The 3-Ingredient Dessert That’s Always a Hit at Church

Apple cobblers are a dessert suited for any get together—provided there are apple lovers around. This cobbler embraces simplicity—and it’s not only perfect for the church goers among us, but also a great dessert to bring to any fall function.

The recipe is called Bible Study Apple Cobbler, and it only requires three ingredients. First published on October 11, 2012, it has coasted under the radar for several years. But recent reviews praise the dessert for its simplicity and crowd-pleasing flavors. With an average rating of 4.8 stars, this true dump-and-bake recipe will surprise even the most skeptical bakers.  

“This recipe was shared with me by one of the ladies in my bible study,” says Allrecipes member Jennifer, who submitted the recipe. “It is hands down the easiest and most-delicious apple cobbler I have ever made and eaten!”

How to Make This Apple Cobbler

There are only three ingredients: canned apple pie filling, yellow cake mix, and melted butter, so the cobbler couldn’t be easier. While the recipe calls for two cans of apple pie, some reviewers like to use three for a heavier apple dessert. 

Yellow cake mix is an ingredient that will do a little more than the flour mixture would in a traditional cobbler. Boxed mixes, unlike a bag of flour, include leavening agents, sugars, or flavorings that produce the texture and flavor we love in a cake. And what’s better with warm, baked apples than the flavor of vanilla cake?

To make it, pour the apple pie filling into a 9×13-inch baking dish and top with yellow cake mix, stirring to coat and combine the apples and the syrupy filling. Pour butter over the cake mix layer, then bake for about one hour, or until lightly browned and bubbling. The result is a cakey cobbler with the warm, gooey flavors and textures of an apple pie.

Tips and Tricks

1. Add fall spices. Apple pie spice is a good way to impart more fall flavor in the recipe. Some reviewers also add walnuts, cinnamon, and ground cloves to the filling mixture.
2. Change the fruit filling. This 3-ingredient formula works for several different canned pie fillings. One reviewer used peach pie filling while others made their dessert with cherry and blueberry pie filling. One Allrecipes member even combined a can of cherry filling with a can of apple pie filling.
3. Pair with something creamy.  Serve this dessert with traditional pie toppings like whipped cream, crème fraîche, vanilla ice cream, and fresh fruit.

Praise From the Allrecipes Community

• “I was skeptical that a boxed cake mix would work for a cobbler, but it worked great!” says reviewer Trina. “Granted, I only had white cake mix in the pantry, so it was a softer (less crunchy) consistency than probably yellow cake mix or a typical cobbler recipe would make…but it was still yummy!”
• “Love Love Love. It’s so easy and the name suits it perfectly!” says reviewer Southern Sunshine Southern Su. “That’s exactly what I made mine for, a Bible Study Group. They thought I put a lot of effort into it, but I had to be honest and share your fabulous recipe with everyone. Thank you for the easiest, yummiest dessert EVER!! We will be enjoying this one for many occasions to come!”
• “Tried this recipe for a Christmas party that I was attending. I was pressed for time and this was just what the doctor ordered,” says reviewer Cshel. “Simple, easy, required little time and very few ingredients. Wow, couldn’t have asked for anything simpler.”

Get the recipe: Bible Study Apple Cobbler