This Easy Apple Cake is a simple and moist recipe, which is made with yellow cake mix and a McIntosh apple. It’s the perfect 30-minute dessert, ready in about 35 minutes.
My Sister Maria’s Easy Apple Cake Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix for a single layer cake (recommended: Jiffy brand)
- 2 tablespoons softened butter
- 1 McIntosh apple, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 pint butter pecan or rum raisin ice cream
How To Make My Sister Maria’s Easy Apple Cake
- Prep oven and batter: Preheat the oven according to the directions on the cake mix box. Grease a 9×9-inch square cake pan with butter. In a bowl, prepare the cake mix batter according to the package directions (usually with water and an egg).
- Prepare the apple topping: In a separate small bowl, toss the diced apples with the cinnamon and sugar until the apple pieces are evenly coated.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the prepared cake batter into the greased pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar apple mixture evenly over the top of the batter. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Serve: Serve warm squares of the cake with a small scoop of butter pecan or rum raisin ice cream.

Recipe Tips
- What’s the best apple to use? McIntosh apples are great because they soften beautifully when baked. If you can’t find them, a Granny Smith will provide a tarter flavor, while a Gala or Fuji will be sweeter.
- Can I use a different cake mix? Absolutely. A spice cake mix or a butter pecan cake mix would also be delicious and would complement the apple topping perfectly.
- How do I know when the cake is done? The toothpick test is the most reliable method. A toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake (avoiding an apple chunk) should come out clean, with no wet batter attached.
- Can I add a crumble topping? Yes, for extra texture you could add a simple crumble topping made from flour, butter, and brown sugar over the apples before baking.
What To Serve With Easy Apple Cake
This simple cake is designed to be served with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
- Butter Pecan Ice Cream
- Rum Raisin Ice Cream
- Classic Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
- A drizzle of warm caramel sauce
How To Store Easy Apple Cake
- Room Temperature: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can gently reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
Easy Apple Cake Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 4g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use a different pan size?
Yes. You can use an 8×8-inch pan for a slightly thicker cake, but you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time. A 9-inch round cake pan would also work well.
Do I have to peel the apple?
It’s a matter of personal preference. Peeling the apple will result in a softer texture. If you don’t mind the texture of the skin, you can leave it on for extra fiber and a more rustic look.
Can I make this ahead of time?
This cake is at its absolute best when served warm and fresh from the oven. If you need to make it ahead, you can bake it, let it cool, and store it at room temperature, then reheat it just before serving.
Try More Recipes:
- Dulce de Leche Banana Cream Pie Recipe
- The Best Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Quick and Easy Fruit Tarts Recipe

My Sister Maria’s Easy Apple Cake and Ice Cream Recipe
Description
A quick and easy single-layer apple cake using a cake mix shortcut, perfect for a last-minute dessert.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare cake mix according to package directions.
- Grease a 9×9-inch cake pan and pour in the batter.
- In a small bowl, toss the diced apples with the cinnamon and sugar.
- Sprinkle the apple mixture over the top of the cake batter.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Serve warm with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
Notes
- Using a box cake mix is the key to making this dessert so incredibly quick and easy.
- Don’t be afraid to be generous with the apple topping.
- This is a perfect recipe for a weeknight dessert or when you need something sweet in a hurry.
- The cake is best served warm to get the full comforting effect.