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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.
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.
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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
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
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.
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.
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.
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?
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Instant Pot Apple Cake
Equipment
- Instant Pot
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.
Delish apple spice cake and I love the cinnamon icing and apple topping. So good!
This was so easy in an instant pot! Very tasty too!
I love to bake in my Instant Pot! This is a great recipe!!