A cozy, cinnamon-spiced quick bread made with cake mix and apple pie filling — ridiculously easy, perfectly moist, and bursting with warm fall flavors.
🕒 Servings & Timing
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 2 loaves (about 16 slices total)
Dietary Tags: Vegetarian | Nut-Free | Kid-Friendly
🧾 Ingredients Checklist
- Apple pie filling (21 oz can, mashed)
- Yellow cake mix (boxed)
- Eggs (lightly beaten)
- Self-rising flour
- Ground cinnamon
- Medium apple (chopped)
- Sugar + cinnamon (for topping)
🍞 Instructions
Preheat Oven & Prepare Pans
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease or line two standard loaf pans with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix, self-rising flour, and cinnamon.
Add Wet Ingredients
Stir in the mashed apple pie filling and lightly beaten eggs. Mix until just combined — do not overmix.
Fold in Fresh Apple
Gently fold in the chopped fresh apple for extra texture and flavor.
Pour & Top
Divide the batter evenly between the two loaf pans. Sprinkle generously with a mix of sugar and cinnamon for a sweet crust.
Bake
Bake for 35–45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Ovens may vary, so check at 35 minutes.
Cool & Serve
Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve warm or at room temp.
💡 Quick Notes
- Use a toothpick test to avoid overbaking.
- Bread is ultra-moist from the filling — don’t worry if the center is a little soft.
- No mixer needed — this is a quick, one-bowl recipe.
- Easily freezes for later!
🥧 What Makes This Recipe Special?
This isn’t your average quick bread. It’s apple pie in loaf form — warm, cinnamon-y, and packed with tender apples in every bite. Thanks to the clever shortcut of boxed cake mix and canned pie filling, it’s both easy and indulgent. Think banana bread meets apple cobbler.
Ideal for fall mornings, bake sales, holiday gifts, or just when you want your kitchen to smell like a cinnamon-sugar dream.
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Visual Guide (Optional Section – Add Images Here)
1. Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the cake mix, flour, and cinnamon. The self-rising flour adds a nice lift.
Tip: You can sift these together for an extra light texture.
2. Add Apple Pie Filling & Eggs
Mash the canned apple pie filling slightly before adding — it should be chunky but broken up. Stir in the eggs until just combined.
Don’t overmix — it’ll make the bread dense instead of soft and fluffy.
3. Fold in Chopped Apple
Adds texture and fresh apple flavor. A tart-sweet apple like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith works beautifully.
4. Top & Bake
Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar for a delicious crust. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Optional: For a crunchy topping, add a sprinkle of raw turbinado sugar.
🧾 Ingredient Tips & Substitutions
Key Ingredients Explained
- Apple Pie Filling: Gives instant apple-pie flavor. Lightly mash to distribute apples evenly.
- Yellow Cake Mix: Forms the base. Any standard 15.25 oz box will do.
- Self-Rising Flour: Adds extra structure and lift. It contains baking powder and salt — no need to add more leavening.
- Cinnamon: Warm spice that enhances the pie-like flavor.
- Fresh Apple: Adds a juicy bite that contrasts the soft, cake-like crumb.
Ingredient Swaps
- No Self-Rising Flour? Use 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1.5 tsp baking powder + 1/4 tsp salt.
- Different Cake Mix? Try spice cake mix for even more autumn flavor.
- Add-ins: Mix in 1/2 cup chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) or raisins if desired.
- Egg-Free Option: Use 1/4 cup applesauce or 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg.
🌀 Variations & Serving Suggestions
Flavor Variations
- Crumble Topping: Mix 2 tbsp butter + 2 tbsp flour + 2 tbsp sugar + cinnamon for a streusel topping.
- Glaze It: Drizzle with vanilla glaze (powdered sugar + milk) once cool.
- Apple-Chai Twist: Add 1/2 tsp ground ginger and a pinch of cardamom for a spiced variation.
Dietary Options
- Make It Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free cake mix and self-rising GF flour blend.
- Make It Dairy-Free: This bread is already dairy-free unless your cake mix isn’t.
Serving Ideas
- Warm with a pat of butter or cream cheese spread.
- Serve with coffee or hot cider for peak fall vibes.
- Excellent toasted for breakfast with honey or jam.
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Info
Storage Tips
- Counter: Store in an airtight container at room temp for 3 days.
- Fridge: Keeps well for up to 5 days, especially if your kitchen is warm.
- Freezer: Wrap slices or full loaves in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze up to 2 months.
Reheating Instructions
- Microwave slices for 10–15 seconds to bring back moisture and warmth.
- Toast in a toaster oven for a crispy edge and warm center.
Make-Ahead Tip
- Bake loaves the day before serving — flavors deepen overnight.
- You can also prepare the batter, store it in the fridge, and bake fresh the next day (just bring to room temp first).
🔢 Nutrition Info (Estimate per slice, based on 16 servings)
- Calories: ~230 kcal
- Carbs: 35g
- Fat: 7g
- Sugar: 18g
- Protein: 3g
Allergens: Contains wheat, eggs
Vegetarian | Nut-Free (if no added nuts)
❓FAQs
Q: Can I make this with homemade apple pie filling?
A: Yes! Just ensure it’s thick and sweetened. About 2–2.5 cups works.
Q: Can I make this in one large pan instead of two loaves?
A: You can use a bundt pan or 9×13 dish — just increase bake time and check for doneness.
Q: Can I use spice cake mix instead?
A: Absolutely! It’s a delicious variation and saves you from adding extra cinnamon.
Q: It looks too moist in the center. Did I underbake it?
A: This bread is naturally moist from the filling. As long as the toothpick comes out mostly clean, it’s perfect.
📖 Story Behind the Recipe
This recipe is one of those magical “cheater” recipes — the kind that tastes homemade but only takes minutes to throw together. It started as a quick fix for a last-minute bake sale and quickly became a fall family favorite. The apple pie filling brings all the nostalgic warmth, while the chopped apple adds freshness and texture.
No peeling, no fuss — just mix, bake, and slice into soft, cinnamon-sugar bliss.
