Easy Peach Cobbler Dump Cake

Remember those simple, no-fuss desserts your mom or grandma used to whip up that filled the kitchen with heavenly aromas? This Easy Peach Cobbler Dump Cake is exactly that kind of nostalgic treat. It combines the juicy goodness of a classic peach cobbler with the simplicity of a dump cake for the ultimate easy dessert recipe. And the best part? You don’t need to be a seasoned baker to make it – it’s a quick summer dessert anyone can throw together in just minutes, yet it tastes like you spent all day on it.

With just three main ingredients, this peach cobbler dump cake is as simple as it gets. In fact, it’s basically a 3-ingredient dessert that you can whip up with almost zero effort. You literally dump a few pantry staples into a pan and let the oven work its magic – no mixing bowls, no fuss. It’s also wonderfully affordable; dump cakes like this are famously budget-friendly desserts because they use inexpensive ingredients you might already have on hand. If you grew up enjoying old-fashioned cobblers at family gatherings, one bite of this warm, gooey peach delight will bring back those sweet memories and have you coming back for seconds!

A warm slice of peach cobbler dump cake served with whipped cream on top. This dessert is as comforting as it looks, with sweet peaches and a golden buttery cake topping. It’s so easy to make, yet impressive enough to serve for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 2 cans (15 ounces each) sliced peaches in syrup (canned peaches)
• 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

(Optional:) These are the only 3 ingredients you need for the basic dump cake. If you like, you can also have a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg on hand to add warm spice flavor, but that’s totally up to you!

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a bit of butter or cooking spray to ensure easy cleanup later.
2. Add the peaches: Dump the canned peaches into the prepared baking dish. Pour in all the syrup from the cans as well – this will create that luscious, saucy cobbler base. Spread the peaches out evenly. (If you love cinnamon, you can sprinkle a little cinnamon over the peaches at this point for extra flavor.)
3. Add the cake mix: Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the peaches. Try to cover all the fruit with an even layer of cake mix. Do not stir or mix it with the peaches – just let the cake mix sit dry on top of the fruit. It may look odd now, but trust the process!
4. Add the butter: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the entire surface of the cake mix. Make sure to cover as much of the dry cake mix as possible. The butter will soak in and moisten the mix, turning it into a golden crust as it bakes. (It’s okay if there are a few dry patches of mix here and there – the peach juices will bubble up and take care of those.)
5. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 45–50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top looks golden brown and the peach filling is bubbly around the edges. The kitchen will smell like sweet peaches and buttery cake – so inviting!
6. Cool slightly and serve: Remove the dump cake from the oven and let it cool for 5–10 minutes on a wire rack or stovetop. This brief rest helps the juices thicken up a bit and makes it easier to serve (and prevents anyone from burning their tongue on piping hot fruit). Then grab a spoon and scoop out servings into bowls or onto plates. Serve warm and enjoy! This cobbler-like cake is delicious on its own, but it’s heavenly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. Dig in and savor each bite of this easy, comforting dessert. 😋

Tips & Tricks

• Butter coverage is key: When pouring the butter over the cake mix, try to distribute it evenly so most of the dry mix is moistened. This ensures you get that perfect crispy-meets-gooey cobbler topping. You can even rotate the pan slightly to help the butter spread. (Some cooks like to use cold butter instead: if you prefer, cut a stick of cold butter into very thin slices and arrange the pats all over the cake mix to cover it. As it bakes, the butter will melt and seep in. Either method works – just make sure the cake mix isn’t left in big dry clumps.)
• Peaches & sweetness: Using canned peaches in heavy syrup will make the dump cake extra sweet and moist (almost like a pudding under the cake crust). If you prefer a less sweet version, you can use peaches canned in natural juice or light syrup, or even drain one of the cans before adding (leave at least one can with its juice so there’s enough liquid). The recipe is pretty forgiving. You can also sprinkle a pinch of salt over the top of the cake mix before baking to balance the sweetness a bit if desired.
• Serving & presentation: For best results, serve this dump cake warm. The contrast of warm, syrupy peaches and buttery cake with a cold topping is pure bliss. We love to dish it up in shallow bowls and top each serving with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a swirl of whipped cream. The cold cream starts melting over the warm cake – yum! 🍨 If you want to get fancy, you can garnish each dish with a mint leaf or a light dusting of cinnamon for a pretty presentation. This humble peach cobbler dump cake can actually look quite elegant when served up!
• Storing leftovers: If you miraculously have any leftovers, let the cake cool completely, then cover the baking dish with foil or plastic wrap (or transfer to an airtight container). Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, microwave individual portions for about 30-45 seconds until warm, or pop the whole dish back in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Pro tip: this dessert tastes great cold too – the flavors meld and the texture becomes like a chilled pudding-cobbler. So don’t be afraid to sneak a spoonful straight from the fridge!
• Pantry & budget-friendly: Keep the ingredients for this dump cake stocked in your pantry, and you’ll always have a quick dessert ready for any occasion. Canned peaches and boxed cake mix are inexpensive and have a long shelf life, making this recipe a go-to for those days when you need a budget-friendly sweet treat without a trip to the store. (Watch for sales at your grocery store – you can often snag cake mixes for a dollar and canned fruit for cheap, then stash them away for when a craving strikes.) It’s amazing how such simple ingredients transform into something so comforting and delicious.

