What can you do with apple pie filling and why do I need to know so badly? Recently, while looking for something in my pantry, I noticed I had a few cans of apple pie filling on hand. Why, I don't know. I am not a real pie baker, but I often have wonderful recipe ideas only to quickly forget about them. So I have no idea what the original intentions were for my stash of apple pie filling, but since I am mildly obsessed with coffee cake, I decided to make some using apples. This apple cake recipe is a delicious twist on traditional coffee cake. Be sure to check out our apple pie muffins using crescent rolls and other family friendly recipes.
Once my five year old found out I was baking a cake she had to get involved. This is a great recipe to make with the kids because there is plenty of stirring and mixing for them to do.
I just pulled a stool up to the kitchen island so she could reach the bowl.
But I'll be honest - did I have to remix this when she was done because I could still see large chunks of flour? Yes, I did. But hey, for an unpaid laborer, she did pretty well.
Using apple pie filling for this apple cake makes things super easy and gives the cake an apple pie flavor. I used an {affiliate link} 8x8 pyrex baking dish, but a 9x9 would work as well.
I mentioned I am a big coffee cake fan, but are you? Growing up on the east coast I have fond memories of snacking on Drake's coffee cakes. I didn't even like coffee back then, but goodness I loved those coffee cakes. So when I have the chance to add a crumb topping to something and pay tribute to my beloved Drake's coffee cakes, you can bet I am going to do it!
I think the apple cake would have looked a bit sad without this crumb topping. It just takes the whole thing up a notch.
This apple cake recipe made my house smell like Fall. I need to figure out a way to bottle up this scent.
Now this might look like a traditional coffee cake to the naked eye, you know my little secret. Apples. A sweet, moist layer of apples. Oh yeah!
This cake makes a great breakfast or if you are feeling totally indulgent, add a side of vanilla ice cream for a wonderful dessert.
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Apple Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 can apple pie filling
- for crumb topping:
- ½ cup flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, combine eggs, oil, vanilla and milk.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredient bowl and mix to combine.
- Pour half of the batter into a greased 8x8 or 9x9 pan.
- Spread apple pie filling over the batter.
- Pour the remainder of the batter on the top of the apples, covering completely.
- For the crumb topping, mix in butter with flour, cinnamon and brown sugar until crumbs form. Sprinkle crumbs over top of cake.
- Bake at 375 for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the topping begins to brown to much cover with foil for the remainder of the cooking time. Oven cook times vary so check your cake every so often.
Nutrition
For some more amazing apple recipes check out:
Shannon
I’ve made this cake on multiple occasions and it always turns out perfect for me and is very simple to make. Thanks 🙏 for sharing your recipe with us!!!!
Bill Reehill
Without access to our usual bakery, this recipe seemed like a sure thing. Utter fiasco! I couldn’t in good conscience offer this molten mess to my family.
The apples and streusel seemed to settle in the center and joined forces to form a gloopy pool that refused to coalesce and resembled a Yellowstone mudpot. No matter how much additional time I left it in the oven, it didn’t matter. It was destined for the bin.