Apple Piecaken, you ask? I’ve baked an entire apple pie inside a yellow cake and frosted it with my Cinnamon Cool Whip Frosting for a one-of-a-kind dessert.
Keep in touch! Subscribe to receive Melanie Makes recipes direct to your inbox.
Original content posted April 2018. Updated October 2021.
Each year I tackle a batch of birthday cakes during our busy family birthday season. With three of my four children, my husband and a sister-in-law celebrating within weeks of one another, I end up making several special desserts. This year, after experimenting with a Chocolate Pudding Fudge Cake (one version with Dark Chocolate Buttercream), a Nutella cake and rainbow cupcakes, the Apple Piecaken stole the show and became my favorite creation.
What is an Apple Piecaken?
The Apple Piecaken is exactly what it sounds like: an entire apple pie baked inside a yellow cake. For apple pie lovers—my husband included—this dessert combines two favorites into one impressive, comforting treat. The pie sits between layers of buttery yellow cake and the whole cake is finished with a light, cinnamon-scented Cool Whip frosting for a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.
Rather than piling on thick layers of frosting, I prefer a “naked cake” finish for this Piecaken: a thin skim coat around the sides and a slightly thicker layer on top. It looks simple but the surprise inside is dramatic once you slice into it. The combination of moist yellow cake, warm apple pie filling and the airy cinnamon frosting is irresistible.
This recipe is also surprisingly easy: it takes under ten minutes to assemble when you use a boxed cake mix and a prepared store-bought apple pie. The result looks like a showstopper, and the birthday crowd loved it. If you want a different take on the piecaken idea, try a Black Forest Piecaken—cherry pie baked in a chocolate cake—for another delicious variation.
How to Make an Apple Piecaken
1. In a medium bowl, prepare the boxed yellow cake mix according to the package directions.
2. Pour two cups of the prepared cake batter into a greased 9″ springform pan. Tip: I like to grease the pan with butter so the cake releases cleanly.
3. Carefully place a prepared 9″ apple pie into the springform pan. Tip: It can be a snug fit—don’t worry. When you pour the remaining batter over the pie, it will work its way down the sides and bind the layers together.
4. Cover the pie completely with the remaining cake batter.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for one hour. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing the springform ring.
6. Before serving, frost the cake with Cinnamon Cool Whip Frosting for a light, creamy finish.
If you’ve made this Apple Piecaken or tried another Melanie Makes recipe, please share your thoughts in the comments. I read and respond to every message and love hearing how the recipes turn out for you.
Print Recipe
Apple Piecaken (Apple Pie Baked in a Cake)
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce boxed yellow cake mix + ingredients needed to prepare cake mix
- 1 prepared 9″ apple pie
- 1 recipe Cinnamon Cool Whip Frosting
Instructions
-
Prepare the boxed cake mix according to the package directions.
-
Pour two cups of batter into a greased 9″ springform pan. Tip: Greasing with butter helps the cake release cleanly.
-
Set the prepared 9″ apple pie into the pan. Tip: If it’s snug, the remaining batter will fill gaps and bind the layers when poured over the pie.
-
Cover the pie with the remaining cake batter.
-
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for one hour. Let the cake cool completely before removing from the pan.
-
Frost with Cinnamon Cool Whip Frosting before serving.