If you’re looking for an easy dessert, this crockpot apple cobbler is as easy as “set it and forget it”. You’ll use the slow cooker for this delicious treat, and using a cake mix as the base makes it convenient and simple.
Why this recipe works
Did you know that you can make apple cobbler with cake mix (sometimes called apple dump cake)? It’s the perfect shortcut, saving you the time of measuring out all the dry ingredients yourself.
Within minutes you’ll have all the cobbler ingredients layered and ready go. When you return home not only is dessert ready but your house will permeate that sweet, warm aroma of baked apples and cinnamon! It’s the perfect easy dessert!
Ingredients you will need
You can use a yellow cake mix instead of white, if you prefer.
How to Make Crockpot Apple Cobbler
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. Please scroll down to simply print out the recipe!
It’s as simple as layering the ingredients, setting your slow cooker, and walking away!
- Empty both cans of apple pie filling into the Crockpot. If you like, sprinkle apples with cinnamon sugar.
- Mix cinnamon into the dry cake mix, then sprinkle the dry cake mix mixture on top of the apples.
- Spoon the melted butter onto the cake mix layer. Do not mix the butter with the cake mix. The moisture generated by the slow cooker will bake the cake.
- Cover and cook on high setting for 4 hours (or on low for 6 hours).
- Spoon cobbler into dishes and serve topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Expert Tips & FAQs
Can I use other pie fillings instead of apple?
Yes, you can use your favorite pie filling instead of apple! Use any of 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. Our readers have commented saying that peach pie filling is a perfect substitute for apple!
Can I use other cake mix flavors?
Yes, 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 sugar in this recipe.
Try other variations like chocolate cake mix with cherry pie filling or French vanilla cake mix with strawberry pie filling. We also think lemon cake mix with blueberry pie filling would be amazing! Be sure to leave a comment with your favorite variation!
Can I use fresh apples instead of canned pie filling?
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.
Can I make this gluten-free?
We are not gluten-free experts, however, we have heard from a couple of readers that they were able to substitute the regular cake mix with gluten-free cake mix. Please let us know how it works for you!
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can double this recipe, just make sure that you are using a 6-quart slow cooker or larger.
Can I double the cake mix for more crust?
We have not tried doubling only the cake mix. My only concern would be that you would have pockets of the dry mix because of the height of the mix in the crock.
Can I use my Instant Pot?
Yes, you can make this apple cobbler on low for 4 hours in your Instant Pot.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, you can use either salted or unsalted butter for this recipe.
What can I use instead of butter?
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, Earth Balance, etc.
Can I add nuts?
Yes, you can add nuts to this apple cobbler depending on the texture you prefer. If you like the nuts soft, I would add them to the crockpot with all the other ingredients, just sprinkle them on top. If you prefer the nuts toasty, about ten minutes before serving, toast the nuts in a skillet on the stovetop. Add the toasted nuts on top when serving.
I’ve made this when friends come over, we’ve had it for Sunday supper dessert, and I’ve even made this recipe for a party! Everyone loves it, especially topped with vanilla ice cream with a little caramel sauce drizzled on top.
This apple dump cake is great for family gatherings, a holiday, or just as an easy dessert after dinner on a chilly weeknight. Slow cookers aren’t just for dinner!
More 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
- Crockpot Cinnamon Apples
- Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
- Apple Nachos
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CrockPot Apple Cobbler
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 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
Before You Begin
- Use any of 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 sugar 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, Earth Balance, etc.
Instructions
- Empty both cans of apple pie filling into the crock. If you like, sprinkle apples with cinnamon sugar.
- Mix cinnamon into the dry cake mix, then sprinkle dry cake mix mixture on top of the apples.
- 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.
- Cover and cook on high setting for 4 hours (or on low for 6 hours).
- Spoon cobbler into dishes and serve topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
This post originally appeared here on Oct 13, 2015 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips.
Amanda Davis
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kevin L Holland says
can I do this with spice cake mix?
Amanda Formaro says
Yes, of course!
Julie Barton says
Can you use any fruit pie filling. Every recipe I run across uses Apple. Getting tired of Apple. How about peace or cherry.
Amanda Formaro says
Yes of course! :)
Boo says
I just wandered onto this recipe and am getting ready to try it. I am excited to see the rest of your site. Thanks for all the time you put in to help people like me.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Boo, I hope you like the cobbler! It’s yummy! :)
Penny says
Amanda can you please tell me how long do you cook this thank you
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Penny. Cook on high setting for 4 hours (or on low for 6 hours). The printable instructions are at the end of the post. :)
randi says
Just wondering how much of the sugar/cinnoman you used in the recipe?
Amanda Formaro says
It’s really more “to taste”, I just sprinkle it on :)
Brandy says
Could I do this with fresh blueberries??
Amanda Formaro says
I have not tried it with fresh berries, however I would recommend making a simple pie filling from the blueberries first. Here’s a recipe http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/contest-winning-fresh-blueberry-pie
Jen says
Amanda, as soon as I saw that this recipe started with canned apples, I was hooked (peeling apples isn’t my thing, but I will do it if I have to)! I’m excited to make this as one of my desserts for Christmas this year. It looks delicious! Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Amanda Formaro says
It is soooo good and I love the way the house smells when it’s cooking. Hope you like it!
Debbie says
Could you use spice cake mix? I wouldn’t need the spices.
Amanda Formaro says
I don’t see why not! :)
Dawn says
I make this often and I have always used a spice cake mix. It’s great!
