The Only Peach Dump Cake Recipe You’ll Need in 2025

There’s just something magical about the simplicity of a peach dump cake. It’s sweet, warm, buttery, and comforting all without requiring any fancy baking skills.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by from-scratch baking or need a quick dessert for your next gathering, this 3-ingredient wonder (plus a few optional upgrades) might become your go-to recipe.

Whether hosting a summer barbecue, a holiday dinner, or simply craving something cozy, this easy peach dump cake with cake mix and canned peaches is the dessert to beat.

Let’s walk through every step together, with all the pro tips and spice magic included!

🍑 What Is a Peach Dump Cake, Exactly?

If you’ve never made a dump cake before, you might wonder what makes it so special or what it even is.

A dump cake is a ridiculously easy dessert. You literally dump ingredients into a baking dish, layer them (no mixing required), and bake.

That’s it. No fancy techniques, no stand mixers, no stressing over batter consistency. It’s the epitome of a lazy-day dessert, yet the results taste like you put in way more effort.

Now, let’s talk specifically about the Peach Dump Cake.

This classic Southern-style dessert combines juicy canned peaches, dry cake mix, and butter. As it bakes, the butter melts through the cake mix, creating a golden, crumbly topping that’s somewhere between a buttery crisp and a rustic cobbler.

The peaches underneath become warm, syrupy, and lightly spiced (if you choose to go that route), and the whole thing transforms into a comforting, crowd-pleasing treat.

It’s the kind of dessert that feels nostalgic, tastes homemade, and always leaves people asking for seconds, even though it only took you a few minutes to prepare.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

This dessert requires only three main ingredients, making it perfect for last-minute baking or busy days.

But if you want to enhance the flavor, a few simple pantry spices and sweeteners can take it from good to next-level delicious.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

📝 Note: These extras aren’t required, but they turn a basic dump cake into something that tastes like your Southern grandma made it from scratch.

🌟 Why Add the Extras?

Peaches, cake mix, and butter already sound like a winning combo. So why mess with a good thing?

The answer is simple: flavor enhancement.

Canned peaches in syrup are sweet but often lack fresh fruit’s bright, vibrant peachy flavor. That’s where a few clever additions come in:

• Brown sugar brings a subtle molasses depth that complements the syrupy peaches.
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves create a warm, cozy spice blend that’s often used in cobblers and crumbles. They also help balance out the sweetness and add complexity.
• Lemon juice might sound unusual, but it brightens the flavor, adds contrast, and prevents things from tasting one-dimensional.
• Salt sharpens all the flavors and rounds out the sweetness. A tiny pinch goes a long way.

Think of these extras like the supporting cast in a great movie. They’re not the show’s star, but they make the performance unforgettable.

And remember you’re still dumping everything into one pan. These upgrades don’t add any real complexity, but they add that “wow” factor that turns a simple dessert into something spectacular.

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step: How to Make Peach Dump Cake

If you’ve ever wished for a dessert that’s as easy as it is crowd-pleasing, this peach dump cake recipe is your answer. Let’s walk through the process together, step by step.

You’ll see just how forgiving, flexible, and fun this Southern classic is. By the end, you’ll have a golden, buttery, fruity dessert ready to impress.

🔥 Step 1: Preheat and Prep the Dish

Before you do anything else, turn your oven to 350°F (175°C) to preheat while you prep the ingredients.

Grab your 9×13-inch baking dish; this is the perfect size for layering everything without overcrowding.

Now, take a bit of the butter (slice off a small portion from one of your sticks) and use it to grease the dish generously.

You can use your fingers, a paper towel, or a pastry brush to coat the bottom and sides. This ensures the peaches don’t stick and your cake lifts out easily.

Pro Tip: Greasing the dish with real butter (rather than spray) adds another layer of richness to your base.

🍑 Step 2: Dump the Peaches

Now for the star of the show: the peaches.

Open three 15.25-oz cans of peaches in heavy syrup, and here’s the key: do not drain them. The syrup is essential. It adds moisture and flavor and helps create that gooey, cobbler-like texture underneath the crumble topping.

