If you’re dreaming of an easy, cheerful summer dessert packed with juicy fruit and golden, buttery topping, the Peach Dump Cake Recipe is about to become your new obsession. With hardly any prep time or fuss, this Southern-inspired classic delivers spoonfuls of warm peaches mingling with tender cake and a hint of spice. The best part? You don’t need any baking wizardry for the Peach Dump Cake Recipe—just a few pantry staples and a hunger for pure comfort. Bake it once, and you’ll be hooked for life!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is delightfully straightforward, calling for just a handful of familiar ingredients. Each one brings something essential, whether it’s sweetness, richness, or that irresistible fluffy topping everyone loves in a Peach Dump Cake Recipe.
- Peaches in Juice or Light Syrup: The star of the show! Using canned peaches (juice and all) brings natural sweetness and a super-juicy base that bubbles beautifully as it bakes.
- Yellow Cake Mix: This handy shortcut forms a light, fluffy, golden crust over the fruit, soaking up just enough peachy flavor to keep every bite moist.
- Unsalted Butter: Thin slices melt into the cake mix as it bakes, creating those buttery pockets and crispy, golden edges everyone fights over.
- Ground Cinnamon (optional): A sprinkle of cinnamon adds cozy, fragrant warmth, enhancing the summery peach flavor perfectly.
- Ground Nutmeg (optional): Just a hint brings extra depth and a gentle spice, making the dessert even more comforting.
- Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped Cream (optional): These are not essential, but trust me, serving with a scoop of something cool and creamy takes the Peach Dump Cake Recipe to legendary status.
How to Make Peach Dump Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready to work its magic. Then, lightly grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with a smidge of butter or nonstick spray. This helps ensure that golden, caramelized fruit at the edges lifts out cleanly (every last bite is precious!).
Step 2: Layer the Peaches
Pour both cans of peaches—juice and all—straight into the prepared baking dish and spread them into an even layer. The juice is important: it helps transform the dry cake mix into a luscious cobbler-like topping. If you want a little extra flavor, now’s the time to sprinkle over the cinnamon and nutmeg.
Step 3: Sprinkle Cake Mix Evenly
Open up your box of yellow cake mix and sprinkle the dry powder evenly over the peaches. The key? Don’t stir! Keeping the cake mix undisturbed on top helps create those delightful textures, from crunchy peaks to tender pockets of cake. Make sure every corner is covered for an even bake.
Step 4: Top with Butter
Evenly arrange thin slices of unsalted butter across the entire surface. As the cake bakes, the butter melts down into the cake mix, creating rich flavor and that signature crisp topping. Try to space the butter out so no spot is left dry—generosity pays off!
Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
Slide the baking dish into your preheated oven and let those incredible aromas fill your kitchen. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is deep golden brown and the peach filling is bubbling up around the edges. Let it cool for a few minutes—this helps everything settle, making it easier to serve while staying perfectly gooey.
How to Serve Peach Dump Cake Recipe
Garnishes
You haven’t truly experienced the magic of Peach Dump Cake Recipe until you’ve crowned it with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a swirl of whipped cream. That creamy contrast melts over the warm cake, making for an irresistible finish. For a little color, add a sprig of mint or a dusting of cinnamon on top!
Side Dishes
This dessert sings as a solo act, but if you’re hosting a summer gathering, try pairing your Peach Dump Cake with a fresh fruit salad, a bowl of mixed berries, or lemony iced tea. These sides keep things seasonal and light, letting the warm flavors shine without overpowering.
Creative Ways to Present
For easy entertaining, serve individual portions in mason jars or ramekins with a scoop of ice cream on top. Or, make mini versions in muffin tins for a playful twist! For picnics or potlucks, let guests scoop their own right out of the dish—something about the casual approach makes the Peach Dump Cake Recipe even more inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you manage to have leftovers, cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container, then refrigerate. The Peach Dump Cake Recipe keeps well for up to 4 days, and honestly, the flavors get even cozier overnight as everything melds together.
Freezing
This recipe freezes surprisingly well! Cool the cake completely, then wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and foil or use airtight freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, let the cake defrost in the refrigerator overnight for the best texture.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth, reheat individual servings in the microwave in 30-second bursts until hot. If you’re warming a larger portion, cover with foil and bake at 325°F (163°C) for about 15-20 minutes. Top with fresh ice cream for that irresistible hot-and-cold combo.
FAQs
Can I use fresh or frozen peaches instead of canned?
Absolutely! Substitute about 4 cups of fresh or frozen peaches. Just add a half cup of sugar and a quarter cup of water to create a juicy base that mimics the effect of canned peaches. It gives your Peach Dump Cake Recipe a truly homemade touch.
Do I need to prepare the cake mix or just sprinkle it dry?
No prep needed—just sprinkle the dry cake mix straight from the box, right on top of the fruit. The peach juices and butter do all the work, transforming it into a deliciously tender topping as it bakes.
Why shouldn’t I stir the cake mix and peaches together?
Resist the urge! Pouring the cake mix dry over the fruit keeps the layers distinct—so the buttery cake topping stays light and fluffy, while the peaches below turn bubbly and saucy. Stirring would muddy the texture, which isn’t what you want in a classic Peach Dump Cake Recipe.
What other cake mix flavors work for this recipe?
Yellow cake mix is a crowd-pleaser, but white or spice cake mixes work beautifully too. Each gives the Peach Dump Cake Recipe a different twist; spice cake brings warmth and boldness, while white cake stays subtle and lets the peaches take the lead.
How do I know when the Peach Dump Cake is ready?
Look for a deep golden-brown topping with spots of crispiness and bubbling peach filling at the edges. If some areas of the cake mix look dry, just pop it back in the oven for a few more minutes. A few soft spots are normal, though—they add to the gooey charm!
Final Thoughts
From start to finish, this Peach Dump Cake Recipe is pure comfort in a pan. It’s exactly the kind of easy-breezy, joy-filled bake that makes any evening a celebration. If you haven’t tried it yet, your only regret will be not discovering it sooner. Gather your peaches, invite some friends, and let the sweet aromas make memories in your kitchen tonight!
Print
Peach Dump Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this Peach Dump Cake, a simple and scrumptious dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With juicy peaches, a buttery cake topping, and optional warm spices, this easy-to-make treat will impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
Canned Peaches:
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) sliced peaches in juice or light syrup (undrained)
Cake Mix:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 ounces)
Butter:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick, cut into thin slices)
Optional:
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare Peaches: Spread peaches with juice in the baking dish. Add cinnamon and nutmeg if desired.
- Add Cake Mix: Sprinkle dry cake mix over peaches, do not stir.
- Layer Butter: Arrange butter slices on top of the cake mix.
- Bake: Bake for 45–50 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Let cool slightly and enjoy with ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen peaches with added sugar and water if desired.
- Experiment with different cake mix flavors for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
