This Easy Peach Dump Cake is the classic 3-ingredient dessert made with canned peaches, cake mix, and butter. Think of it as a peach cobbler that's even easier to make, with warm, syrupy peaches and a buttery, golden cake topping that comes together in about 5 minutes.
I'll also show you how to make it with fresh summer peaches when they're in season if you want to take this classic dessert to the next level.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏱️ Ready In: About 50 minutes (5 minutes prep + 45 minutes baking)
- 👪 Serves: 12
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Canned peaches, butter cake mix, and butter
- 🍑 Summer Upgrade: Add fresh peaches, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for even more peach flavor.
- 🎉 Best For: Summer cookouts, potlucks, family gatherings, and easy last-minute desserts
- ⭐ Why It Works: The peaches bake into a warm, syrupy filling while the cake mix and butter create a buttery, golden topping with almost no prep.
- ⚠️ What to Watch For: Don't stir the layers, and spread the butter evenly over the cake mix so it bakes without dry patches.
- 🔥 Bake Temp: 350°F
I've been making Peach Dump Cake for years because it's one of those dependable desserts that always disappears at parties and family gatherings. The classic version is hard to beat when you need a quick, easy dessert, but every summer I look forward to making it with fresh peaches when they're in season. Both versions are simple, comforting, and always a hit served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Planning a summer cookout or family gathering? Pair this easy Peach Dump Cake with my Perfect Pulled Pork, Crockpot Baked Beans, and Homemade Coleslaw for an easy crowd-pleasing meal, then browse my Summer Recipes, Easy Dessert Recipes, and BBQ & Grilling Recipes for more seasonal inspiration.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients You'll Need
- Substitutions and Add-Ins
- Variations
- 🍑 Make It with Fresh Peaches (My Favorite Summer Upgrade)
- How to Make Peach Dump Cake
- Make It in the Slow Cooker
- Expert Tips
- Troubleshooting Guide
- Storage & Make Ahead Tips
- FAQs
- Serving Suggestions
- More Dessert Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Community
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Only 3 ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep. It's one of the easiest desserts you'll ever make.
- Warm, buttery, and full of sweet, syrupy peaches. It has all the cozy flavors of peach cobbler with even less work.
- Perfect for feeding a crowd. Bring it to cookouts, potlucks, family gatherings, or serve it warm with vanilla ice cream after dinner.
- Easy to customize. Make the classic version with pantry staples or dress it up with fresh summer peaches when they're in season.
- ⭐ Crowd Favorite: This is one of those desserts everyone goes back for seconds.
Reader Review: Lynda says, "Love it! ❤️looks good and easy. I'm sure you could do this with other canned fruits also!! ( plums, figs, cherries etc. )" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ingredients You'll Need
This easy Peach Dump Cake comes together with just three simple pantry staples.
- Canned Peaches - Peaches packed in heavy syrup create the classic sweet, syrupy filling. You can use peaches packed in light syrup or 100% fruit juice, but drain about 1 cup of the liquid so the filling isn't too thin.
- Butter Cake Mix - I prefer butter cake mix because it creates a richer, buttery flavor and a beautifully golden topping.
- Salted Butter - Thin slices of cold, salted butter melt evenly over the cake mix to create a crisp, buttery topping. Unsalted butter works, too.
See the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and step-by-step instructions.
Substitutions and Add-Ins
- Yellow Cake Mix - Creates the classic Peach Dump Cake flavor and bakes into a delicious golden topping.
White Cake Mix - Creates a lighter vanilla flavor while still baking into a delicious golden topping. - Unsalted Butter - Works just as well if that's what you have on hand.
- Chopped Pecans - Sprinkle over the topping before baking for a soft, buttery crunch.
Variations
- 🍑 Make It with Fresh Peaches (My Favorite Summer Upgrade): Add fresh peaches, warm spices, and a buttery streusel topping for even more peach flavor during peach season.
- Slow Cooker Peach Dump Cake: Make it in the slow cooker and keep it warm until you're ready to serve. It's perfect for potlucks and parties.
- Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake: Swap the peaches for cherry pie filling and crushed pineapple for another easy dump cake favorite.
- Apple Dump Cake: Replace the peaches with apple pie filling for an easy fall dessert.
🍑 Make It with Fresh Peaches (My Favorite Summer Upgrade)
If you're making this Peach Dump Cake during peach season, this is my favorite way to take it to the next level. I combine fresh peaches with canned peaches for the best balance of fresh peach flavor, texture, sweetness, and that classic syrupy filling.
- Drain the canned peaches: Don't skip this step. Fresh peaches release plenty of juice as they bake, so draining the canned peaches keeps the filling from becoming too runny.
- Use both fresh and canned peaches: Fresh peaches add wonderful flavor and texture, while canned peaches create the classic syrupy filling and ensure there's plenty of fruit in every bite.
