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Home » Blog » Recipes

Easy Apple Spice Cake (A Cake Mix Based Recipe)

Published: Nov 5, 2020 · Updated: Jan 1, 2021 by Kara · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

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Insanely easy apple spice cake with only a few ingredients

apple spice cake with fork
Jump to Recipe -

This easy apple spice cake is so simple to make. It’s a cake mix based recipe, so it only takes a few ingredients and mixes together super fast.

This cake is amazing and doesn’t taste like a cake mix cake at all. Top it with cream cheese buttercream and everyone will love it.

apple spice cake with cream cheese buttercream pin graphic

Hey there! Before you scroll, there’s lot’s of important stuff in the post!…including the FAQ section, which may answer any questions you might have about this recipe. Enjoy!

You do NOT have to spend hours in the kitchen in order to create a really tasty fall cake.

This cake mix based recipe will give you a super moist cake that doesn’t taste like a cake mix and it comes together really quickly.

You can just add a glaze if you want, but cream cheese buttercream is amazing on this cake though.

apple cake in a sheetpan

Let’s Talk About Some of The Ingredients in this Cake:

Spice Cake: You’ll need a spice cake mix for this recipe. Starting with a cake mix is what makes this recipe super quick, easy and fail-proof.

Now sometimes spice cake mixes are hard to find, so if you can’t find one, you can use a yellow cake mix with some spice additions, which I’ll have for you in the recipe card below.

You also will not be adding in any of the ingredients that are listed on the back of the cake box, so just ignore the ingredients and instructions listed on the back of the box.

Apple Pie Filling: You’ll use an entire 21 oz. can of apple pie filling. Make sure it’s not just canned apples. It needs to be apple pie filling.

Eggs: You’ll need three large eggs for this cake.

Cream Cheese Buttercream: This is optional, but it’s SO good on this cake. You could also just use a cream cheese drizzle or glaze if you want to.

Note: You will only add in those three ingredients. You won’t be adding in anything else to make the cake, so don’t pay any attention to the instructions on the back of the cake mix box.

The recipe card close to the end of this post will go into all the ingredients and amounts.

slice of apple spice cake on a white plate

Mixing Method for this cake:

Ok, the mixing method for this cake is what I call the ‘dump it’ method. Seriously all you have to do is dump the ingredients and mix. That’s it.

Tips & FAQs for making the Easy Apple Spice Cake:

I can’t find a spice cake mix. What can I use?

You can use a yellow cake mix and then add in 2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ginger and ½ teaspoon cloves

What kind of apple pie filling should I use?

It probably doesn’t matter which brand, but make sure you get the large 21 oz. can of apple pie filling. You don’t want just plain canned apples. You want the actual pie filling.

fork in an apple cake on a plate

Ok let’s get to the recipe!

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

***I write recipes using volume (cups) measurements because here in the U.S., this is what people are used to seeing and using. For weight in metric measurements, click the ‘metric’ button under the ingredients in the recipe card. The weights are converted by a program, not me, and it’s a best guess. Please note that because I develop recipes using ‘cups’ I can’t guarantee that weighing the ingredients will produce the exact same results.

apple spice cake with fork

Easy Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream

This easy apple spice cake is so simple to make. It’s a cake mix based recipe, so it only takes a few ingredients and mixes together super fast.
4.47 from 28 votes
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple spice cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 15 servings
Calories: 203kcal
Author: Kara @I Scream for Buttercream

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 1 15 oz box spice cake mix (see notes for option if you can't find a spice cake mix)
  • 1 21 oz apple pie filling
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the cream cheese buttercream:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature (1 stick)
  • 1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
  • 3 cups confectioner's sugar (may add another cup if needed to thicken the buttercream)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (may add an extra teaspoon for even more flavor)
  • jar caramel topping (optional for drizzling on top)
US Customary – Metric
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Instructions

For the cake:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13×9 inch glass pan with baking spray.
  • In large bowl, add the dry cake mix, pie filling, eggs and vanilla. Mix for about 2 minutes. The batter will be thick. (Do not add any of the ingredients on the back of the cake mix box. Only mix together the dry cake mix, pie filling, eggs and vanilla.)
  • Spread the batter into the pan and smooth.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes. Cool cake before adding cream cheese buttercream.