Pour all three cans into the prepared dish. Don’t worry about making it perfect yet.

Once it’s all in, use a spoon or spatula to gently distribute the peach slices evenly across the dish. Try to avoid big clumps or areas with too much syrup.

If you think your canned peaches are super juicy and there’s just too much liquid, it’s okay to drain one can slightly, but always leave at least one can’s full syrup in the dish it helps the dump cake bake properly.

🧁 Step 3: Add Brown Sugar and Spices (Optional, But Worth It!)

Technically, you could move on to the cake mix layer now, but the flavor magic happens in this step.

Sprinkle the following directly over your peaches:

• ¼ cup light brown sugar: Adds warm sweetness and depth.
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon: Classic peach spice.
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg: Brings out the fruity notes.
• ⅛ tsp ground cloves: Just a pinch! A bold spice that works beautifully here.
• 1 tbsp lemon juice: Adds brightness and cuts through the sweetness.
• A light salt sprinkle enhances the overall flavor and balances everything out.

Take a spoon and gently stir the peach mixture. Spreading the spices and sugar throughout should not be too much. Think of it as “encouraging” the ingredients to mingle.

Flavor Tip: These spices are especially helpful when working with canned peaches, which often lack the full flavor of fresh or frozen fruit. The spices add warmth and complexity that canned peaches simply can’t achieve on their own.

🎂 Step 4: Sprinkle the Cake Mix

Now, it’s time to add the dry cake mix. No eggs, oil, or mixing bowl is required.

Open your box of white cake mix (or yellow/spice cake mix if you’re using that) and sprinkle it evenly over the peach layer.

The key here is to create a light, even blanket of cake mix. Don’t dump the whole thing into one spot; take your time and sprinkle it across the surface. You can use a spoon or your hands for more control.

Once the cake mix is done, grab a fork and gently smooth it out, breaking up clumps and nudging it into corners. You don’t need to press down or stir; the goal is just an even layer on top of the peaches.

Important: Do not stir the cake mix into the peach layer. This is a layered dessert, and stirring ruins the structure. Let gravity and the oven do the work.

🧈 Step 5: Add Cold Butter Slices on Top

Here’s where things get buttery and beautiful.

Grab your cold butter from the fridge (this is why we didn’t let it soften). Using a sharp knife, slice it into thin pads or chunks around 1/8-inch thick, and lay them across the surface of the dry cake mix.

Try to space them evenly so each area of the cake mix gets melted butter coverage. It’s okay if there are some gaps; as the butter melts in the oven, it will spread. But you want good coverage to avoid dry spots.

Why cold butter? Slicing cold butter is much easier and cleaner than working with softened or melted butter. Cold butter melts slowly, which helps create that crunchy, golden crumble topping.

Avoid melting the butter in the microwave and pouring it over the cake mix. It might seem easier, but you’ll have uneven moisture, with some parts soggy and others dry.

Optional Pro Tip: Some bakers freeze the butter and grate it using a cheese grater. This creates ultra-fine, even distribution across the top. You can also toss grated butter with the cake mix before sprinkling it on.

🔥 Into the Oven It Goes

It’s time to bake with your fully layered dish and beautifully arranged butter.

Place your uncovered dump cake into the preheated 350°F oven.

Bake for 60 minutes.

You’ll know it’s done when:

• The top is golden brown
• The edges are bubbly with syrup
• Your kitchen smells like warm peaches and spiced butter magic

When it comes out of the oven, let it rest for 10–15 minutes before digging in. This gives the layers time to set and allows the syrup to thicken slightly for the perfect texture.

Warning: It will smell so good, you’ll be tempted to eat it straight out of the dish and honestly, we wouldn’t blame you.

💡 Tips for the Perfect Peach Dump Cake

Even though peach dump cake is famously simple, a few smart tweaks can take your dessert from good to absolutely unforgettable.

Here are some tips to help you bake it right, every time.