- Add warm spices: Toss the peaches with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg to enhance the natural sweetness of the peaches.
- Make a quick streusel topping: Pulse the cake mix with cold butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until crumbly. The streusel bakes into an even more flavorful, golden topping.
- Bake until golden and bubbly: Because you're adding more fruit, this version usually needs a little longer to bake. The topping should be golden brown, and the filling should be bubbling around the edges before serving.
How to Make Peach Dump Cake
To make Peach Dump Cake, layer canned peaches, dry cake mix, and butter in a baking dish, then bake until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Preheat the Oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Add the Peaches. Pour the canned peaches with their syrup into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and spread them into an even layer.
- Add the Cake Mix. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the peaches, covering them from edge to edge. Do not stir. The layers bake together in the oven.
- Add the Butter. Slice the cold butter into thin pieces and arrange them evenly over the cake mix, covering as much of the surface as possible.
- Bake. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peaches are bubbling around the edges.
- Rest and Serve. Let the Peach Dump Cake rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This gives the syrupy filling time to set slightly while staying warm.
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Make It in the Slow Cooker
Taking dessert to a party? Peach Dump Cake is just as easy to make in a slow cooker, and it stays warm until you're ready to serve.
- Add the peaches with their syrup to the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over the peaches. Do not stir.
- Arrange thin slices of butter over the cake mix, covering as much of the surface as possible.
- Cover and cook on High for about 2 hours, or until the topping is set and the filling is hot and bubbly.
- Switch the slow cooker to the Warm setting until you're ready to serve.
My Tip: I love taking Peach Dump Cake to parties in a slow cooker with a locking lid. It travels well, keeps dessert warm, and makes serving easy.
Expert Tips
- Bake until the filling bubbles around the edges, not just until the timer goes off. Ovens vary, so the bubbling fruit and golden topping are the best indicators that your Peach Dump Cake is ready.
- Slice the butter as evenly as possible. Covering most of the cake mix helps the topping bake into an evenly golden crust while still allowing a few peaches to peek through.
- Serve Peach Dump Cake warm, not piping hot. Letting it rest for about 10 to 15 minutes gives the syrupy filling time to set slightly, making it easier to serve while still warm and delicious.
- Use ripe, freestone peaches for the summer upgrade. Freestone peaches are easier to peel without blanching, and their pits separate cleanly from the flesh, making them much quicker to prep. They also have wonderful flavor and texture for baking.
- Don't skip the streusel topping for the fresh peach version. Mixing the butter into the cake mix with the brown sugar and spices creates a more flavorful, evenly baked topping than simply layering butter over the top.
Troubleshooting Guide
- Too watery? If you prefer a thicker filling, drain about 1 cup of the syrup from the canned peaches. If you're adding fresh peaches, definitely drain about 1 cup of the syrup first because fresh peaches release additional juice as they bake.
- Too dry? Some dry patches on top are normal, but large dry areas usually mean the butter wasn't distributed evenly over the cake mix. Next time, spread the butter slices across the surface as evenly as possible.
- Not golden brown? Give the dump cake a few more minutes in the oven. It's ready when the topping is golden brown, and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Too soupy to serve? Let the dump cake rest for 10 to 15 minutes after baking. The filling thickens slightly as it cools, making it easier to scoop and serve.
- Overbaked? Serve it warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. The creamy ice cream adds moisture and makes every bite even more delicious.
Storage & Make Ahead Tips
- Make-Ahead: Peach Dump Cake is best when it comes out of the oven just before your guests arrive. It will stay warm while it rests for 10 to 15 minutes, giving the filling time to set before dessert is served.
- Traveling with It: This is one of my favorite desserts to take to parties. Bake it in a disposable aluminum pan for easy transport and cleanup.
- Slow Cooker: You can also make Peach Dump Cake in a slow cooker. Assemble it before the party, then let the slow cooker do the work while everyone visits. Your house will smell amazing, and dessert will be warm and ready to serve.
- Refrigerate: Cover leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze baked Peach Dump Cake for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, wrap it well, and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in a 325°F oven until warmed through.
- Reheat: Warm individual servings in the microwave, or reheat larger portions in a 325°F oven until warmed through. Serve warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
FAQs
To make Peach Dump Cake using fresh peaches, substitute about 8 cups of peeled, sliced fresh peaches for the canned peaches. Toss the peaches with ½ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg before using them in the recipe.
Peach Dump Cake bakes beautifully in a slow cooker, making it a great option for parties. Assemble everything before your guests arrive, then let it cook while everyone visits. Your house will smell amazing, and dessert will be warm and ready to serve.
I prefer butter cake mix for Peach Dump Cake because it creates a richer, buttery flavor and a beautifully golden topping. Yellow or white cake mix also works well.
