Peach Dump Cake

Peach dump cake brings all the cozy sweet vibes and is made with canned peaches, yellow cake mix, cinnamon, and melted butter — straight from the pantry.

When you’re in the mood for something juicy, buttery, and baked with a little golden crunch, this peach dump cake hits just right.

Dump cakes are my go-to when I don’t feel like dragging out a bunch of bowls or mixers.

Everything goes straight into the baking dish, gets topped with cake mix and butter, and goes right into the oven.

Easy cleanup, less mess. Plus, it’s a smart way to use those extra cake mixes hiding in the back of the pantry.

Peach Dump Cake Recipe

Ingredients

2 cans (15 oz each) sliced peaches in 100% juice (NOT heavy syrup), undrained
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 box (15.25 oz) classic yellow cake mix
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

1/3 cup granulated sugar
Vanilla ice cream (for serving)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch glass baking dish with a little melted butter or a spritz of non-stick spray. Make sure the whole bottom and sides are coated evenly.
Pour both cans of sliced peaches along with all their juice into the prepared baking dish. Spread the peaches out so they cover the bottom evenly.
Drizzle the vanilla extract directly over the peaches. Sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg evenly on top. Give everything a very gentle stir right in the dish just to distribute the spices.

Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the peach layer. Do NOT stir. The magic of a dump cake is letting the layers stay distinct.
Slowly pour the melted butter all over the top of the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the surface as you can; little dry spots are fine, but the more coverage the better the crust.
Lightly sprinkle the granulated sugar over the top. This creates that beautiful golden crisp on the crust as it bakes.

Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is deeply golden and you can see the peaches bubbling around the edges.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving — this helps the filling set slightly without losing its juicy texture.
Scoop into bowls or plates and serve warm, topped generously with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.

What Is Peach Dump Cake?

Peach dump cake is a simple baked dessert made by layering canned peaches, dry cake mix, melted butter, and a few spices into a dish and baking it until golden and bubbly.

The name “dump cake” comes from how you make it — you literally dump the ingredients into the pan without mixing them too much.

As it bakes, the fruit becomes juicy and warm, while the cake mix forms a sweet, crumbly topping that tastes a little like cobbler but with less work.

You don’t need to be a professional baker to make a great peach dump cake. It’s the kind of dessert that’s meant to be a little rustic and imperfect.

The magic happens in the oven when the butter melts into the cake mix and the peaches bubble up around the edges.

Here’s why peach dump cake is loved by many:

Simple process: No mixers or fancy steps needed — just layer and bake.

Sweet and juicy: The peaches stay soft and juicy underneath the crunchy cake topping.
Perfect for any occasion: Great for casual family dinners, potlucks, or anytime you want a homemade dessert without extra effort.

Tips For Success With Peach Dump Cake

Making peach dump cake is pretty simple, but a few tips can make it even better:

Use peaches in juice, not syrup: Peaches packed in 100% juice keep the cake from being too sweet or too heavy.
Spread the cake mix evenly: Make sure the dry cake mix covers all the peaches so the top bakes up golden and crisp.
Pour butter slowly over the top: Drizzle melted butter carefully to soak into the cake mix without stirring it. This helps get that crunchy golden crust.

Let it rest before serving: Giving the cake about 10 minutes to cool after baking helps the filling set and makes scooping easier.
Don’t overbake it: Take it out when the top is golden brown and the peaches are bubbling. Overbaking can make the top too hard.

Peach Dump Cake Variations

You can change up peach dump cake a little to match what you like while keeping it delicious. Here are a few ideas:

Use different fruits: Swap peaches for sliced apples, fresh strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for a fun twist.
Try different cake mixes: You can use white cake mix, butter pecan cake mix, or even spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix.
Add chopped nuts: Sprinkle a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts over the top before baking for extra crunch.

Mix in warm spices: Add a little extra cinnamon, ground ginger, or a tiny pinch of cloves to the peaches for a cozier flavor.
Top with coconut flakes: Sprinkle unsweetened coconut over the cake mix before baking for a tropical flavor boost.

What To Serve With Peach Dump Cake?

Here are some great dishes you can serve alongside peach dump cake for a full meal or gathering:

Grilled chicken
Baked lamb chops
Roasted vegetable platter
Fresh garden salad
Garlic butter rice
Classic mashed potatoes
Iced tea or lemonade

How To Store Peach Dump Cake?

If you have leftovers (or you made it ahead), storing peach dump cake the right way keeps it tasting fresh:

Refrigerate: Cover the cooled cake tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm individual servings in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds until heated through. You can also reheat it in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes.

Freeze: You can freeze peach dump cake by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. It will keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Biggest Mistake To Avoid When Making Peach Dump Cake

Making a dump cake is easy, but a few common mistakes can affect how it turns out. Paying attention to these small things can make your peach dump cake bake up just right.

Here are the biggest mistakes you should watch out for:

Not spreading the cake mix evenly: If the dry cake mix isn’t spread out properly, some spots stay dry and powdery after baking. Make sure you cover the fruit completely with the dry mix.
Using cold butter: Cold butter won’t melt fast enough to soak into the cake mix. Always melt the butter first and drizzle it evenly over the top so it cooks into the cake.
Overmixing the layers: Dump cakes work because you layer the ingredients without stirring them together. Mixing can mess up the texture and make it too heavy.

Choosing fruit with heavy syrup: Using peaches in heavy syrup can make the dump cake overly sweet and soggy. Always go for peaches packed in juice for a better balance.
Baking too long or too short: If you bake it too little, the top will stay doughy. If you bake too long, the top gets too hard. Look for a golden-brown color and bubbling edges to know it’s done.