This 3-ingredient oven baked spice cake dessert is the kind of easy fall treat I love keeping in my back pocket for busy weeknights, potlucks, and those moments when you want something warm and sweet without pulling out every baking tool you own. Using dry, unmixed spice cake powder right in the casserole dish keeps prep almost effortless, and the finished dessert bakes up soft, cozy, and full of that classic spiced flavor that feels perfect with cooler weather.
Serve this warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a spoonful of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce if you want to dress it up a little. It also goes really well with hot coffee, chai, or apple cider, and if you're bringing it to a gathering, a side of chopped toasted pecans lets everyone add a little crunch on top.
3-Ingredient Oven Baked Spice Cake Dessert
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 box dry spice cake mix
1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a medium oven-safe ceramic casserole dish.
2. Add the apple pie filling to the casserole dish and spread it into an even layer.
3. Sprinkle the dry spice cake mix evenly over the top of the apple pie filling without mixing it in.
4. Drizzle the melted butter as evenly as possible over the dry cake mix, covering most of the surface.
5. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling around the edges. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
6. Scoop into bowls and serve warm on its own or with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Variations & Tips
Nutty topping: For a little crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the buttered cake mix before baking. It adds a great texture contrast and makes the top feel a little more special.
Extra apple flavor: If you want more fruit in every bite, stir a diced fresh apple into the pie filling before adding it to the dish. I like doing this when I have an extra apple sitting on the counter that needs to get used up.
Even baking tip: Try to drizzle the melted butter across as much of the dry mix as possible so you don't end up with powdery spots on top. If needed, gently tilt the dish or use a spoon to help distribute the butter without stirring the layers together.
Make-ahead note: This dessert is best baked fresh, but leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for a quick dessert after dinner, which is exactly the kind of low-effort treat that makes a busy week feel a little easier.