This easy Peach Dump Cake uses just a few simple ingredients and is a wonderful way to enjoy fresh peaches. Similar to a cobbler, it’s best served warm with a scoop of ice cream.
If you have ripe peaches, this recipe is an easy crowd-pleaser. For another peach treat, try a coconut peach cobbler recipe.
Peach season is one of my favorites, and this dessert celebrates those sweet summer fruits. I based this version on a classic dump cake because it’s so fast to assemble and always popular with my family.
We enjoyed the first pan quickly, and it’s already on rotation for summer gatherings. This recipe is forgiving and simple, making it a great option when you have an abundance of peaches.
Ingredients
- Peaches: About 2 1/2 pounds fresh peaches, weighed before pitting. You can add a bit more or less—this is a forgiving recipe.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar adds a richer flavor to the filling.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the filling so the texture stays closer to a cobbler than a runny sauce.
- Lemon Juice: A tablespoon of fresh lemon juice brightens the peach flavor.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Warm spices that enhance the fruit; nutmeg is optional if you prefer.
- Cake Mix: A dry boxed yellow cake mix works well, but white or spice cake mixes are fine too. Do not add the mix’s listed wet ingredients—use it dry as a topping.
- Butter: Use 1 cup unsalted butter, half melted and half thinly sliced for topping.
How to Make Peach Dump Cake
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
STEP 2: Wash, pit, and slice the peaches. Aim for slices that are not too thin so they hold their shape while baking. Leaving the skins on is optional—skins help the slices stay intact and add texture.
STEP 3: In a large bowl, gently combine the peach slices with 1/3 cup light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg (if using). Stir carefully so ripe peaches don’t get mushy.
STEP 4: Spread the peach mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, trying to keep the fruit in a single layer as much as possible.
STEP 5: Evenly sprinkle one box of dry yellow cake mix over the peaches.
STEP 6: Melt 1/2 cup of the butter and drizzle it over the cake mix. Slice the remaining 1/2 cup into very thin pats and arrange them evenly across the top. The combination of melted and sliced butter helps the dry cake mix bake into a golden, slightly crisp topping.
STEP 7: Bake for 40–50 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and the top is golden. You may notice a few dry spots where the cake mix didn’t fully absorb moisture; gently press them down after baking if desired so they moisten from the filling.
STEP 8: Serve warm, ideally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Tips and Tricks
Most standard boxed cake mixes will work; I used a 13.25-ounce yellow cake mix. If you end up with small dry patches of topping, you can press them into the filling so they soften.
Leaving the peach skins on helps the slices hold together better, but peel them if you prefer a smoother texture. Store leftovers in the refrigerator; reheat portions in the microwave or enjoy cold.
More Peach Desserts
Try other peach desserts like peaches and cream bars, peach Melba pie, or a cast-iron peach crostata for more ways to enjoy the season.
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Peach Dump Cake
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Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds fresh peaches
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 box yellow cake mix* dry
- 1 cup butter
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
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Pit and slice the peaches. Leaving the peels on is optional.
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Combine peaches with brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir gently to avoid mashing soft fruit.
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Spread the peach mixture in a 9×13-inch baking dish in as close to a single layer as possible.
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Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the peaches.
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Melt 1/2 cup butter and drizzle over the cake mix. Slice the remaining 1/2 cup into thin pieces and distribute across the top.
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Bake 40–50 minutes, until the edges are bubbling and the top is golden. If there are dry patches of mix, press them down to moisten from the filling if desired.
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Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
Recipe Notes:
You may find small dry spots on top after baking; press them down so they absorb moisture, or leave them for extra texture.
Nutrition values are estimates and can vary by brand and portion size. Use them as a general guide.