split decision double dessert
I like apple; my husband likes cherry. One of our children liked plain white cake; the other liked apple pie. One of our grandchildren doesn't like nuts; another loves spices. You can’t please everyone with one dessert... or can you? That’s why I came up with Split Decision. It has something for everyone in our family. It’s based on a simple recipe that’s been around almost my entire 45 years of housekeeping, but it was desperation, frustration, and a desire to make everyone happy that led to this variation of an old favorite.
Blue Ribbon Recipe
You're going to keep going back for another bite of this simple, budget-friendly dessert. We loved combining two different flavor profiles in one dessert. White cake brings the dessert together. On one side, the apple filling is topped with a spiced nuts mixture, which we loved. On top of the cherry filling, the cake mix is sprinkled, which creates a soft crust and lets the cherry flavor shine. This will be a big hit at a party... or whenever you serve it.
Ingredients
- 2 boxes white cake mix (no pudding in the mix)
- 2 sticks butter (margarine will work but won’t taste as good)
- 1 can apple pie filling
- 1 can cherry pie filling
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2-1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- - whipped topping for garnish
How To Make split decision double dessert
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Step 1Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Cut 1 stick of butter into 1 box of cake mix. -
Step 2Spread the mixture evenly on the bottom of an oversized cake dish. I used a 15”x11”x2” glass dish here, but I’ve made it in a jellyroll pan, too. This recipe is too big for a standard cake pan.
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Step 3Spread 1 can of cherry pie filling gently over half of the mixture. Spread 1 can of apple pie filling gently over the other half.
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Step 4Cut the other stick of butter into the other box of cake mix. Divide the mixture in half.
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Step 5Add the nuts and the spices to half of the mixture. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apple pie filling.
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Step 6Sprinkle the plain mixture evenly over the cherry pie filling.
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Step 7Bake for about 1 hour at 300 degrees F. Time will vary according to the size of the pan and individual ovens. A smaller pan will make a thicker dessert and take longer to bake. Remove from the oven when the edges begin to brown and the top of the plain cake mixture begins to look golden. Don’t over-bake it, and don’t turn the oven higher than 300 degrees. Rushing it will give an uneven, unsatisfying result. It needs to bake slowly.
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Step 8Allow to cool for at least half an hour before serving. Serve in dessert bowls, garnished with a dollop of whipped topping. Add a cherry or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar if desired.
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Step 9Use any two flavors of pie filling to make this dessert, or use two cans of the same flavor if you happen to have a very agreeable family. But be sure to get “filling” for both of these—not pie apples or pie cherries. To make a smaller dessert, use one cake mix, one stick of butter, and one can of pie filling. Bake in a standard 9 x 13 cake pan.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
