If you’re a fan of showstopping desserts that still let you sneak in a bit of simplicity, the Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake Recipe is about to become your newest obsession. Imagine everything you love about a classic apple pie—spiced apples, buttery crumble—layered and baked up in a moist, easy-to-slice cake form. One cozy forkful and you’ll see why this irresistible bake is beloved on both sides of the Atlantic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Shortcut: The Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake Recipe uses cake mix for a fuss-free base, meaning you’ll get homemade flavor with minimal effort.
- Perfect Texture Combo: Tender apples, fluffy cake, and that golden crumbly topping combine for layers that are pure comfort in every bite.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This cake feeds a dozen, making it fabulous for gatherings, potlucks, or those “just because” family weekends.
- All-Season Charm: Sweet, spiced apples work beautifully year-round, and you can serve it warm or cold—whatever the occasion calls for!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake Recipe is that each component relies on simple, everyday ingredients you may already have tucked in your kitchen. Each one plays its part—whether it’s adding moisture, warmth, or that signature crumbly finish.
- Yellow Cake Mix (1 box, 425g): Adds a soft, fluffy foundation and a sweet, homey flavor—no measuring flour required!
- Water (1½ cups/360ml): Ensures the cake stays moist without weighing it down.
- Vegetable Oil (⅓ cup/80ml): Gives the crumb a lovely tenderness and ensures the cake keeps beautifully.
- Eggs (3 large): Add structure, richness, and help the cake rise just right.
- Apples (6, peeled & sliced): Fresh apples (any variety you love) bring the essential fruity sweetness and cozy texture.
- Brown Sugar (3 tbsp & ½ cup/100g + 45g): A double dose for both the apple filling and the crumb topping—hello caramel notes!
- Cinnamon (1 tsp): Adds that classic, irresistible warmth every apple dessert needs.
- Lemon Juice (1 tbsp/15ml): Brightens and balances the apples, keeping the flavors fresh.
- All-Purpose Flour (¾ cup/95g): For the topping, helps form crispy, buttery crumbles.
- Salt (¼ tsp): Just enough to balance sweetness and deepen all the flavors.
- Cold Butter (½ cup/115g), cubed: Essential for that classic buttery crumble top—cold butter means maximum crunch!
Variations
This Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake Recipe is delightfully flexible—think of it as your baking canvas! You can tailor the flavors, swap ingredients, or tweak for dietary needs with just a few easy changes.
- Pear Twist: Swap some or all of the apples for ripe pears for a delicate, fragrant variation that bakes up beautifully.
- Spiced Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or allspice to the cinnamon for a warmly spiced, aromatic filling.
- Gluten-Free Friendly: Use your favorite gluten-free yellow cake mix and a gluten-free flour blend for the topping without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- Vegan Version: Swap eggs for flax eggs and use a dairy-free cake mix; substitute vegan butter in the crumble and you’ve got a plant-based dessert everyone will want seconds of.
How to Make Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Give a 9×13 inch baking pan a light greasing, making sure to get those corners—nothing should stick when you’re dying to dig in!
Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs until smooth and lump-free. Pour the luscious batter into your prepared baking dish—you’re already halfway to cake bliss!
Step 3: Toss the Apples
Combine your peeled, sliced apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Give them a gentle toss until every slice is glistening and tinged with cinnamon. Spread this mixture evenly over the cake batter—don’t worry if it looks like a lot, the apples bake down deliciously!
Step 4: Create the Crumble Topping
In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Add in the cubes of cold butter and cut them in using a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips until it all looks like coarse, buttery sand. Sprinkle this glory over the apples for the perfect, rustic finish.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
Slide your masterpiece into the oven and bake for 35–60 minutes (depending on your oven and pan), or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean. The smell alone will have everyone circling the kitchen!
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Let the cake cool completely in the pan before serving. This helps everything set up perfectly, making for beautiful, neat slices. For extra charm, dust with powdered sugar right before you slice and serve.
Pro Tips for Making Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake Recipe
- Apple Variety Matters: For the best results, use a mix of tart (like Granny Smith) and sweet (like Gala or Honeycrisp) apples for depth of flavor and perfect texture.
- Chill Your Butter: Make sure that the butter for your crumble is very cold—this is what creates that addictive, crunchy crumb layer on top.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stir just until combined for a fluffy cake—overworking can make the base tough, and no one wants that!
- Watch for Doneness: Since oven times can vary, start checking at 35 minutes—a toothpick should come out clean, but a little apple juiciness on top is perfect.
How to Serve Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake Recipe
Garnishes
A generous snowfall of powdered sugar is the quickest way to make this cake sparkle, but you can also add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of softly whipped cream for ultimate comfort—these creamy touches turn each slice into dessert heaven.
Side Dishes
The Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake Recipe shines on its own, but if you’re serving it for brunch or a festive gathering, pair it with fresh fruit, a hot pot of coffee, or a platter of sharp cheeses for a sweet-salty balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For an eye-catching display, serve individual squares on pretty plates with a dusting of cinnamon, or layer short slices in parfait glasses with extra cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for a playful twist. Little ramekins turn this bake into an adorable, single-serve treat for dinner parties too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake Recipe slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or in the fridge for up to five. The flavors meld and get even cozier after a day or two.
Freezing
This recipe freezes like a dream—simply wrap individual slices or the whole (cooled) cake in foil and place in a freezer bag for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating or serving.
Reheating
To reheat, pop slices in a microwave for 20–30 seconds, or warm the whole cake in a low oven (about 275°F/135°C) until just heated through. This revives both the cake’s fluffy center and the irresistible crumb topping.
FAQs
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Can I use a homemade cake base instead of cake mix?
Absolutely! If you prefer, you can substitute your favorite scratch-made yellow cake recipe. Just be sure to use enough batter to fill a 9×13 pan and follow the same assembly and baking instructions for the Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake Recipe.
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What type of apples are best for this recipe?
A mix of tart and sweet apples—like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp—offers the best balance. But honestly, any apples you love or have handy will work. The key is fresh, firm fruit for good texture.
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Can I make the Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake Recipe the day before?
Yes, it actually gets better with some time! Bake, cool completely, and store tightly covered. The flavors meld and the cake stays moist—just add any garnish or powdered sugar before serving.
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How do I prevent soggy cake from the apples?
Be sure to slice the apples thinly and evenly, and avoid over-pouring the lemon juice. Also, cooling the cake completely before slicing helps everything set, preventing soggy layers.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a bake that feels equal parts nostalgic and utterly foolproof, the Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake Recipe is destined for a starring role in your kitchen. With simple prep and dreamy results, it’s a recipe you’ll want to share with everyone—so don’t be surprised if you’re asked for the secret after the first bite. Enjoy every heavenly, apple-packed slice!
PrintJamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This delightful Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Cake combines the flavors of a traditional apple pie with the ease of a cake. A moist, tender cake base is topped with a sweet apple mixture and a buttery crumb topping, creating a dessert that is sure to impress.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 box (425g) yellow cake mix
- 1 1/2 cups (360ml) water
- 1/3 cup (80ml) vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
Apple Mixture:
- 6 apples, peeled and sliced
- 3 tbsp (45g) brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp (15ml) lemon juice
Topping:
- 3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (115g) cold butter, cubed
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a 9×13 inch pan.
- Mix cake batter: In a bowl, combine cake mix, water, oil, and eggs. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Prepare apple mixture: Toss peeled and sliced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Spread the apple mixture over the cake batter.
- Make topping: Mix flour, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Sprinkle the topping over the apples.
- Bake: Bake for 35-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool completely before serving. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- You can serve this cake warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious treat.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg