Effortless Crockpot Apple Cobbler: The Ultimate Slow Cooker Dump Cake Recipe
If you’re searching for an incredibly simple yet utterly delicious dessert, look no further than this Crockpot Apple Cobbler. It’s the epitome of “set it and forget it” baking, leveraging the magic of your slow cooker to create a warm, comforting treat with minimal effort. What makes it truly convenient and a fantastic shortcut is using a cake mix as its base, transforming a humble box into a gourmet-tasting dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Slow Cooker Apple Cobbler
This recipe is a game-changer for anyone who loves homemade desserts but is short on time. Often referred to as “apple dump cake,” it simplifies the baking process drastically. The clever use of a dry cake mix eliminates the need to measure out multiple dry ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This single shortcut shaves significant time off preparation, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a quick dessert for unexpected guests.
Imagine layering just a few ingredients into your slow cooker in a matter of minutes, then letting the appliance do all the hard work. As the hours pass, your home will gradually fill with the most inviting aroma of baked apples infused with cinnamon – a truly delightful scent that promises a delicious reward. When you finally lift the lid, not only is dessert ready, but it’s warm, bubbly, and fragrant, delivering that homemade taste without the fuss. This slow cooker apple cobbler is more than just easy; it’s a sensory experience that brings comfort and joy, making it the perfect dessert solution year-round.
Key Ingredients for Your Delicious Cobbler
The beauty of this slow cooker apple cobbler lies in its simplicity, requiring just a handful of staple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry. The base of the cobbler is primarily two cans of apple pie filling, which provide a perfectly sweet and spiced apple layer without any prep work. For the crust, a standard box of white or yellow cake mix is transformed into a rich, buttery topping. You can definitely opt for a yellow cake mix if you prefer a slightly richer, more golden crust, but white works beautifully too.
Beyond these main components, you’ll need a touch of cinnamon to enhance the apple flavor and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon to mix with the dry cake mix for an added layer of warm spice. Finally, melted butter is crucial for creating that golden, crumbly cobbler topping. While unsalted butter is often recommended in baking, either salted or unsalted butter will work perfectly in this recipe, depending on your preference. For serving, vanilla ice cream is highly recommended to complete the experience, with an optional drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra touch of indulgence.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Crockpot Apple Cobbler
These detailed step-by-step photographs and instructions are designed to help you easily visualize each stage of making this delightful recipe. For a concise, printable version of the recipe, please scroll down to the dedicated recipe card at the end of this post.
Making this crockpot apple cobbler truly is as simple as layering a few ingredients, setting your slow cooker, and letting time work its magic. Here’s how you can achieve a perfect dessert with minimal effort:
- Prepare the Apple Base: Begin by emptying both cans of apple pie filling into the bottom of your Crockpot. Ensure the filling is evenly spread across the base. If you desire an extra boost of apple spice, lightly sprinkle some cinnamon sugar over the apple pie filling. This optional step enhances the warm, comforting flavor.
- Create the Cake Mix Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the dry white or yellow cake mix with ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Stir well to ensure the cinnamon is fully incorporated throughout the cake mix, providing a consistent flavor in every bite. Once mixed, evenly sprinkle this dry cake mix mixture directly on top of the apple pie filling layer in the slow cooker. Avoid pressing it down; a light, even spread is ideal.
- Add the Melted Butter: Carefully spoon the melted butter over the dry cake mix layer. It’s important to distribute the butter as evenly as possible over the entire surface. Resist the urge to mix the butter into the cake mix. The unique cooking environment of the slow cooker, with its gentle, moist heat, will naturally allow the butter and cake mix to combine and bake into a tender, cobbler-like crust without needing to be stirred.
- Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Cook the apple cobbler on the HIGH setting for approximately 4 hours, or if you prefer a slower cook, set it to LOW for about 6 hours. The cobbler is ready when the edges are golden brown, and the apple filling is bubbly and tender. The cake mix topping will have transformed into a soft, cakey crust.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, carefully spoon generous portions of the warm apple cobbler into individual serving dishes. For the ultimate indulgence, top each serving with a large scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the warm cobbler and cold ice cream is absolutely divine!
Expert Tips & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use other pie fillings instead of apple?
Absolutely! This crockpot cobbler recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily swap the apple pie filling for your favorite fruit pie filling. Whether it’s home-canned or store-bought, options like peach, blackberry, or cherry work wonderfully. Many readers have raved about peach pie filling as a perfect substitute for apple, offering a different but equally delightful flavor profile. For another delicious twist, try our Crockpot Chocolate Cherry Cobbler!
Can I use other cake mix flavors?
Yes, experimenting with different cake mix flavors can lead to exciting variations of this cobbler. While white and yellow cake mixes are standard, many home cooks have had great success with spice cake mix, which complements the apple flavor beautifully, or even caramel apple cake mix for an extra layer of sweetness. If you choose a cake mix that already contains spices, such as a spice cake mix, you might want to omit the extra cinnamon in the recipe. Consider pairing chocolate cake mix with cherry pie filling, French vanilla cake mix with strawberry pie filling, or lemon cake mix with blueberry pie filling for truly unique desserts. Don’t forget to share your favorite variations in the comments!
Can I use fresh apples instead of canned pie filling?
Using fresh apples is certainly an option if you prefer a less sweet or more natural flavor profile, or if you simply have an abundance of fresh fruit. You would need to prepare your own apple pie filling from scratch to ensure the apples soften and create the necessary moisture for the cobbler. Our homemade apple pie filling recipe provides an excellent guide for creating a delicious fresh apple base for this crockpot cobbler.
Can I make this gluten-free?
While we are not gluten-free experts, we have received positive feedback from readers who successfully substituted a regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix. The slow cooker method is generally forgiving, making it a good candidate for such adaptations. If you try it with a gluten-free cake mix, please let us know your results!
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, this recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd or for more leftovers. However, it’s crucial to ensure you have an adequately sized slow cooker. For a doubled recipe, you will need a 6-quart slow cooker or larger to accommodate all the ingredients and allow for proper cooking.
Can I double the cake mix for more crust?
We haven’t personally tested doubling only the cake mix portion of the recipe. Our primary concern would be that the increased height of the dry mix might result in uncooked pockets or an unevenly baked crust, as the moisture from the slow cooker might not fully penetrate the thicker layer. For best results, we recommend sticking to the specified amount of cake mix to ensure a perfectly baked topping.
Can I use my Instant Pot?
Yes, you can adapt this apple cobbler recipe for an Instant Pot. Cook it on the low setting for approximately 4 hours. Ensure your Instant Pot is properly sealed and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for slow cooking functions.
Can I use salted butter?
Absolutely! You can use either salted or unsalted butter for this recipe. The small amount of salt in salted butter can actually enhance the flavors of the cobbler, providing a slight contrast to the sweetness. Choose whichever you prefer or have on hand.
What can I use instead of butter?
If you’re looking to reduce calories or prefer a dairy-free option, you can certainly use margarine or other butter substitutes. Products like “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” or Earth Balance are viable alternatives that will still provide the necessary fat content for the cake mix to bake into a delicious crust.
Can I add nuts?
Adding nuts can introduce a lovely textural contrast and nutty flavor to your apple cobbler. If you prefer softer nuts, simply sprinkle them over the top along with the cake mix and butter before cooking. If you desire a toastier, crunchier texture, toast the nuts in a skillet on the stovetop for about ten minutes before serving, then sprinkle them on top of the finished cobbler right before serving.
I’ve made this Crockpot Apple Cobbler for countless occasions, from casual get-togethers with friends to festive Sunday supper desserts, and even larger parties. It’s consistently a crowd-pleaser, especially when served warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of rich caramel sauce on top. The melting ice cream mingling with the sweet apples and tender cake crust is pure dessert perfection.
This “apple dump cake” is an ideal dessert for any family gathering, holiday celebration, or simply as an easy dessert to enjoy after dinner on a chilly weeknight. It serves as a delicious reminder that slow cookers aren’t just for savory main courses; they’re fantastic for creating incredible desserts too!
More Irresistible Dessert Recipes
- Quick Apple Cranberry Cobbler
- Rhubarb Crisp
- Apple Cranberry Crisp
- Blueberry Cobbler
- 3-ingredient French Vanilla Peach Cobbler
- Crockpot Chocolate Cherry Cobbler
- Baked Apple Crisp
- Crockpot Cinnamon Apples
- Pumpkin Cobbler in a Jar
- Slow Cooker Blackberry Cobbler
- White Peach Cobbler
- Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
- Apple Nachos
I absolutely adore baking and cooking, and sharing my favorite recipes with you brings me so much joy! I know how challenging it can be to remember to come back and search for a recipe, which is why I’ve made it incredibly easy for you with my weekly newsletter. You can subscribe for free, and I’ll send a curated collection of delicious recipes directly to your inbox every week, ensuring you never miss out on your next favorite meal or dessert.
Crockpot Apple Cobbler
Make cake mix apple cobbler in the crock pot – nobody will guess it started with a boxed mix! A delicious and simple dessert you can make any time of year.
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 40 ounces apple pie filling (2 20-oz cans, 1 can if using a crock smaller than 4.5 quart)
- 16 ounce box white cake mix (or yellow cake mix)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- Cinnamon sugar (optional)
- Vanilla ice cream (optional)
Things You’ll Need
- 5-6 qt Crockpot
- Ice cream scoop
- Serving spoons
Before You Begin
- Use any fruit pie fillings, home-canned or from the grocery store. Simply substitute the same amount of peach, blackberry, cherry (try our crockpot chocolate cherry cobbler!), or any other pie filling you like.
- You can change out the cake mix flavor in this recipe. Many have raved about yellow cake instead of white cake mix, while others have used spice cake mix and even caramel apple cake mix. If you use a cake mix that already has spices, you can leave out the cinnamon in this recipe.
- Using fresh apples in this crockpot apple cobbler instead of pie filling is totally fine. You can make your own apple pie filling using our filling recipe from this apple pie.
- You can double this recipe, just make sure that you are using a 6-quart slow cooker or larger.
- You can use either salted or unsalted butter for this recipe.
- If you would like to keep the calories down, you can use margarine or any other butter substitutes like “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” or Earth Balance.
Instructions
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Empty both cans of apple pie filling into the crock. If you like, sprinkle apples with cinnamon sugar.
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Mix cinnamon into the dry cake mix, then sprinkle dry cake mix mixture on top of the apples.
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Spoon the melted butter onto the cake mix layer. Do not mix the butter with the cake mix. The moisture generated from the slow cooker will bake the cake.
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Cover and cook on high setting for 4 hours (or on low for 6 hours).
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Spoon cobbler into dishes and serve topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 portion |
Calories: 571 cal |
Carbohydrates: 110 g |
Protein: 3 g |
Fat: 14 g |
Saturated Fat: 8 g |
Cholesterol: 30 mg |
Sodium: 614 mg |
Potassium: 131 mg |
Fiber: 2 g |
Sugar: 57 g |
Vitamin A: 395 IU |
Vitamin C: 3.2 mg |
Calcium: 177 mg |
Iron: 2 mg
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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared here on Oct 13, 2015, and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips to provide the best possible experience for our readers.