Variations

One of the joys of a dump cake is how versatile it is. Once you’ve tried this classic peach version, feel free to get creative with these variations and twists:

• Fresh Peach Cobbler Dump Cake: When peaches are in season, you can absolutely use fresh peaches for an even more homemade taste. Peel and slice about 4 cups of fresh peaches (roughly 5–6 medium peaches). Toss the slices with about 1/2 cup of sugar (and optionally 1–2 teaspoons of lemon juice or a pinch of cinnamon) and let them sit for a few minutes to draw out the juices. Use this mixture in place of the canned peaches and syrup. The rest of the recipe stays the same. (If the fresh peaches release a ton of juice, you might not need all of it in the pan – you want the fruit nice and juicy but not swimming in liquid.) This variation takes a tad more prep, but the fresh flavor is worth it!
• Spice it up: To give your dump cake a warm, spiced flavor, add some cinnamon or nutmeg. You can sprinkle 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (and/or 1/4 tsp nutmeg) over the peaches before adding the cake mix. It’ll bake into the filling and give off that cozy spiced cobbler aroma. Another idea: use a spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix. A spice cake mix already has cinnamon, cloves, etc., and pairs wonderfully with peaches, almost like a fall-inspired peach dessert. A French vanilla or butter pecan cake mix can also add a fun flavor twist while keeping the process the same.
• Add a crunchy topping: If you love nuts or a bit of crunch in your cobbler, try sprinkling some on before baking. Chopped pecans or walnuts are a popular addition – just sprinkle about 1/2 cup of nuts evenly over the cake mix (before you pour on the butter). They’ll toast up nicely in the oven, resulting in a toasty, nutty crunch in each bite. This turns the dump cake into an even more cobbler-like dessert (since many traditional cobblers have nuts or a streusel on top). You could also add a handful of quick oats or coconut flakes on top of the cake mix for additional texture before baking.
• Mix in other fruits: While peach is a crowd-pleaser, you can mix in berries with your peaches for a colorful twist. For example, try adding a cup of fresh or frozen blueberries or raspberries in with the peaches to make a peach-berry dump cake. The extra berries add a pop of color and tartness that complements the sweet peaches. (No other changes needed – just dump them in!). This recipe method also works with other fruit altogether: you can swap the peaches for canned cherry pie filling to make a cherry dump cake, or use apple pie filling for an apple dump cake. The dump cake technique is the same no matter the fruit, so the sky’s the limit.
• Soda cake twist: Want to try a neat trick that some folks use for dump cakes? You can pour a can of lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7-Up) over the dry cake mix instead of melted butter. Yes, it sounds crazy, but the carbonation and sweetness of the soda will moisten the cake mix and help create a bubbly cobbler topping in the oven. This low-fat variation cuts out the butter (great if you’re watching calories or cholesterol) and still tastes yummy – the texture of the topping will be a bit softer and fluffier, somewhat like a sponge cake meets cobbler. Simply pour a 12-ounce can of clear soda evenly over the cake mix (make sure all the powder gets wet), and bake as usual. You’ll miss out on that buttery richness, but it’s a fun and lighter variation to experiment with (and useful if you find yourself out of butter!). For a peaches and cream vibe, some people even use a can of cream soda for a vanilla hint. Try it out and see what you think!

Conclusion

There you have it – a peach cobbler dump cake that delivers all the comfort and flavor of a traditional cobbler with barely any effort. This recipe is truly a lifesaver for busy days, last-minute guests, or anytime you need a foolproof dessert that everyone will love. We hope it brings back fond memories and creates new ones for you and your family.

If you give this easy dessert a try, let us know how it turned out! Feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts or any tweaks you made – we love hearing your kitchen stories. And if you enjoyed this recipe, please share it with friends or family who could use a little sweet comfort in their lives. Happy baking, and enjoy every warm, peachy bite!