Easy Fruit Cobbler with Cake Mix

 

Easy Fruit Cobbler with Cake Mix 

Introduction

This simple Fruit Cobbler is a warm, comforting dessert that’s as easy as it is delicious. Using a boxed cake mix as a shortcut, you can create a crisp, buttery topping over your favorite fruit pie filling in minutes. Whether you love apple, peach, cherry, or blueberry cobbler, this recipe adapts beautifully to any flavor you prefer. It’s the kind of dessert that tastes like home — golden, bubbly, and best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Fruit cobblers have been a staple of quick home baking for generations. Traditionally, they were made with fresh fruit and biscuit topping, but modern cooks have discovered a clever way to achieve the same flavor and texture with far less effort — using boxed cake mix! The result is a crunchy, sweet crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft, syrupy fruit filling beneath.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients: You only need cake mix, pie filling, butter, and a few pantry staples.
• No mixing bowl required: Everything goes straight into the baking dish.
• Customizable: Works with any flavor of pie filling or combination of fruits.
• Perfect for gatherings: Double the recipe for a 9×13 pan to feed a crowd.
• Warm, nostalgic flavor: Sweet, buttery topping over juicy fruit — a true classic.

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS	QUANTITY
Non-stick Cooking Spray (like PAM)	As needed
Pie Filling (any flavor)	1 can for 8″×8″ pan OR 2 cans for 9″×13″ pan
Jiffy Golden Yellow Cake Mix	1 box for 8″×8″ pan OR 2 boxes for 9″×13″ pan
Butter	½ to ¾ stick
Sugar	To taste
Cinnamon	To taste

About the Ingredients

Pie Filling: Choose your favorite fruit filling — apple for fall comfort, peach for Southern charm, cherry for a festive twist, or blueberry for something classic. You can even combine two flavors for a mixed fruit cobbler.

Cake Mix: The recipe calls for Jiffy Golden Yellow Cake Mix, but any standard yellow or white cake mix will work. The dry mix acts as your crumble topping, forming a golden crust as the butter melts through during baking.

Easy Fruit Cobbler with Cake Mix 

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray the inside of your baking dish thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray. This prevents the fruit from sticking to the sides and helps with easy cleanup later.

You can use either an 8×8-inch pan for a smaller batch or a 9×13-inch pan if you’re serving a larger group. Make sure the pan is deep enough to hold the bubbling fruit mixture once it starts baking.

Step 2: Add the Pie Filling

Open the can of fruit pie filling and spread it evenly into the bottom of your greased baking dish. Smooth it out with a spatula or spoon so the entire surface is covered. This layer forms the sweet, juicy base of your cobbler.

Tip: If your pie filling seems too thick, you can stir in a tablespoon or two of water or fruit juice to loosen it slightly. This helps ensure the fruit bubbles up evenly beneath the topping.

Step 3: Add the Dry Cake Mix

Evenly sprinkle the dry Golden Yellow Cake Mix directly over the top of the pie filling. Do not mix it in. You want a smooth, even layer of dry mix across the surface, as this will absorb the fruit juices and the melted butter while baking to form a crunchy, golden crust.

Gently tap the pan on the counter once or twice to settle the mix evenly. Avoid pressing it down — it should rest lightly on top of the fruit.

Optional Sweet Touch

If you like your cobbler extra sweet or caramelized, sprinkle one to two tablespoons of granulated sugar across the top of the dry cake mix. You can also add a light dusting of ground cinnamon for a cozy, aromatic finish that pairs perfectly with fruit.

Easy Fruit Cobbler with Cake Mix 

Step 4: Add Butter

Slice ½ to ¾ stick of butter into thin pats and place them evenly over the top of the dry cake mix. Make sure the surface is covered as evenly as possible so every bite will have that irresistible buttery crunch once baked. As the butter melts in the oven, it combines with the cake mix and fruit juices to create the signature cobbler topping.

Alternative method: Melt the butter first and drizzle it slowly over the entire surface of the cake mix. This ensures a more uniform crust and reduces the chance of dry patches in the topping. Either method works beautifully — it depends on whether you prefer a slightly crumbly or more cohesive top layer.

Step 5: Bake the Cobbler

Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) until the top is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling up around the edges — about 35–45 minutes for a 9×13 pan or 25–30 minutes for an 8×8 pan.

Keep an eye on it during the final minutes of baking to ensure the topping doesn’t overbrown. If necessary, cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excess browning while the filling finishes bubbling.

Step 6: Cooling

Once baked, remove the cobbler from the oven and let it cool for at least 15–20 minutes before serving. The filling will thicken slightly as it cools, making it easier to scoop. This short rest also helps the flavors meld together perfectly.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla or butter pecan ice cream.
• Add a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a classic finish.
• For a breakfast treat, enjoy leftover cobbler with a drizzle of cream or a spoonful of yogurt.

Easy Fruit Cobbler with Cake Mix 

Storage and Tips

• Storage: Cover leftover cobbler and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or warm the whole dish in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10–15 minutes.
• Freezing: Freeze baked cobbler in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
• Butter Tip: Real butter gives the best flavor, but margarine can be substituted if desired.
• Flavor Variations: Try adding a handful of chopped pecans or shredded coconut to the topping before baking for extra crunch.
• Fruit Mixes: Combine different pie fillings, like apple and cherry or peach and blueberry, for a colorful and delicious twist.

Why This Shortcut Works

The magic of this cobbler lies in the way the dry cake mix and melted butter interact during baking. The butter soaks into the mix, creating a self-forming crust that becomes crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Meanwhile, the bubbling fruit beneath infuses the bottom of the crust with syrupy sweetness, ensuring every spoonful has the perfect contrast of textures.

Final Thoughts

This easy Fruit Cobbler with cake mix is proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s quick enough for a weekday dessert but impressive enough for holidays or potlucks. You can prepare it in just a few minutes and let the oven do the rest of the work. Serve it warm, and watch it disappear in no time!

Credit: Original recipe shared by home bakers who love the simplicity and versatility of this classic dessert. Perfected for modern kitchens everywhere.