For the cream cheese buttercream:

  • Mix your butter and cream cheese together in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Add three cups of confectioner's sugar and mix well.
  • Check your consistency. If the buttercream feels too thin, add another cup of confectioner's sugar. If it’s feels too thick, just add in a teaspoon of milk and mix again until smooth.
  • Spread the buttercream over the cooled cake. Optional: Drizzle with caramel topping.

Notes

*If you can’t find a spice cake mix, use a yellow cake mix and add in 2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ginger and ½ teaspoon cloves.
Store this cake covered in the fridge for no longer than a week.
Nutritional values are an estimate.
Make sure to check out the TIPS & FAQs for this recipe in the blog post, which may answer questions about substitutions & give other helpful tips.
*This recipe card may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition

Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 33mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 246IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
Some recipes have difficulty levels. What do they mean?Check them out here Difficulty Levels Explained
Baking at higher elevation?You’ll need to make adjustments for high elevations. This website does not specialize in that type of baking. Please take time to research high elevation baking websites for adjustments that should be made.
DisclaimersTo see food safety, allergy & nutrition disclaimers, go here: Disclaimers

How to Share

I’d love for you to share this recipe link or tag it, but please do not share screenshots or copy/paste the recipe to social media as the content and photographs are copyright protected and we (bloggers) work really hard on our content. Sharing the link, tagging us on socials and pinning it is super appreciated though!

Other Posts You Might Like:

  • Caramel Apple Toffee Cake
  • Apple Coconut Cake
  • Not Another Mushy Apple Pie
  • Farmhouse Cake
apple spice cake pin graphic
apple cake with spices and apples pin graphic
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Filed Under: Cakes, Frostings/Fillings, Recipes Tagged With: apple, buttercream, Christmas cakes and recipes, cinnamon, cream cheese, fall cakes and recipes, sheet cakes, Thanksgiving cakes and recipes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. DEBBIE CRANDALL

    February 26, 2021 at 8:42 am

    Can you make this cake as a 2 layer cake rather than a sheet cake.

    Reply
    • Kara Jane

      February 26, 2021 at 5:50 pm

      Yes, I think that should be fine. I haven’t tried it, but I can’t think of any reason why it wouldn’t work as a layer cake. I’d use two, 8″ round pans.

      Reply
    • Janie

      October 25, 2022 at 5:23 pm

      Made this very easy Apple Spice cake for dinner guests….oh my word, everyone loved it and asked to take some home. I did cut the apple pie filling chunks into smaller pieces. Definitely making again!!

      Reply
      • Kara

        October 26, 2022 at 5:53 pm

        Yay! So glad you liked it, Janie. That’s a good idea to cut the apple slices up.

        Reply
  2. Maria

    September 11, 2022 at 11:44 am

    Can you do as a Bundt cake.

    Reply
    • Kara

      September 11, 2022 at 6:35 pm

      I think it would work fine as a bundt cake, although I can’t be 100% though as I haven’t tried it that way. I’d probably turn the oven temp down to 325 though and bake it a little longer…that way it doesn’t overbrown.

      Reply
  3. Briante

    November 16, 2022 at 7:43 am

    Could this same recipe be used to make cupcakes?

    Reply
    • Kara

      November 16, 2022 at 10:43 am

      I haven’t tried this recipe out as cupcakes, but it might work okay. They may be denser and not quite as fluffy as normal cupcakes though, but you could try it. I’d bake them at 350 F, but start checking them at around 20 minutes although you may need to bake for a couple minutes more. Just check them with a toothpick to make sure they’re done.

      Reply

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Hi, I'm so glad you're here! Cake shows up at our most important and happiest moments in life, like birthdays, weddings, baby showers and holidays. It's also for those everyday moments...it makes them even better. Put simply, cake just makes us happy! I love trying out new cake flavor combinations and decorating ideas. Have a look around and I bet you can find a cake recipe or tutorial for any of life's big moments and those everyday moments too. Click here if you want to learn more about me!

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