This post is sponsored by Lucky Leaf. All opinions are 100% my own.
This easy apple pie filling coffee cake is a delicious way to use canned apple fruit filling. It’s a perfect semi-homemade dessert or a sweet breakfast cake that comes together quickly but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Today I’m partnering with Lucky Leaf to highlight their apple fruit filling and show another simple way to use it in baking.
If you tried the Apple Pie Baked French Toast last year, this is another easy, tasty recipe that uses the same convenience of canned fruit filling.
For this cake I used a boxed white cake mix, boosted it with spices and vanilla bean paste, and spread a full can of Lucky Leaf apple fruit filling over the batter before baking.
Finally, I finished the cake with a simple powdered sugar glaze. The result is a moist, warmly spiced cake with tender apple slices on top — ideal for fall, winter, or holiday gatherings. Guests will love the homemade taste, even though it’s semi-homemade.
If you want more coffee cake inspiration, try a blueberry bisquick coffee cake for a different flavor profile.
Ingredients for apple pie filling coffee cake
- White cake mix – A basic white cake mix works well. You can substitute vanilla, yellow, or spice cake mix if you prefer.
- Eggs – Adds structure and moisture.
- Sour cream – Gives the cake tang and richness.
- Whole milk – Helps thin the batter slightly and keeps the cake tender.
- Apple pie spice – A ready blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cardamom for warm fall flavor.
- Vanilla bean paste – Adds noticeable vanilla flavor; vanilla extract works as a substitute.
- Apple fruit filling – Use a 21-ounce can of apple fruit filling to top the batter.
How to make apple pie coffee cake
This recipe is straightforward and fast — ideal when you want a flavorful cake without fuss.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the white cake mix, eggs, sour cream, milk, apple pie spice, and vanilla bean paste.
- Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the batter is light and slightly thickened.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared 9×13 pan and top with the apple fruit filling, distributing it evenly over the surface.
- Bake for about 35 minutes, or until the cake is set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool slightly, whisk together the glaze (powdered sugar, milk, vanilla), drizzle over the cake, then slice and serve.
Using canned fruit filling
Canned fruit filling is a time-saver for busy baking days. Lucky Leaf fruit fillings are made without high-fructose corn syrup and contain thick, full apple slices that hold up well in baked goods.
Lucky Leaf operates as a cooperative owned by fruit farmers, which helps ensure good quality and flavor in each can. For semi-homemade recipes like this one, canned filling adds just the right moisture and pie-like flavor with minimal effort.
Variations and adaptations
This cake adapts easily to other fruit fillings or flavor twists.
- Swap in cherry, peach, or blueberry fruit filling for a different taste.
- Pair ginger with peach filling to enhance the fruit’s warmth.
- Use cherry filling with a touch of almond extract and sprinkle sliced almonds on top for a nutty finish.
- Try butter cake mix with blueberry filling to create blueberry muffin–style flavors.
- Use spice cake mix with apple filling for an even more autumnal dessert.
Storage and leftovers
Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because the apple fruit filling adds moisture, refrigeration helps keep the cake fresh and prevents spoilage.
More apple recipes
- Try Apple Pie Baked French Toast for a decadent breakfast.
- Make Apple Pie Cupcakes for a portable treat with a fruity center.
- Apple Pie Bars are perfect when you want a crumbly, shareable dessert.
- Vanilla Bean Apple Pie Phyllo Bites make a great bite-sized dessert for parties.
Apple Pie Filling Coffee Cake
Ingredients
For cake:
- 15.25 ounce box white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or extract)
- 21 ounce can Lucky Leaf apple fruit filling
For glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
For cake:
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Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
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In a mixer or large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, sour cream, milk, apple pie spice, and vanilla bean paste.
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Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and slightly thick.
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Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
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Spoon the apple fruit filling on top, making sure it’s evenly distributed.
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Bake about 35 minutes or until the cake is fully cooked and set.
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Drizzle with glaze and allow to cool before slicing.
For glaze:
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Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together until smooth. Adjust consistency with more milk or powdered sugar as needed, then drizzle over the cake.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.
Additional Info
Apple Pie Coffee Cake
Ingredients
For cake:
- 1 box spice cake
- 4 medium apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
For topping:
- 1-1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
Instructions
For cake:
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Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 pan with nonstick spray.
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Prepare the spice cake according to the box directions and pour into the prepared pan.
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In a bowl, toss sliced apples with brown sugar and apple pie spice.
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Distribute the apple mixture evenly over the uncooked batter.
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Crumble the topping over the apples, leaving some larger clumps for texture.
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Bake about 35 minutes or until cooked through; fresh apples make the cake moist so it may need a bit more time.
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Let cool, then dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve.
For topping:
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Combine flour, melted butter, brown sugar, and apple pie spice until crumbly; sprinkle over the cake before baking.