This 3-ingredient oven baked dessert is the kind of easy back-to-school treat that saves the day when the week is busy and everyone still wants something warm and sweet after dinner. It follows the classic dump-cake idea, where pantry staples are layered right in the pan with almost no mixing, and it is especially handy when you need a budget-friendly dessert that feels homemade without much effort.
Serve this cozy dessert warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of whipped topping. It also goes really well with coffee for the grown-ups or a glass of cold milk for the kids, and if you want to stretch it into a simple weekend dessert, add a side of fresh sliced strawberries or peaches.
3-Ingredient Oven Baked Yellow Cake Mix Dessert
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 box yellow cake mix
1 can fruit pie filling, about 21 ounces
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an oven-safe metal roasting pan.
2. Spread the fruit pie filling evenly across the bottom of the roasting pan.
3. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix powder evenly over the pie filling, covering it from edge to edge without stirring.
4. Drizzle the melted butter as evenly as possible over the top of the cake mix, making sure to moisten most of the surface.
5. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
6. Let the dessert cool for 10 to 15 minutes before scooping and serving warm.
Variations & Tips
Apple Version: Use apple pie filling for a classic fall-style dessert that tastes great with a little cinnamon sprinkled on top before baking.
Cherry Version: Cherry pie filling makes this dessert a little brighter and prettier for potlucks or casual family dinners, especially with whipped topping.
Butter Coverage Tip: If you notice a few dry patches of cake mix before baking, drizzle a little extra melted butter over those spots so the topping bakes up more evenly.
Make-Ahead Tip: This dessert reheats well, so you can bake it earlier in the day and warm individual portions in the microwave when everyone gets home from school or work.