Get ready to meet your new favorite dessert. This peach cobbler dump cake is the absolute easiest, most foolproof way to satisfy a sweet craving. With just 3 simple pantry staples and about five minutes of hands-on time, you can have a warm, bubbly, and incredibly delicious dessert ready for the oven. It’s the perfect recipe for last-minute company, potlucks, or those nights when you need a comforting treat without any fuss.
This recipe transforms a simple box of cake mix and a can of peaches into a magical dessert with a soft, fruity bottom and a crunchy, buttery cobbler-like topping. It’s pure comfort in a dish, and I guarantee it will disappear fast!
Why You’ll Love This Peach Cobbler Dump Cake Recipe
- Unbelievably Easy: No mixing bowls required! You literally just dump the ingredients into a baking dish. It’s the perfect recipe for beginner bakers.
- Only 3 Core Ingredients: All you truly need are peaches, cake mix, and butter. It doesn’t get simpler than that.
- Pantry-Friendly: You probably have everything you need to make this right now. It’s my go-to recipe when the pantry looks a little bare.
- A Total Crowd-Pleaser: Warm, sweet, and comforting, this dessert is loved by kids and adults alike. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a guaranteed hit.
What Exactly Is a Dump Cake?
If you’re new to the concept, a dump cake is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a wonderfully simple dessert where the ingredients are “dumped” into a baking pan without any traditional stirring or mixing. Typically, this involves a layer of fruit (canned is common), followed by a layer of dry cake mix, and topped with melted butter.
As it bakes, the butter melts down into the cake mix, and the fruit juices bubble up, creating a delicious, tender cake layer with a crisp, buttery, cobbler-style topping. It’s the ultimate low-effort, high-reward dessert, and this peach cobbler version with cake mix is a classic for a reason.
Only 3 Core Ingredients!
You won’t believe how few ingredients you need for this spectacular dessert. It’s the definition of a pantry staple recipe.
- Canned Peaches: Two large cans of sliced peaches in heavy syrup are perfect. The syrup is key here—don’t drain it! It provides the moisture needed to bake the cake mix properly.
- Yellow Cake Mix: A standard box of yellow or golden butter cake mix provides the perfect flavor and texture for the topping.
- Butter: You’ll need one stick of salted butter, melted. The salt in the butter helps balance the sweetness of the peaches and cake mix.
Ingredient Notes & Easy Substitutions
- Peaches: While this recipe shines with canned peaches, you can absolutely use fresh or frozen. If using fresh peaches, you’ll need about 4-5 cups, peeled and sliced, and you may want to add 1/2 cup of sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice. If using frozen, thaw them first and include any juices.
- Cake Mix: Yellow cake mix is our top choice, but white cake mix, butter pecan, or even spice cake mix would be delicious variations.
- Butter: If you only have unsalted butter, just add a pinch of salt to the melted butter before pouring it over the cake mix.
How to Make Peach Cobbler Dump Cake (Step-by-Step)
This is truly one of the most effortless cobbler recipes you will ever make. Just layer and bake!
Peach Cobbler Dump Cake: The Easiest 3-Ingredient Dessert Ever!
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Pour both cans of sliced peaches, including all the heavy syrup, into the prepared baking dish. Spread them out into an even layer.
- If using, sprinkle the ground cinnamon evenly over the peaches.
- Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix directly from the box over the top of the peaches. Spread it out gently with a spatula to create an even layer, covering all the fruit. Do not stir.
- Drizzle the melted salted butter as evenly as possible over the entire surface of the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the powder as you can to avoid dry spots.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the top is a deep golden brown and the peach filling is hot and bubbling around the edges.
- Let the peach cobbler dump cake cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set up a bit. It is best served warm, on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Notes
Butter Coverage: Ensure the melted butter covers as much of the cake mix as possible for a uniformly golden and crispy crust.
Variations: Feel free to add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts over the cake mix before adding the butter for a delicious crunch.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Dump Cake
While this recipe is nearly foolproof, a few simple tips will guarantee a perfect result every time.
- Don’t Stir! I can’t stress this enough. The magic is in the layers. Resist the urge to mix anything together.
- Spread Evenly: Make sure the peaches form an even layer on the bottom and that you sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top, covering the fruit completely.
- Cover with Butter: Drizzle the melted butter as evenly as possible over the entire surface of the cake mix. This is crucial for creating that golden, crispy topping and avoiding dry patches.
- Bake Until Bubbly: The dump cake is done when the topping is a deep golden brown and you can see the fruit filling bubbling thickly around the edges of the pan.
Delicious Variations to Try
This simple recipe is a fantastic base for getting creative. Here are a few of our favorite additions:
- Add Warm Spices: Sprinkle a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a half-teaspoon of nutmeg over the peaches before adding the cake mix for a classic, cozy flavor.
- Go Nuts: Scatter a half-cup of chopped pecans or walnuts over the cake mix before drizzling with butter. It adds a wonderful, toasty crunch.
- Brown Sugar Topping: For an extra-crisp, caramelized crust, sprinkle a few tablespoons of brown sugar over the cake mix along with the nuts.
- Try Other Fruits: This dump cake method works beautifully with other canned fruits like cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, or apple pie filling.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions
One of the best parts about this peach cobbler dump cake is that it’s just as delicious the next day. Here’s how to store it properly.
Storing Leftovers
Allow the dump cake to cool completely, then cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil. You can store it at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Can You Freeze Peach Dump Cake?
Yes, you can! For best results, let the cake cool completely. You can freeze it directly in the baking dish (if it’s freezer-safe and well-wrapped) or transfer individual portions to airtight, freezer-safe containers. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat
You can enjoy leftovers cold or at room temperature, but it’s best when warm! To reheat, place an individual serving in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. To reheat a larger portion, place it in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you don’t! While canned peaches in heavy syrup are the easiest option, you can also use about 4-5 cups of sliced fresh peaches (add 1/2 cup sugar) or an equivalent amount of thawed frozen peaches (include their juice).
Your dump cake is ready when the topping is a deep golden brown all over and the fruit filling is thick and actively bubbling up around the edges of the baking dish. This usually takes about 40-50 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
No, absolutely do not stir! The magic of a dump cake comes from layering the ingredients. The fruit on the bottom, followed by the dry cake mix, and topped with melted butter creates the perfect texture with a soft fruit base and a crispy, cobbler-like topping.
A classic yellow cake mix or golden butter cake mix provides the best traditional flavor. However, white cake mix, butter pecan, and even spice cake mix are delicious variations that work wonderfully.
A dry top usually means the melted butter wasn’t distributed evenly over the dry cake mix. To prevent this, make sure you drizzle the butter to cover as much of the surface as possible. This ensures the entire topping bakes into a moist, golden crust.
The Easiest Dessert You’ll Ever Make
This peach cobbler dump cake truly delivers maximum flavor for minimal effort. It’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again for its simplicity and delicious, comforting results. Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to save it to your favorite dessert board on Pinterest!
