If you are a fan of simple recipes, you will want to make this Easy 3 Ingredient Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Frosting. All you will need is a spice cake mix, apple pie filling, and eggs. Enjoy as is, add on whipped topping or frosting.
3 Ingredient Apple Cake
Most schools are back in session from summer break. Fall is arriving way too quickly. When summer comes to an end, we are all about the apple and pumpkin recipes here on my blog. I like to share quick and easy recipes that most anyone can make.
One of my popular recipes for fall happens to be our Apple Pie Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Frosting. They are popular with my family and on the web (They have been pinned 230K + times on Pinterest). I think they are so popular because they are so simple and they make for a perfect fall dessert.
When I was scrolling through my Facebook feed last week, I came across a video from Loves Bakes Good Cakes. She shared a simple recipe for a 3 Ingredient Apple Cake. I loved her idea. Easy and no huge list of ingredients. Just what I like!
I decided to use a spiced cake mix. I think the spice cake mixes complements the apple cinnamon and sugar spices so well. She topped her cake with a simple whipped cream. I think that would be great but the addition of the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Frosting made this cake over the top delish.
Like I said you can keep this cake simple by using just the 3 ingredients, cake mix, store bought apple pie filling, (or Homemade Apple Pie Filling) and eggs. Then just top with whipped cream. Or make this cake extra special with my brown sugar cinnamon frosting. It really takes the cake to whole other level.
INGREDIENTS
1 box Spice Cake Mix
20 oz Apple Pie Filling
4 Eggs
1 cup softened Butter
3 cup Powdered Sugar
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
2 tbsp Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven 350.
Grease 9×13″ cake pan.
Beat together cake mix, pie filling and eggs until well blended (there will still be chunks of apple).
Pour into prepared pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Allow to cool completely.
Whip butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla for until fluffy.
Gradually add powdered sugar.
Add milk until you reach desired consistency.
Spread frosting over cake.
Adapted from: Love Bakes Good Cakes!
Do you have a favorite 3 ingredient fall dessert?
3 Ingredient Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box Spice Cake Mix
- 20 oz Apple Pie Filling
- 4 Eggs
- 1 cup softened Butter
- 3 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 2 tbsp Milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350.
- Grease 9x13" cake pan.
- Beat together cake mix, pie filling and eggs until well blended (there will still be chunks of apple).
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow to cool completely.
- Whip butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla for until fluffy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar.
- Add milk until you reach desired consistency.
- Spread frosting over cake.
Nutrition
T. Gatewood
I made this cake yesterday!!! It is delicious!!! I did not add brown sugar to the frosting, due to other comments saying the frosting was gritty. I did add the cinnamon, though! It was great! I think you could also use a cream cheese frosting and it would be good!
Jamie S
Simple , awesome and tasty. Can this recipe be used to make cupcakes ???
Susan
I made this cake this morning for a get together at my sisters house. It was delicious! It was very moist and the icing was perfect for this cake. It was a very easy cake to make. I had to bake it for 40-minutes, it was perfect.
Dawn Hunter
Why was the frosting grainy and why do u want to use 2 cans of apple filling?
Judy Villiard
I made this over the weekend, and talk about easy!
And it’s delicious!!
But I’ll confess, I didn’t read the frosting directions entirely, or to be really honest I was in a hurry the get the frosting made so I could frost it and taste it.
It was grainy but due to my impatience…..still an excellent frosting!
I’ll follow correctly next time.
I’m wondering if we could use 2 cans of apple pie filling? Does anyone have any thoughts?
Christy
I baked the cake for 35 min. I skipped the brown sugar and it was a great cinnamon buttercream!
Kathy
This is so delicious! I have not cut into the cake yet just speaking now of the mixed cake batter and the mixed icing as I put it together. For everyone taking about the grainyness of the icing the issue is you did not mix it long enough. Brown sugar takes a little longer to incorporate and if your butter is not room temperature you will have a devil of a time. But I love dark brown sugar and the molasses flavor so I always use. I also let my butter and eggs sit out for a day before baking. Ina Garton tip that really helps.
Gina
Can this be made in a bundt pan? Please respond quickly as possible bc I really want to make it today!! ❤️
Gina DeMarco
Can this be made in a bundt pan? Please respond quickly as I really want to make this today!!
Susan
No matter how I crunch the numbers, there’s a lot more than 3 ingredients!
Linda Thompson
Just 3 ingredients for the cake, The other ingredients are for the icing,
Shellie Barkman
Loved this cake, made it for a “pig-out” at work. Everyone loved it. There was alot of frosting, and it was a little grainy, but it was very good tasting. If the grainy-ness bothers you, try melting it with water then continue with the recipe.
Kimmit
I was pleased to see this recipe as I used to make this cake and had forgotten about it. The cake is so simple and delicious. I was disappointed with the frosting- the brown sugar added a nice flavor element with the cinnamon, but didn’t dissolve, and made the frosting gritty. Next time I will try a little molasses for the flavor profile without the grit.
Nicole Beck
Made the cake and good amount of it sunk. Is this normal?
Gina DeMarco
I had to bake mine (just now) longer than what the directions say. The middle was still wet and the outside was done. It’s cooling now.
Alex
Do you follow the recipe with what is asked for on the box, or just make it with what is asked on here? I don’t see where the oil would go or if is left out.
