This 5-Ingredient Oven Baked Apple Dessert is a simple, cozy treat that turns everyday ingredients into a warm and comforting dessert. Tender apples bake beneath a buttery, sweet topping until golden and bubbling, creating a homemade dessert that tastes like the perfect combination of apple pie and old-fashioned fruit crisp.
With only five main ingredients and minimal preparation, this easy apple dessert is ideal for busy weeknights, Sunday dinners, holidays, or whenever you have apples waiting in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 5 simple ingredients
- Quick and easy preparation
- No pie crust required
- Warm, buttery, and comforting
- Perfect for fall and holiday baking
- Great way to use fresh apples
- Delicious served warm with ice cream
- Family-friendly and budget-friendly
Ingredients
1. Apples
Choose firm apples that hold their shape during baking. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or a combination can all work well.
2. Yellow Cake Mix
A boxed yellow cake mix creates the sweet, buttery topping with almost no effort.
3. Butter
Melted butter adds richness and helps the cake mix become golden and crisp while baking.
4. Brown Sugar
Brown sugar adds sweetness and a subtle caramel flavor that pairs beautifully with baked apples.
5. Ground Cinnamon
Cinnamon gives the dessert its classic warm apple-dessert flavor.
How to Make 5-Ingredient Oven Baked Apple Dessert
Step 1: Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Prepare the Apples
Peel the apples if desired, then remove the cores and slice them into thin, even pieces.
Arrange the apples evenly in the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Add the Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the apples.
Gently toss the apples in the baking dish or stir them in a bowl first to coat them evenly.
Step 4: Add the Cake Mix
Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the apple mixture.
Do not prepare the cake mix according to the box directions. Use it dry, directly from the package.
Step 5: Add the Butter
Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the dry cake mix.
Try to distribute the butter across as much of the surface as possible.
Step 6: Bake
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for approximately 40–50 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.
The edges should be bubbling and the top should look lightly crisp.
Step 7: Cool Slightly and Serve
Allow the dessert to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
This gives the apple filling time to settle while keeping the dessert warm and spoonable.
Tips for the Best Baked Apple Dessert
Slice the Apples Evenly
Uniform slices cook at approximately the same rate, preventing some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain firm.
Don’t Prepare the Cake Mix
The cake mix should be sprinkled over the apples while still dry. Adding the liquid listed on the cake-mix package will change the recipe completely.
Spread the Butter Evenly
The melted butter helps turn the dry cake mix into a golden topping. Try to drizzle it over the entire surface.
Choose Firm Apples
Very soft apples can break down too much during baking. Firm varieties generally provide the best texture.
Let It Rest
Give the dessert several minutes to cool before serving. The filling will thicken slightly as it rests.
Easy Variations
Add Chopped Pecans
Sprinkle chopped pecans over the cake mix before adding the butter for a crunchy topping.
Use Spice Cake Mix
Replace the yellow cake mix with spice cake mix for an extra autumn-inspired flavor.
Add Nutmeg
A small pinch of nutmeg complements the cinnamon and apples beautifully.
Add Vanilla
A splash of vanilla extract can be tossed with the apples for additional flavor.
Make It Extra Caramel-Like
Add a little extra brown sugar to the apples for a deeper caramel flavor.
What Apples Are Best?
Different apples produce slightly different results.
Granny Smith: Tart and firm, providing a nice contrast to the sweet topping.
Honeycrisp: Sweet, crisp, and excellent for baking.
Gala: Mildly sweet and readily available.
Fuji: Naturally sweet and firm.
You can also combine two or three varieties for a more complex apple flavor.
What to Serve With Baked Apple Dessert
This dessert is delicious by itself, but it becomes even more special when served warm with a topping.
Try it with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
- Powdered sugar
- Chopped pecans
- A drizzle of vanilla glaze
A scoop of vanilla ice cream slowly melting over the warm apple dessert makes an especially delicious combination.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can prepare the apple mixture several hours ahead of time and refrigerate it.
For the best topping texture, add the dry cake mix and melted butter shortly before baking.
You can also bake the dessert earlier in the day and gently reheat it before serving.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow the dessert to cool and cover the baking dish tightly.
Refrigerate leftovers for 3–4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in a 325°F oven until heated through.
Can You Freeze This Apple Dessert?
Yes, although the topping may become somewhat softer after freezing and thawing.
Allow the dessert to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.
Freeze for up to 2–3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to peel the apples?
No. Apple peels can be left on if you prefer a more rustic dessert.
Can I use canned apples?
Yes. If using canned apple pie filling or canned apples, drain excess liquid if necessary and adjust the added sugar because canned fillings can already be sweetened.
Can I use another cake mix?
Yes. White cake mix, spice cake mix, or butter cake mix can all create slightly different versions.
Why is my cake topping still powdery?
This usually happens when the butter does not reach enough of the dry cake mix. Drizzle the butter as evenly as possible across the entire surface.
Can I make this in a smaller pan?
Yes. An 8-by-8-inch or 9-by-9-inch pan can be used for a smaller batch, although the baking time may vary.
5-Ingredient Oven Baked Apple Dessert at a Glance
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 40–50 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: 8–10
Oven Temperature: 350°F (175°C)
Ingredients
- 6 medium apples, peeled and sliced
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples.
- Place apples evenly in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over the apples.
- Spread the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the top.
- Drizzle melted butter over the cake mix.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes, until the apples are tender and the topping is golden.
- Cool for about 10 minutes.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or your favorite topping.
Final Thoughts
This 5-Ingredient Oven Baked Apple Dessert is an easy way to create a warm, comforting homemade treat without making a complicated pie crust or preparing an elaborate filling. Sweet apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, buttery cake topping, and the warmth of the oven come together to create a dessert everyone will want another serving of.
It is simple enough for an ordinary family dinner and special enough for holidays and gatherings. Keep this recipe handy whenever you need an easy apple dessert that delivers plenty of cozy, old-fashioned flavor.