Easy Apple Cobbler (Cake Mix Recipe)

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Easy Apple Cobbler with cake mix and fresh apples is a simple, delicious dessert with tender apples, warm spices, plump cranberries, and a soft, cookie-like cobbler topping. Perfect fall dessert that is easy enough for lazy weekends and special enough for Thanksgiving.

For more easy apple recipes, try my Apple Pie Filling Recipe, Mini Apple Pies with Puff Pastry, and Gooey Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust.

cake mix apple cobbler on a white plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

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❤️Why You're Going to Love This Recipe
🍎Ingredients
🥣How to Make Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix
🏆Success Tips
🍦Toppings for Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix
❓FAQs
😋More Easy Recipes
💌Let's Stay in Touch
📖 Recipe

❤️Why You're Going to Love This Recipe

Turns a box of cake mix into a soft, fluffy cobbler topping
A mix of tart and sweet apples adds great flavor and texture
Easy dessert to make ahead for fall gatherings or holidays
Optional cranberries and walnuts add color, chew, and crunch
Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream for a cozy, comforting dessert

This easy Apple Cobbler Recipe with Cake Mix combines the warm and cozy flavors of apple pie with the convenience of a cake mix recipe. Unlike dump cake recipes, which call for pouring melted butter over dry cake mix, this recipe turns the cake mix into a soft dough that bakes into a tender cobbler topping similar to a soft cookie. It's a very simple recipe that's quick, comforting, and delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

If you have extra apples, dip them into Caramel Apple Dip or chop them up for Taffy Apple Salad! Or try Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples, Easy Apple Cake Recipe, or Cinnamon Apple Blondies Recipe.

🍎Ingredients

Fresh apples. Use a mix of sweet and tart apples like Gala, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith, cut into a variety of ¼-½-inch slices and chunks for the best flavor and texture.
Dried cranberries. Add tart flavor and a variety of textures. You could also use raisins or omit them altogether.
Cornstarch. Slightly thickens the apple filling.
Brown sugar. Adds rich molasses sweetness. You can also use white sugar.
Spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice create a warm apple pie flavor. Apple pie spice works too.
Box of yellow cake mix. Makes a buttery, vanilla-scented cobbler topping. Try white cake mix or spice cake mix for variation.
Walnuts. Add crunch and nutty flavor. You can also use pecans or almonds, or leave them out.
Sugar. Sprinkle turbinado or granulated sugar on top for a crunchy finish.

🥣How to Make Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix

chopped apples on a white cutting board.

Step 1. Peel, core, and chop the apples into a variety of ¼-½-inch pieces for chunky texture.

Step 2. In a large bowl, toss apples, cranberries, cornstarch, brown sugar, spices, and salt until evenly coated. Spread into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan.

cake mix and butter mixture in a white mixing bowl.

Step 3. Stir the cake mix and melted butter until crumbly, then mix in the milk until thick and slightly lumpy.

cake batter and walnuts on top of the apple mixture.

Step 4. Spoon the batter on top of the apples, flatten gently, and sprinkle with walnuts, if desired.

raw sugar sprinkled onto the partially baked cobbler topping.

Step 5. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the top with sugar, and bake for 30-45 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown, and the apples are tender. Cool for 30 minutes before serving warm.

Step 6. Serve cake mix apple cobbler warm with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of cinnamon whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

🏆Success Tips

Cut the apples into thin slices, about ¼" thick, and small chunks, no more than ½ inch thick, for a variety of textures in the filling.
Dried cranberries are optional, but they plump up during baking and provide a tart pop of flavor.
Raw turbinado sugar or granulated sugar gives the cobbler topping a satisfying crunch.

🍦Toppings for Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix

❓FAQs

How should I store apple cobbler?

Store leftover cobbler in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Can I freeze apple cobbler?

Yes. Freeze baked apple cobbler with cake mix in a freezer-safe container covered with a double layer of plastic wrap. Thaw in the refrigerator.

What is the best way to reheat apple cobbler?

Reheat apple cobbler with cake mix in a 350-degree oven until warmed through, about 20 minutes. You can also reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments, however, the cobbler topping will be softer.

What's the difference between apple crisp and apple cobbler?

Apple crisp and apple cobbler are very similar in that they are both baked apple desserts with a topping. The difference lies in the topping. Apple crisp has a streusel topping that is made with flour, sugar, butter, and sometimes oats. Apple cobbler has a softer biscuit-like topping.

How many apples do I need for 10 cups of chopped apples?

One medium apple yields ¾ to one cup of chopped apple. For 10 cups, plan on buying 12-13 apples to be on the safe side.

Can I use any type of apples for this cake mix apple cobbler recipe?

For best results, choose a variety of sweet and tart apples with a firm, crisp texture. Gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith apples all work well.

Is cake mix apple cobbler the same thing as an apple dump cake recipe?

No. Dump cake recipes involve sprinkling the dry cake mix over the fruit filling and drizzling melted butter on top, which results in a crisp topping. This recipe mixes cake mix with butter and a little milk for a softer cobbler topping that's kind of like a soft cookie.