Shellie Barkman
Do not make according to box
Tracie
I made this cake for my family. I used wheat flour and added fresh apple and apple sauce and also used coconut sugar instead of white sugar. It was a hit!
Cindy Ulanet
Hi does this cake need to be refrigerated because of frosting?
Thanks Cindy
Susan
“3 ingredients” caught my eye and I just HAD to try it! Didn’t expect much, but was I wrong!!!!! We skipped the frosting and served with whipped cream…. FIVE STAR all the way!!!!
Judith E Thompson
Beautiful looking cake and I’m sure it tastes very good, but it is too high in calories for me.
Jody
Super delicious without the icing! That shaves off a lot calories 😊
Precious
how can i substitute the milk with soy milk?
Carla Scheidecker
Love this cake! Next time making it I am leaving off your frosting,sorry didn’t care for it, and use a cream cheese frosting. Asking, can you use chocolate cake and cherry pie filling!?
Lisa E Doran
I figured the frosting wouldn’t be good but I don’t like whipped anything so when I make it I was gonna use cream cheese frosting.
Connie Kupfer
Cake was delicious, icing was horrible brown sugar caused it to be gritty.
Erica
Can they be made as cupcakes?
Eileen
I only have fresh apples (& applesauce if necessary). How should I modify this recipe to still make this delicious looking cake!
TY!!!
Patti
So easy and delicious. Frosting was enough to frost more than 1 cake.
Helen
Tried this and the only thing I did different was add 1 chopped apple. Turned out awesome.
Jamie
Hello Helen,
Just curious, when you said you just used chopped apples did that mean you didn’t add any of the other ingredients that were supposed to be added? So you followed the box and just added chopped apple to that? I love this idea, but the added sugar is too much for me.
Thank you,
Jamie
Teena
This works just as well with the light pie fillin.
L. Smith
What would the results be if you used 2 cans of pie filling? I would like more fruit, but am concern about the structure of the cake. Thanks
Jen
Hi! I have not tried with two cans. If you give it a try, be sure to let us know. I would think it would work. Have a great rest of your holiday weekend.
christine
you are correct…if you want more apples follow recipe as written and add I cup chopped apples.
Laura
I made this recipe a couple days ago. It was easy to make and delicious! I cut up the apples from the pie filling so they’d be scattered better in the batter and that was a good idea. I’d definitely make it again!!
Amy
I have made this cake numerous times and LOVE it so much it – only lasts maybe two nights in our house!
I’ve made it with yellow cake mix (adding some spices – cinnamon, etc) when I didn’t have a boxed spice cake on hand.
Have also topped/or mixed the frosting with chopped walnuts or pecans! So delicious!
Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Joan
Just curious, why is it called “3 Ingredient apple cake? I counted 8 or 9 ingredients.
Beanie
Because the cake IS 3 ingredients. The rest is the optional frosting recipe…
Amanda Horn
Agree! Even my inner used car salesman fell for this pitch. #NotCool
Robin St Jean
You only use the first 3 ingredients for the cake…the other ingredients are for the frosting
Cathy Ryan
So easy to throw together when you need a sweet treat in a hurry. Thanks for sharing your recipe. It came in handy during this pandemic when I couldn’t go shopping. Just happened to have the ingredients in the pantry.
Donna
Ii Am Making This Cake Right Now For Out Dessert Tonight!! Ii Know It’s Gonna Be Delicious.
Janet Smith
Please let me know how the icing turned out? I’m curious..
Donna Engel
Would it be good if you had a plain cake and not a spice cake mix?
Gina
This looks and sounds great! I’m thinking of making them into cupcakes, do you think that’ll work?
Monica Alvarez
What the heck this is not 3 ingredients!
Carol
The cake has 3 ingredients…..the remaining ingredients are for the frosting.
Vanessa Collier
Made this yesterday for Sunday dinner and it was a big hit. Everyone loved it, however my frosting had grit on Iike it was the brown sugar. Was that suppose to be like that?
Kat
Does this need to be refrigerated?
kristina
Do you prepare the cake mix as directed on the box or just use the ingredients that you’ve listed?
Jen
Hi Kristina! You will use just the ingredients I have listed. There is no need to use the items called for on the box. I hope that helps. Have a great day!
Nancy
What is sprinkled on the frosting?
Brown sugar and cinnamon?
Andrea
That’s what I’m wondering! I have the cake in Oven right now!! 😄
Sarah
This is super yummy!!! Luv this recipe!
linda sodrel
would like to put pecans in it or on the frosting
Trish
I love how you used a few shortcuts, but there’s still real butter and other ingredients that make such a difference! Pinning.
kristin salazar
Oh my goodness this looks amazing!
Emily @DomesticDeadline.com
The cake and frosting all sound amazing! I’m going to share this in my recipe round-up later this week. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Kat (The Baking Explorer)
I love apple cake and adding the frosting is just perfect!
Dagmar
All the best this cake I will love to do for my children the best that the apple does very well for the body.
susanne craig
hi jen thanks for your lovely recipes they easy and not expensive.wondered if the pumpkin and cream cheese dip can be made by cooking my own pumpkin and puraing until i found that we have store in my area that sells american ingredients as im in australia kindest regards susanne