Craving a warm, bubbly peach cobbler with a buttery, golden-brown topping, but don’t have the time for a complicated recipe? You’ve come to the right place. This incredibly simple peach cobbler with cake mix is the ultimate dessert shortcut. It delivers all the comforting, classic flavor you love with just 3 simple ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep time. It’s a true game-changer for busy weeknights, last-minute potlucks, or anytime a sweet craving strikes!
This recipe, often called a “dump cake,” is celebrated for its simplicity and foolproof results. You literally just layer the ingredients in a baking dish and let the oven do all the work. The magic happens as the butter melts into the cake mix, creating a wonderfully crisp and tender cobbler-style topping over the sweet, juicy peaches. It’s a delicious dessert that proves you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create something truly special.
Why This Cake Mix Peach Cobbler is a Game-Changer
If you’re looking for the easiest dessert on the planet, this is it. It’s a recipe that belongs in every home cook’s back pocket for those “I need dessert NOW” moments. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: With just 5 minutes of hands-on time, you get a dessert that tastes like it took all day to make.
- Only 3 Simple Ingredients: No need for a long grocery list! You just need canned peaches, a box of cake mix, and butter. That’s it!
- Foolproof for All Skill Levels: Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a complete beginner, you cannot mess this up. There’s no mixing, no measuring flour—just layering.
- Perfectly Customizable: While the 3-ingredient version is divine, you can easily add your own touch with spices, nuts, or different cake mix flavors. More on that below!
This is the kind of recipe that builds confidence in the kitchen and leaves everyone asking for a second helping. It’s truly one of the most incredibly easy peach cobbler recipes you will ever find.
The Magic of Just 3 Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Let’s break down the core components that create this effortless masterpiece.
- Canned Peaches: For ultimate convenience, we use two large cans of sliced peaches. Using them with their syrup is key—the liquid helps create a steam that bakes the cobbler topping from below, ensuring no dry spots.
- Yellow Cake Mix: A standard box of yellow or butter yellow cake mix provides the structure, sweetness, and flavor for our topping. It’s the secret weapon that makes this so easy.
- Butter: Melted butter is poured over the top, sinking into the dry cake mix to create that irresistible, crispy-on-top, soft-underneath texture that makes a cobbler so delicious.
How to Make Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix: Step-by-Step
Ready to see how simple this is? In just four steps, you’ll have a warm, bubbly dessert ready for the oven. It’s the perfect example of a classic peach dump cake.
Easy Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix
Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix (The Easiest 3-Ingredient Dessert!)
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 syrup, into the prepared baking dish. Spread them out into an even layer. If using, sprinkle the ground cinnamon over the peaches.
- Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the top of the peaches, covering them completely. Gently spread it out, but do not stir or mix it in.
- Slowly and evenly drizzle the melted butter over the entire surface of the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the powder as possible.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is hot and bubbly around the edges.
- Let the cobbler cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up slightly. Serve warm, preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Serving Suggestion: This cobbler is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Cobbler Every Time
While this recipe is famously forgiving, a few simple tricks can take your cake mix cobbler from great to absolutely perfect.
- Don’t Drain The Peaches: This is the most important tip! The syrup or juice in the can is essential. It mixes with the cake mix to create a tender, cake-like layer under the crisp crust and prevents the topping from being dry.
- Spread the Cake Mix Evenly: When you sprinkle the dry cake mix over the peaches, make sure it’s in a flat, even layer. This ensures the entire surface gets coated in butter and bakes into a uniform golden crust.
- Pour Melted Butter Slowly: Drizzle the melted butter as evenly as you can over the entire surface of the cake mix. This is what creates that signature crunchy, buttery topping. Some people prefer to dot with slices of cold butter, which also works well.
- Do NOT Stir: Resist the temptation to stir anything together! The magic is in the layers. The separation of fruit, dry mix, and butter is what creates the distinct textures of a perfect cobbler.
- Add a Sprinkle of Spice: For a touch of warmth that beautifully complements the peaches, sprinkle a little ground cinnamon or nutmeg directly over the peaches before adding the cake mix.
Delicious Variations to Try
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Think of this 3-ingredient version as your delicious starting point.
- Try Different Cake Mixes: While yellow cake mix is classic, you can experiment! White cake mix, butter pecan, or even spice cake mix would be fantastic.
- Add a Crunchy Topping: Before baking, sprinkle a handful of chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds over the top for a delightful crunch.
- Incorporate Brown Sugar: For a deeper, more caramel-like flavor, sprinkle a 1/4 cup of brown sugar over the cake mix before drizzling with butter.
- Mix Your Fruits: Feel free to substitute one can of peaches with a can of drained pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, or fruit cocktail for a different flavor profile.
This base recipe is a fantastic canvas, much like a traditional Southern peach cobbler, but with endless possibilities for customization.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Have leftovers? No problem! This cobbler stores wonderfully and reheats beautifully.
- Storing: Allow the cobbler to cool completely, then cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the cobbler. Let it cool completely, then cover it with a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat peach cobbler and revive the crispy topping is in the oven. Place it in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions for about 45-60 seconds, but you’ll lose some of the crust’s crispness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can. For fresh peaches, you’ll need about 6-8 peeled and sliced peaches. Toss them with 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of water before layering in the dish. For frozen peaches, thaw them first and use them along with any juices, just like you would with canned peaches.
Absolutely! While yellow or butter yellow cake mix is classic, this recipe is delicious with white cake mix, French vanilla, or even a spice cake mix for a fall-inspired twist. Experiment with your favorites!
No, do not drain the peaches! The syrup or juice in the can is essential. It combines with the dry cake mix during baking to create a moist, cake-like layer beneath the crust and prevents the topping from becoming dry or powdery.
The cobbler is done when the topping is a deep golden brown and the peach filling is visibly hot and bubbling around the edges of the baking dish. This typically takes between 40 to 50 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
This usually happens if the melted butter wasn’t distributed evenly over the dry cake mix. To ensure a perfect crust, drizzle the melted butter slowly and carefully to cover as much of the surface as possible. Any dry spots are just areas the butter didn’t reach.
The Perfect Lazy Day Dessert
This peach cobbler with cake mix is more than just a recipe; it’s a solution for a delicious, comforting dessert without the fuss. It’s proof that you can achieve incredible flavor with minimal ingredients and effort. Serve it warm, topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, and watch it disappear.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below or share a photo of your creation and tag me on Pinterest. Happy baking!
