This easy baked dessert is the kind of homespun recipe that feels perfect for a fun family get-together, especially on National Bowling Day when simple crowd-pleasers are the name of the game. Starting with a frozen block of unsweetened applesauce keeps prep wonderfully easy, and with just a few pantry ingredients, it bakes into a bubbly, cinnamon-scented treat that tastes a little like warm apple cobbler filling with a tender cake-like topping.
Serve this dessert warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a classic pairing. If you want to make it feel extra special, add a sprinkle of chopped pecans on top and offer hot coffee, cold milk, or warm apple cider alongside for a cozy finish.
5-Ingredient Oven Baked National Bowling Day Dessert
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 solid unthawed block frozen unsweetened applesauce, about 4 cups
1 box yellow cake mix, about 15.25 ounces
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a 9x13-inch oven-safe ceramic casserole dish if needed.
2. Place the solid unthawed block of frozen unsweetened applesauce in the center of the casserole dish.
3. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over and around the frozen applesauce block, then dust the cinnamon across the top.
4. Drizzle the melted butter as evenly as possible over the cake mix, then scatter the chopped pecans over the top.
5. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the top is golden and the applesauce has thawed and turned hot and bubbly around the edges. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Variations & Tips
Nut-Free Version: Leave out the pecans if you need a nut-free dessert. The topping will still bake up sweet and golden, and a little extra cinnamon on top helps make up for that cozy crunch.
Sweeter Dessert: If your family likes desserts on the sweeter side, use cinnamon applesauce instead of plain unsweetened, or add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar over the cake mix before drizzling on the butter.
Make It Kid-Friendly: For picky eaters, serve it with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping and call it an apple crumble cake. That little change in presentation can make it feel more fun and familiar at the table.
Baking Tip: Because ovens can vary, start checking at 50 minutes. If you still see dry patches of cake mix, drizzle 1 to 2 more tablespoons of melted butter over those spots and return the dish to the oven for a few more minutes.