1. Don’t Stir — Layer Instead

The number one rule of dump cake is never to stir the layers together. You’re not making a batter or cobbler base here; each layer plays a specific role. Peaches go on the bottom, dry cake mix in the middle, and butter on top. That’s it.

2. Use Cold Butter, Not Melted

This one’s big. Always use cold butter sliced into thin pads — not melted. When butter is sliced and evenly distributed over the cake mix, it melts slowly and gives you a crispy, golden crumble topping. If you pour melted butter, you risk soggy or uneven patches.

Bonus tip: Try grating frozen butter over the cake mix for ultra-even distribution!

3. Drain One Can (Optional for Crunch Lovers)

If you love a crispier topping, consider draining one of the three peach cans slightly. Less liquid = crunchier texture. Just be careful not to drain too much — otherwise the cake may turn out dry.

4. Spice It Right

Canned peaches need a little help in the flavor department. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of cloves make a difference. Don’t skip the 1 tablespoon of lemon juice either; it cuts through the sweetness and brightens the overall flavor.

5. Try a Neutral or Spiced Cake Mix

White or yellow cake mix works best, as they let the peach flavor shine. Want to add a fall twist? Use spice cake mix to enhance the warm notes. It’s a delicious variation, especially around the holidays.

🍓 Peach Dump Cake Variations to Try

Once you’ve made the classic version, the fun doesn’t have to stop there. Dump cakes are endlessly adaptable, and here are a few creative spins to try next time:

1. Cherry-Peach Dump Cake

Replace one can of peaches with a can of cherry pie filling for a sweet and tart flavor combo. It’s gorgeous, festive, and great for Valentine’s Day or the holidays.

2. Tropical Peach Dump Cake

Mix in a can of crushed pineapple (drained slightly) with the peaches for a tropical vibe. Finish with coconut flakes for extra flair.

3. Peach-Berry Dump Cake

Add a handful of frozen raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries to the peach layer. They’ll add a pop of color and a subtle tartness that cuts through the sweetness.

4. Peach & Chocolate Chip Crumble

Before baking, sprinkle white chocolate or mini milk chocolate chips over the cake mix. Chocolate + peach? Surprisingly addictive.

5. Spice Cake Peach Dump Cake

Use spice cake mix instead of white or yellow. It turns the dump cake into a fall-flavored masterpiece. Great with pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top.

🍽️ Final Thoughts

Peach dump cake proves you don’t need a long ingredient list or hours in the kitchen to make something special. With just a few pantry staples and a little help from canned peaches and cake mix, you can whip up a dessert that feels like a big warm hug from Grandma.

What makes this recipe so lovable is how forgiving it is. Whether you’re a first-time baker or a seasoned home cook, messing up a dump cake is hard.

You can dress it up with spices and brown sugar or keep it classic with just three ingredients. Either way, the result is a sweet, buttery, golden-topped dessert just begging to be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The treat works for every occasion, from summer BBQs to cozy winter nights, potlucks to last-minute get-togethers. And once you’ve made it once, chances are it’ll earn a permanent spot in your recipe box.

So grab those cans of peaches and get ready to dump, bake, and devour.

📌 You Might Also Love…

If this peach dump cake hits the spot, here are a few more peach-packed desserts that’ll keep the Southern charm going strong:

👉 Best Southern Peach Cake Recipe You’ll Love

A buttery, fluffy pound-style peach cake bursting with flavor, perfect for holidays or brunch!

👉 Southern Moms’ Best Peach Cobbler Recipe

This cobbler is as close as it gets to Grandma’s kitchen, warm, spiced, and comforting with a classic Southern touch.

👉 Perfect 5-Star Peach Pie Recipe That’s Foolproof

Looking for a showstopper? This homemade peach pie features a flaky crust, juicy filling, and just the right amount of crumble topping.

Ella Foster

Ella Foster, co-founder of FoodBears.com, is a skilled writer whose love for cooking fuels her creative work. Her passion for experimenting in the kitchen brings authentic flavor and culinary inspiration to every piece she crafts for the platform.