When you see the ingredient list for this cake mix cake with just three items, you might do a double-take. I’m serious, three ingredients is all you need to bake a tender, moist cake that tastes homemade and delicious.
The magic happens when you combine eggs, boxed cake mix, and canned pie filling into one bowl. The fruit filling keeps everything incredibly moist while the cake mix handles all the structure and flavor you need.
This is one of those recipes that feels almost too easy, but it works beautifully every single time. Whether you’re new to baking or just looking for a shortcut, this one’s a keeper.
Simple Ingredients
This recipe is refreshingly simple, which is exactly why it works so well. You probably have most of these items on hand already, or can grab them quickly at the store.
- 3 large eggs, Eggs give the cake structure, help it rise, and add richness. Room temperature eggs mix in more smoothly, so pull them out of the fridge a few minutes before you start.
- 1 box cake mix (any flavor), Boxed cake mix is your secret weapon here. It already contains flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and all the dry ingredients you need, so you’re really just adding the wet stuff.
- 1 can pie filling (any flavor), This is where the moisture and sweetness come . The fruit pieces get distributed throughout the cake, and you can pick any flavor you love, cherry, blueberry, apple, peach, you name it.
- Optional: Parchment paper and cooking spray, These help your cake release cleanly from the pan, though they’re not absolutely necessary if you grease well.
Let's Make Cake Mix Cake with 3 Simple Ingredients
Here’s how to turn these three items into a gorgeous, moist cake:
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat
Turn your oven to 350 degrees and let it warm up. While it heats, grab a 9×13 baking pan, spray it lightly with cooking spray, and line it with parchment paper if you have it. This makes cleanup easier and helps the cake come out cleanly.
Step 2: Combine Everything in One Bowl
Pour the eggs, cake mix, and pie filling into a large bowl. Don’t worry about breaking up the fruit, it’s fine to leave those chunks whole. You want them scattered through the cake anyway.
Step 3: Mix Until Just Combined
Grab a spatula or whisk and stir everything together until you don’t see any lumps of dry cake mix anymore. This usually takes just a minute or two. Stop here, don’t overmix, because that can make the cake tough and dense.
Step 4: Spread Into the Pan
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it into an even layer. Make sure it reaches all the corners so it bakes evenly throughout.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes. The cake should be golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Take the pan out of the oven and set it on a cooling rack. Let the cake cool all the way down in the pan before cutting into it or removing it. This gives it time to set up properly.
Variations to Try
- Swirl in a tablespoon of cocoa powder or instant coffee to deepen the flavor
- Layer the batter halfway, sprinkle mini chocolate chips or nuts, then add the rest of the batter
- Try pairing vanilla cake mix with cherry filling, or chocolate cake mix with raspberry filling for a more gourmet taste
- Add a teaspoon of almond extract or vanilla extract to the batter for extra depth
Equipment You'll Need
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Large mixing bowl
- Spatula or whisk
- Oven
Why This One's a Keeper
- Only three ingredients, no fancy pantry items or tricky techniques required
- The cake stays moist and tender thanks to the fruit filling throughout
- Endless flavor combinations by mixing and matching cake flavors with pie fillings
- Takes just 5 minutes of prep and 35 minutes in the oven
- Perfect for busy weeknights or when you need dessert fast
A Note on Nutrition
This cake is a comfort dessert meant to be enjoyed in moderation; exact nutrition varies depending on which cake mix and pie filling you choose.
Tips for the Best Results
- Use room temperature eggs if you can, they mix more evenly and help the batter come together smoothly
- Don’t overmix once you combine the ingredients; a few streaks of dry mix are totally fine and actually better than a dense, overworked batter
- Every oven bakes a little differently, so check the cake around 32 minutes and don’t let it bake longer than necessary, overbaking dries it out
- Brush the warm cake with simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, boiled and cooled) if you want to bump up the moisture even more
- Top the cooled cake with powdered sugar, whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce to dress it up
Serve It With
- Dust the top with powdered sugar and serve with a cup of coffee or tea for a simple afternoon treat
- Add a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries that match your pie filling flavor
- Drizzle warm caramel or chocolate sauce over a slice while it’s still slightly warm
- Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert that feels a little fancier
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Cake Mix Cake with 3 Simple Ingredients
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking pan and line with parchment paper.
- Add all 3 ingredients to a large bowl
- Mix ingredients together using a spatula or whisk. Mix just until no lumps remain
- Use a spatula to spread the batter into the prepared pan, creating an even layer
- Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes
- Carefully remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan completely
