Instant Pot Apple Cake

Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

5 from 31 votes
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 20 minutes

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy here.

Instant Pot Apple cake is a good one to make for the holidays, but it tastes great year-round. Once you give it a try, you’ll be making pressure cooker apple spice cakes for every occasion.

Slice of Instant Pot Apple Cake on a plate

Making this Instant Pot Apple Cake could not be easier. It only takes a few ingredients, including a simple box cake mix and makes it into a really amazing treat. Plus, you free up your oven for other dishes for the busy holiday season.


MORE HOLIDAY RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Sugar Cookies with Cake Mix | Rosette Cupcakes| Chocolate Covered Strawberries Cupcakes


What We Love About This Instant Pot Cake Mix Recipe

It might not be your first thought for what to put into an electric pressure cooker, but it should be! The process is so simple and quick, plus everything comes out moist and extra delicious.

  • 20 Minute Prep: Truly, it is so fast and easy, then you just have to let the pressure cooker do all the work.
  • Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry.
  • Family Friendly: A moist and delicious apple cake smothered in caramel sauce is always a hit.
  • Adaptable: Can make it low-carb or lower calorie.

Ingredient Notes for Instant Pot Dump Cake

  • Cake Mix: Spice cake mix, or you can use a yellow cake mix or white cake mix in this recipe
  • Canola Oil: Or vegetable oil
  • Eggs: Use large eggs when baking
  • Butter: One cup of unsalted sweet cream butter softened
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Ground Cinnamon: Or try a nice Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix
  • Heavy Whipping Cream
  • Apple Pie Filling: A can version is fine or make your own
  • Salted Caramel Sauce: A bottle or jar variety is fine
Slice of Instant Pot Apple Cake on a plate with the rest of the cake on a plate in the background

Equipment Needed

  • Instant Pot
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoon
  • Springform Pan
  • Piping Bag

How to Make Instant Pot Apple Cake

These are the basic steps for making instant pot cake recipes. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition information.

STEP 1: MIX

First, using a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake mix, canola oil, water and eggs until combined and smooth, and then spray the springform pan with Pam baking spray. Next, pour the batter into the pan, filling it to about 3/4 full.

STEP 2: BAKE

Next, place your trivet inside the instant pot. Cover the top of the springform pan with a paper towel and foil. Place the springform pan into the instant pot and close the lid, making sure the vent is sealed. Cook on manual/ high pressure for 30 minutes and then after 15 minutes do a natural pressure release.

STEP 3: COOL

Remove the cake and let cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Cut cake in half.

STEP 4: FROSTING

Meanwhile, using a stand mixer, beat all ingredients together until combined, smooth and with stiff peaks. Then scoop 1 cup of frosting into the piping bag and set aside. To build the cake, remove the apples from the apple pie filling and chop into bite size pieces placed into a bowl with about 3 tablespoons of the filling jam.

STEP 5: ASSEMBLE

On the bottom layer of the cake, scoop 1 cup of frosting onto the layer and smooth evenly. Then place the second layer on top, and next using the remaining frosting, frost the entire cake. Using the piping bag, pipe dollops along the edge of the cake. Scoop the apple pie filling into the center of the top of the cake. Finally, drizzle the caramel sauce over the cake.

Prep and Storage Tips

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME

HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE

Store the leftovers in the fridge wrapped well in plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It will stay good up to five days.

HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE

It is best to freeze this cake unfrosted if you wish to freeze it. It will stay well for up to four months. When ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator than decorate following the directions below.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE HEALTHIER?

Try using a sugar substitute for the icing. You can also use a gluten free cake mix or a sugar free or fat free cake mix for this recipe.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE DIFFERENT CAKE MIX?

Of course, a yellow cake mix, or white cake mix can be a great flavor for this recipe. Try adding your favorite spices such as cinnamon, and ginger to make your own spice cake.

DO YOU NEED THE CAKE PAN TO MAKE THIS INSTANT POT APPLE CAKE?

Yes, it is tempting to try it without the pan, however, the cake could burn if the correct pan isn’t used. Also, it might not come out when you are ready to decorate.

Slice of Instant Pot Apple Cake on a plate with the rest of the cake on a plate in the background

Expert Tips for Making This Instant Pot Apple Cake Recipe

  • Add Apple to the cake: Diced apples in the cake give extra apple flavor.
  • More spice: Decorate the top of the cake with a little more cinnamon for extra spicy flavor.
  • Variation tip: Use a different fruit such as pear for a great caramel and fruit taste.
  • Alternate cooking method tip: Feel free to bake this cake in a conventional oven if you prefer.
  • Dietary consideration tip: Try a sugar alternative such as stevia or Splenda to make this apple cake.

What to Serve with Instant Pot Apple Cake

Did you try this recipe?
Click below to leave a review and rating!

5 from 31 votes

Instant Pot Apple Cake

Yield: 12 Servings
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 20 minutes
Instant Pot Apple cake is a good one to make for the holidays, but it tastes great year-round. Once you give it a try, you’ll be making pressure cooker apple spice cakes for every occasion.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Equipment

Ingredients

  • For the Cake:
  • 1 cake mix, Spiced cake mix
  • 1 Cup water
  • ½ Cup canola oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • For the Icing:
  • 1 Cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
  • 2 ½ Cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 3-5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • For the Toppings:
  • 8 ounces Apple pie filling
  • 17 ounces salted caramel sauce

Instructions

  • Using a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake mix, canola oil, water and eggs until combined and smooth.
  • Spray the springform pan with Pam baking spray.
  • Pour the batter into the pan, filling it to about 3/4 full.
  • Place your trivet inside the instant pot.
  • Cover the top of the springform pan with a paper towel and foil.
  • Place the springform pan into the instant pot and close the lid, making sure the vent is sealed.
  • Cook on manual/ high pressure for 30 minutes.
  • Do a natural release for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the cake and let cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan.
  • Place cake onto the cake board.
  • Using a cake leveler, cut the dome off and slice the cake in half.
  • For the icing, using a stand mixer, beat all ingredients together until combined, smooth and with stiff peaks.
  • Scoop 1 cup of frosting into the piping bag and set aside.
  • To build the cake, remove the apples from the apple pie filling and chop into bite size pieces placed into a bowl with about 3 tablespoons of the filling jam.
  • Using the bottom layer of the cake, scoop1 cup of frosting onto the layer and smooth evenly.
  • Place the second layer on top.
  • Using the remaining frosting, frost the entire cake.
  • Using the piping bag, pipe dollops along the edge of the cake.
  • Scoop the apple pie filling into the center of the top of the cake.
  • Drizzle caramel sauce over the cake.

Expert Tips

  • Add Apple to the cake: Diced apples in the cake give extra apple flavor.
  • More spice: Decorate the top of the cake with a little more cinnamon for extra spicy flavor.
  • Variation tip: Use a different fruit such as pear for a great caramel and fruit taste.
  • Alternate cooking method tip: Feel free to bake this cake in a conventional oven if you prefer.
  • Dietary consideration tip: Try a sugar alternative such as stevia or Splenda to make this apple cake.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 615kcal | Carbohydrates: 89g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 466mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 69g | Vitamin A: 630IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 1mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!Follow Us: @CakeMixRecipesBlog or tag #cakemixrecipes
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American

Recipes You Might Have Missed

3 thoughts on “Instant Pot Apple Cake”

Leave a Comment

Rate This Recipe