Amanda Formaro says
Great idea!
Janine says
Do you have to melt the butter completely or can you cut it up and lay it on top?
Amanda Formaro says
Just cut it up and lay it on top, the slow cooker will do the rest! :)
Denise says
I made this tonight it was delicious!!!
we are traveling so in a RV I didn’t want to heat the place up with the oven, this was perfect!
Thanks,
Denise
Amanda Formaro says
Nice! So glad you enjoyed it!
Sarah says
I am currently making this recipe with my class of 1st graders. Wow! We can not wait to eat it up! Thank you!
Amanda Formaro says
So fun!
Tricia says
Made this for a family party…it was a huge hit!! Gone in a matter of minutes. Passed on the recipe to everyone there. Do yourself a favor and double the recipe if you have more than four or five people though, it really cooks down. Thanks for the great recipe.
Amanda Formaro says
So glad it was a hit!
Rayanne says
I was just wondering if anyone used the full cake mix? I didn’t because I thought it wasn’t needed because it ended up piling on top of eachother and I didn’t know if it was going to thin out or not, so can someone let me know?
Amanda Formaro says
Yes the full box
Stephanie says
I was wondering if you think this would be okay to make with a gluten-free cake mix? I use King Arthur GF cake mixes, and they make a full 13×9 or 2 layer cake (some mixes from other companies don’t make a full-size cake). Would love to use this recipe for my women’s meeting this month, but one of the ladies who comes has to be gluten free. Any ideas?
Amanda Formaro says
I hav eno experience with making anything gluten free, however it sounds like it would be a good substitution!
Barbara P says
I made this and used yellow cake mix and everyone loved it! There was NONE left and it went fast. So easy and you dont have to heat the house up with the oven and saves time. Thank you for sharing this and making it tonight using the white cake mix this time. Will try Cherry Pie filling next time also.
Amanda Formaro says
So glad you enjoyed it, cherry would be great!
Cristina says
I made this for my co-workers today. First, let me start by saying that the wonderful smell throughout the office was AMAZING! They all loved it and couldn’t believe it was such an easy recipe. It is absolutely delicious.
Amanda Formaro says
That’s fantastic Cristina, so glad you all enjoyed it so much! :) :)
Marty Rockhold says
Thank you Amanda for the wonderful recipes and the time that you put into them. Keep up the great work and don’t let the haters get in the way. The 1 ad that I clicked away was no problem whatsoever.
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you for such a wonderful comment Marty, I appreciate it very much! :) :)
Sue says
This will be delicious for our football Sunday.
Donna Donahue says
I live in apple country. So I was wondering if I could use fresh apples. Would I have to cook them on the stove top or could I put them in sliced thin raw?
Amanda Formaro says
I haven’t tried it with fresh apples Donna, but since it’s in the crockpot I would THINK that putting them in raw, sliced thin would work. Don’t forget to add sugar and spices. I don’t have a homemade apple pie recipe on this blog, but All Recipes has a really good one.
sheryl says
this recipe would be a lot better without all the annoying ADS all over the place!
Amanda Formaro says
Saying the recipe would be better without ads makes no sense. The recipe will taste the same whether or not there are ads on this blog. Television would be better without commercials, but in order to get that you have to PAY a subscription to the premium channels. I don’t charge anything for my free recipes, you just get to come here and print them whenever you want. I work hard to cook and bake the recipes, photograph them so they look mouth watering enough to make you want to try them, then write up the post so that you can easily print it and try it in your own kitchen. Then I spend a lot of time promoting that recipe, whether it be on social media, Pinterest, or in the newsletter I send out for free every week. While you will spend less than an hour making this recipe, I’ve spent 6-8 hours on it. In order to pay server costs I have to have ads, and sometimes they are a little annoying. I find commercial breaks on the radio annoying too, but I don’t call them and complain. I also don’t call the television stations and complain about their lengthy commercials. I also don’t write to the magazines for placing so many ads within the pages of their publications. I’m sorry you find the ads annoying, but it’s the nature of the business and they are what help keep blogs like this open and free for you to enjoy. I hope that helps shed some light on why ads are a necessary evil. The other option is to charge a subscription fee, which I will never do. Hope you enjoy the rest of your day.
Kara L Elion says
Great reply to Sheryl, Amanda. I was thinking the same thing.
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Kara, I really appreciate the support!
Christina Mora says
I didn’t see any issue with the ads. Could have been a browser issue for the person complaining. I think you explained it perfectly why bloggers and other website owners incorporate ads into their sites. It costs REAL money to have a website, not to mention the time and effort you put into putting real, genuine content on our blog.
Anyhow, going to try this recipe tonight, so looking forward to tasting it!!! Thanks for all you do. :-)
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Christina! I hope it was delicious :)
Bonnie Atkins says
well said….love the recipes..photos…crafts…keep em coming .
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Bonnie, I appreciate the support very much :)
Jen says
Amanda, I am going to make this as one of my Christmas dinner desserts!
Regarding the complainer about ads on the page: there are absolutely no ads whatsoever on my page, so it must be the complainer’s computer settings.
Bessie says
Oh This sounds so good I can’t believe it is so easy.. Will give it a try real swoon.
Amanda Formaro says
Hope you enjoy it Bessie!
Becki says
I love this recipe. I make a similar dessert with peaches and it is one of my favorites -especially when I need something quick. I bet this is delicious, too. A nice fall easy recipe!
Amanda Formaro says
Mmm peach would be delicious!