Absolutely! Peach Dump Cake is one of my favorite desserts for cookouts, potlucks, and family gatherings. Bake it in a disposable aluminum pan for easy transport, or prepare it in a slow cooker with a locking lid to keep it warm and make traveling even easier.
Serving Suggestions
Peach Dump Cake is delicious served warm after a backyard barbecue, summer cookout, or family dinner.
- Top each serving with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
- Bake individual portions in ramekins or crème brûlée dishes for an elegant dessert at parties or dinner gatherings.
- Gift It: Divide the cooled Peach Dump Cake into individual dessert containers, add a pretty label, and tie on a spoon for a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Serve it after barbecue favorites like Grilled Ribeye Steak, Juicy Beer Can Chicken, Baked Beans, and Fresh Creamy Coleslaw for an easy summer meal everyone will remember.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Peach Dump Cake
Equipment
- 1 9 x 13-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 29 ounces sliced peaches in heavy syrup
- 1 box butter cake mix (Yellow or white cake mix also works.)
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks) cold salted butter, sliced thin
Instructions
Preheat Oven to 350°
- Add the Peaches. Pour one can of sliced peaches with heavy syrup into the bottom of an rectangular baking dish.29 ounces sliced peaches in heavy syrup
- Cake Mix. Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over the peaches, covering them from edge to edge. Do not stir.1 box butter cake mix
- Cover with Butter. Cut the sticks of butter into thin pieces and layer the pieces of butter evenly over the cake mix layer. Cover as much of the cake mix as possible with the butter slices.1 cup butter
- Bake. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peaches are bubbling around the edges.Let the Peach Dump Cake rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Do not stir the layers. The peaches, cake mix, and butter bake together to create the classic dump cake texture.
- Cover as much of the cake mix as possible with the butter slices. This helps the topping bake evenly with very few dry spots.
- The Peach Dump Cake is done when the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges, not just when the timer goes off.
- I prefer butter cake mix because it gives the topping a richer buttery flavor, but yellow or white cake mix both work well.
- For my Fresh Peach Summer Upgrade, drain about 1 cup of the syrup from the canned peaches before combining them with the fresh peaches. Fresh peaches release additional juice as they bake.
Conellia mable says
Easy
Seanna Borrows says
Totally!
Joy says
I want to make this today! I have canned peaches but I also have pineapple tidbits… if I want to add the pineapple do I have to use two boxes of cake mix? Thanks!
Seanna Borrows says
Hey there Joy! Pineapple is a great addition. No need to use two boxes of cake mix. One is just fine! I often add more fruit than the recipe amount. More is even better in this case! Happy Baking!
Penny says
This is so easy to make & it tastes fantastic! I made it using the peaches the first time & since then I have also made it using 2 cans of Blueberry Pie Filling with a white cake mix. This also tasted spectacular & our dinner guest just raved about it. No one will ever guess just how easy it is to make because it actually tastes as though you were in the kitchen cooking for hours! Never again will I have to panic whenever unexpected guests show up on our doorstep!
Seanna says
That's so awesome to hear, Penny! Blueberry sounds delicious.
Yvonne E Siber says
It sounds delicious. I was wondering if frozen fruits could be used instead of canned. I don't have canned fruits but I do have frozen, of course.
Seanna says
Hi Yvonne,
Thank you! Sure, though I haven't tested this recipe with frozen fruit. You'd need to sweeten up the frozen fruit first. Try adding 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to the frozen fruit and heat it up in a pan on the stovetop until its bubbly, syrupy, and sweet like canned fruit. If it's not sweet enough, add more sugar. Then follow the recipe steps to complete the Dump Cake. Let me know how it turns out!
Judy Given says
Can I use peach pie filling instead of canned peaches?
Seanna Borrows says
Absolutely! It'll turn out perfectly. I'll be sure to add that note in the recipe. Thanks so much for your question. 😊
Laura says
Super delicious and so easy to make. Next time I’m making it with blueberries.
Seanna says
Thanks Laura. Blueberry sounds so good!
Russ says
Incredibly D-licious!
Seanna says
Thanks Russ! Next up is Apple Crisp!
Hannah says
Looks delicious!! Can't wait to try :))))
Seanna says
Thanks Hannah! I hope you'll make it for your friends!
Cindy Coffman says
My mother in law showed me this recipe back in 1980s ...but we add crushed pineapple and use spice cake mix. I've done lemon cake too really good . I lost my recipe when we moved so looked up what temp to cook it on and cane to yours thank you for sharing 💕💕
Seanna Borrows says
Love the pineapple add in. Think I'll try that next time. And I bet spice cake mix or lemon are so good. It's really hard to go wrong with this recipes. Boy, can I can relate to losing things in a move. I'm so glad you found our site and I hope you'll be a regular. 😊