Peach Dump Cake Recipe: The Easiest Dessert You'll Ever Make

Have you ever wanted a dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but actually takes just minutes to prepare? A peach dump cake recipe delivers exactly that magic. Making this homemade peach dessert is valuable because you control the ingredients, avoid preservatives, and create a warm, comforting treat that rivals any bakery version. Unlike complicated layer cakes, this dump cake for peaches requires no mixing bowls, no creaming butter, and no precise measurements – just dump, bake, and enjoy. The focus keyword "peach dump cake recipe" and the related keyword "dump cake for peaches" represent a dessert revolution that busy home cooks absolutely adore.

Ingredients List

    • 2 cans (29 oz each) sliced peaches in juice or light syrup, undrained
    • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (or white cake mix)
    • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
    • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

For Serving:

    • Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
    • Optional: caramel sauce for drizzling

Timing / Cooking Schedule

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 45 minutes

Total time: 50 minutes

This dessert is faster than most peach cobbler recipe versions and perfect for last-minute gatherings. You'll have a bubbling, golden dessert ready before you finish dinner cleanup.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This prevents sticking and makes serving easier.

Step 2: Layer the Peaches Pour both cans of peaches with their juice directly into the baking dish. Spread them evenly across the bottom. The juice creates steam that keeps everything moist and caramelizes beautifully. Sprinkle the sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract over the peaches for enhanced flavor depth.

Step 3: Add the Cake Mix Evenly distribute the dry cake mix over the peaches. Don't stir! The "dump" method means layering without mixing. Use a spatula to gently spread the mix to cover all fruit, ensuring even coverage for consistent texture.

Step 4: Drizzle the Butter Pour the melted butter evenly over the entire surface of the cake mix. Try to cover as much of the dry mix as possible – this creates that signature crispy, golden topping. If using nuts, sprinkle them on top now.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling vigorously. The cake should look set and slightly crispy. Don't underbake – you want that caramelized crust that contrasts with the soft peaches beneath.

Step 6: Cool and Serve Let the dump cake for peaches cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to thicken slightly, making serving cleaner while keeping it wonderfully warm.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 12):

    • Calories: 285
    • Protein: 2g
    • Carbohydrates: 48g
    • Fat: 10g
    • Fiber: 2g
    • Vitamin C: 8% DV
    • Iron: 4% DV

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Flavor Variations: - Mix peaches with blueberries or raspberries for a mixed fruit version - Use spice cake mix instead of yellow cake for deeper warmth - Add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract to the peach layer

Dietary Swaps: - Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free cake mix - Lower sugar: Choose peaches in water and reduce added sugar to 1/4 cup - Dairy-free: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter

Make-Ahead Tips: Assemble the entire dish without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake directly from the fridge, adding 5-10 minutes to cooking time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Draining the Peaches Never drain the canned peaches completely. The juice creates necessary moisture and prevents dry cake topping.

Mistake 2: Stirring the Layers Resist the urge to mix! The magic happens when layers bake separately, creating distinct textures.

Mistake 3: Insufficient Butter Coverage Dry patches of cake mix won't bake properly. Ensure thorough butter coverage, even if you need an extra tablespoon or two.

Mistake 4: Using a Small Pan A 9x13-inch dish is essential. Smaller pans cause overflow and uneven cooking.

Mistake 5: Cutting Too Soon Cutting immediately makes the dessert soupy. Always allow proper cooling time.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Store leftover peach dump cake recipe covered tightly with aluminum foil or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The topping will soften slightly when refrigerated, but reheating restores some crispness.

Reheating Instructions: - Oven method: Reheat individual portions at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until warmed through - Microwave: Heat single servings for 30-45 seconds, though the topping won't crisp

Freezing: Freeze dump cake for peaches in individual portions wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven for best results. The texture remains remarkably good, making this perfect for batch dessert preparation.