Are You Kidding Me Cake (3-Ingredient Cake Mix Cake): Easy 9×13 Recipe, Variations, and Baking Tips

What Is Are You Kidding Me Cake?

Are You Kidding Me Cake is a simple cake made by mixing a boxed cake mix with canned pie filling and eggs, then baking it in a 9×13-inch pan. It is known for being fast to put together and easy to customize with different flavor combinations. (Tasting Table)

The texture is a little different from a traditional scratch cake. It tends to bake up soft and moist, with a slightly pudding-like bite and crisp edges. (Catherine’s Plates)

Are You Kidding Me Cake Ingredients (What You Need and Why)

This recipe relies on three basics.

Cake mix provides the flour, sugar, leavening, and flavor base. Pie filling adds fruit, sweetness, and moisture. Eggs bind everything so the cake sets properly instead of baking up gummy. (Tasting Table)

Because cake mix sizes can vary, this recipe is forgiving. It works well with most standard “one-box” cake mix sizes and the typical can of pie filling. (Catherine’s Plates)

Basic Are You Kidding Me Cake Recipe (Cake Mix + Pie Filling + Eggs)

Key oven and pan details

Bake at 350°F (175°C) in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish (about 23×33 cm). (Catherine’s Plates)

Ingredients table (U.S. and metric)

Ingredient	U.S. measure	Metric
Boxed cake mix (any flavor)	1 box (13 to 15.25 oz)	375 to 432 g
Canned pie filling (any flavor)	1 can (21 to 22 oz)	595 to 624 g
Large eggs	3	3

How to make it

Step 1: Preheat and prepare the pan

Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish well so the edges release cleanly.

Step 2: Mix the batter

Add the dry cake mix, pie filling, and eggs to a large bowl. Stir until no dry pockets remain. The batter will be thick and a little lumpy from the fruit, which is normal. (Catherine’s Plates)

Step 3: Bake

Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes. Many versions land around 35 minutes, but timing varies by pan material and the moisture in the pie filling. (Tasting Table)

Step 4: Check doneness the smart way

Look for a set center and lightly browned edges. If you use a tester, a few moist crumbs are fine. For best accuracy, use an instant-read thermometer and pull the cake when the center reaches about 200 to 210°F (93 to 99°C). (Allrecipes)

Step 5: Cool before slicing

Let the cake cool in the pan so it finishes setting. This cake is delicate while hot, especially around the fruit pockets.

Best Flavor Combinations for Are You Kidding Me Cake

The easiest way to make this cake feel “planned” instead of random is to match the cake mix flavor to the fruit.

Vanilla or yellow cake mix works with almost anything. Chocolate cake mix pairs well with cherry, raspberry, or mixed berry. Lemon cake mix works especially well with blueberry and cherry. Spice cake mix is a natural fit for apple. (Tasting Table)

Lemon Blueberry Are You Kidding Me Cake Recipe

This version tastes bright and fruity, and it bakes up especially tender.

Ingredients table (U.S. and metric)

Ingredient	U.S. measure	Metric
Lemon cake mix	1 box (13 to 15.25 oz)	375 to 432 g
Blueberry pie filling	1 can (21 to 22 oz)	595 to 624 g
Large eggs	3	3
Cream cheese (optional, for pockets of tangy filling)	8 oz	226 g

How to make it

Step 1: Preheat and prep

Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.

Step 2: Mix

Stir together the cake mix, blueberry pie filling, and eggs until evenly combined. (Just A Pinch Recipes)

Step 3: Add cream cheese (optional)

If using cream cheese, cut it into small cubes and gently press pieces into the batter after you spread it in the pan, pushing them down so they sit below the surface.

Step 4: Bake and cool

Bake about 30 to 40 minutes, then cool before slicing. (Just A Pinch Recipes)

Chocolate Cherry Are You Kidding Me Cake Recipe

Chocolate plus cherry is one of the most reliable combinations for this cake style. (Tasting Table)

Ingredients table (U.S. and metric)

Ingredient	U.S. measure	Metric
Chocolate cake mix	1 box (13 to 15.25 oz)	375 to 432 g
Cherry pie filling	1 can (21 to 22 oz)	595 to 624 g
Large eggs	3	3

How to make it

Step 1: Preheat and prep

Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.

Step 2: Mix and spread

Mix cake mix, cherry pie filling, and eggs until no dry cake mix remains. Spread evenly in the pan.

Step 3: Bake, then cool

Bake about 30 to 40 minutes. Cool before cutting so the fruit pockets hold together better. (Tasting Table)

Common Are You Kidding Me Cake Problems and Fixes

Why is my cake gummy in the middle?

The cake is usually underbaked, or it was sliced too hot. Bake until the center is set and the internal temperature is around 200 to 210°F (93 to 99°C). Then cool before cutting. (Allrecipes)

Why did the edges get dry?

A “toothpick completely clean” goal can push cakes past their best point. Pulling the cake when it is set but still moist in the center helps, and using temperature can prevent overbaking. (Allrecipes)

Why does it taste overly sweet?

Some pie fillings are sweeter than others, and certain cake mix flavors can make that more noticeable. Choose tart fruit fillings (like cherry or blueberry) or use a less sweet cake mix flavor (like plain yellow or butter cake) to balance it. (Tasting Table)

Can You Make Are You Kidding Me Cake in Other Pans?

Yes, but baking time changes.

For a 9×13-inch pan, expect about 30 to 40 minutes. For cupcakes or a 9-inch square pan, start checking earlier. The center should be set and reach about 200 to 210°F (93 to 99°C) for the most reliable doneness check. (Tasting Table)

Bundt pans are riskier because the fruit pockets can stick and the dense batter may bake unevenly. If you try it, grease extremely well and expect a longer bake.

Are You Kidding Me Cake Storage and Food Safety

Cool completely, then cover tightly. It can sit at room temperature for a short period, but for best quality, refrigerate if your kitchen is warm or if you added cream cheese.

Do not taste raw batter. Boxed cake mix is not meant to be eaten raw because the flour in dry mixes is not treated as ready-to-eat. (Allrecipes)

Do You Need Frosting for Are You Kidding Me Cake?

Most versions are served as-is because the cake is already sweet and moist. (Catherine’s Plates)

If you want a topping, keep it simple and light so it does not overwhelm the fruit. A spoonful of extra pie filling or a small amount of whipped topping works well, especially when serving chilled. (Just A Pinch Recipes)