mixture.
Step 6. Bake cake: Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes, covering with foil after 40 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Variations for Apple Pie Cake

To change up the flavor and mix-ins for this apple pie cake, here are some ideas to help get you started:

Amp up the spice: If you love a heavily-spiced cake, feel free to increase the quantity of apple pie spice as desired, or swap with cardamom, chai or other spices for a unique twist.
Dark brown sugar: For more notes of molasses and caramel, swap the light brown sugar for dark brown sugar.
Swap the pecans: Pecans can be substituted with walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, or any type of nut you prefer. If going nut-free, swap with pumpkin seeds or rolled oats. You can also top with a traditional streusel for a crunchy addition.
Toppings: Top the baked cake with a drizzle of caramel, maple or rum glaze, or a dusting of powdered sugar for a sweet finish.
Double the fruit: Pair the apples with fresh or frozen cranberries, diced pears, or raisins for an extra-fruity touch.

How To Store and Serve Leftover Apple Pie Cake

Store leftover apple pie cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also refrigerate the cake for up to five days, or freeze for up to two months. Wrap individual slices for quick thawing. Bring to room temperature or warm before serving.

Consider serving this cake with a dollop of homemade whipped cream—whether a vanilla, brown sugar-and-ginger, or cinnamon version—a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or drizzle of caramel sauce for a final flourish.

More Apple Dessert Recipes You'll Love

You can never have too many apple dessert recipes on hand, especially when apple season is in full force. From cakes to pies, fritters, or dumplings, these apple dessert recipes will make good use of that fall bounty:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

Cooking spray
1 cup chopped toasted pecans
1 cup plus 3 Tbsp. packed light brown sugar, divided
1/4 cup plus 1/3 cup melted butter, divided
1 1/4 tsp. apple pie spice, divided
2 lbs. Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into 1/4-in.-thick slices
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
1 (15.25-oz.) pkg. classic white cake mix (such as Duncan Hines)
1 cup whole milk
3 large egg whites

Directions

Prepare oven and baking dish:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Make pecan mixture:

Stir together pecans, 1 cup of the brown sugar, 1/4 cup of the melted butter, and 1/4 teaspoon of the apple pie spice in a medium bowl until well combined; set aside.
Make apple mixture:

Stir together apples, lemon juice, and remaining 3 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 teaspoon apple pie spice in a large bowl until apples are completely coated; set aside.
Make cake batter:

Beat cake mix, milk, egg whites, and remaining 1/3 cup melted butter with a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment on low speed for 1 minute. Increase speed to medium, and beat 2 more minutes.
Add cake batter to baking dish:

Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Arrange apple mixture evenly over batter. Sprinkle pecan mixture evenly over apples.
Bake cake:

Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes, covering with aluminum foil after 40 minutes to prevent excessive browning. Transfer to a wire rack, and cool 30 minutes before serving or cool completely. Store tightly covered at room temperature up to 2 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is apple pie cake different from apple pie or apple cake?

Apple pie cake calls in the flavors of apple pie, with sliced apples and a nutty streusel topping, but with a cake base instead of a pie crust.
Do you have to peel the apples for apple pie cake?

While we recommend peeling the apples for the most consistent texture throughout the cake, it isn't necessary if you prefer not to.
What toppings go well with apple pie cake?

Top this apple pie cake with whipped cream, ice cream, or caramel sauce. You can also frost the cooled cake with cream cheese frosting, or dust lightly with powdered sugar for a pretty presentation.
Can I bake apple pie cake in a different pan size?

While this cake can be baked in two smaller cake pans, the baking time will need to be adjusted.