Easy 3-Ingredient French Vanilla Peach Cobbler Dump Cake: Your Go-To Quick Dessert
Imagine this: you’re planning a dinner party, a holiday feast, or simply craving something sweet, but time is slipping away. That’s where this incredible peach cobbler dump cake comes to the rescue! With just three essential ingredients (plus an optional sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for that extra touch), it’s the ultimate hassle-free dessert. This recipe is so simple, you’ll want to keep it bookmarked for every occasion when you need a quick, delicious, and impressive treat.
French Vanilla Peach Cobbler Dump Cake: A Dessert Revelation
Life gets busy, especially around holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Between cooking a main course, wrapping gifts, and tidying up the house, it’s easy to forget about dessert – or worse, realize you don’t have time for a complicated recipe. Maybe you intended to bake a pie but ran out of time to make the crust. In these moments, a simple, reliable solution is a true blessing.
This is precisely why I celebrate the versatility of boxed cake mixes. I always keep a few different flavors in my pantry, stocking up whenever they’re on sale. They are a game-changer for those last-minute dessert emergencies or when you simply want something sweet without the fuss.
RELATED: If you love easy desserts, you might also enjoy our recipes for Pineapple Dump Cake or Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake!
While I truly adore baking from scratch – regular readers of this blog know my passion for homemade treats, like my favorite peach crisp from scratch – I also deeply appreciate the convenience and reliability of a good box mix. There’s a certain magic in turning a few simple ingredients into a warm, comforting dessert.
Beyond convenience, there’s a lovely nostalgic charm to cake mix desserts. Growing up, my mom often made cakes from a box, and those flavors instantly transport me back to cherished childhood memories. This peach dump cake, with its soft, moist consistency, reminds me a lot of a delightful bread pudding. It earns its “dump cake” name because the preparation is exactly that simple: you literally dump all the ingredients into a pan and bake it!
Just 3, 4, or 5 Ingredients? Let’s Clarify!
When we say “3-ingredient” peach cobbler, we’re focusing on the core components that make up the bulk of this delightful dessert. The ingredient list below includes cinnamon sugar, and some might argue this technically makes it a 4-ingredient recipe, or even 5 if you consider cinnamon and sugar separately. However, the cinnamon sugar is entirely optional and can be added based on your preference. Whether you call it a 3, 4, or 5-ingredient French vanilla peach cobbler, the ease and deliciousness remain the same. Rest assured, your feelings won’t be hurt here!
Simple Ingredients for an Extraordinary Peach Cobbler
- 2 (15-ounce) cans peach chunks in light syrup: Canned peaches are key for convenience and consistency in this dump cake. The light syrup adds a perfect amount of sweetness and moisture.
- 1 box French Vanilla cake mix: The French vanilla flavor adds a rich, aromatic base that complements the peaches beautifully. You can experiment with other flavors like yellow cake mix for a slightly different profile.
- ½ cup unsalted butter: Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dessert. It’s crucial for achieving that delightful, golden-brown, and slightly crispy topping.
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar (1/4 teaspoon cinnamon + ¾ teaspoon sugar) OPTIONAL: A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar enhances the peach flavor and adds a warm spice note. It’s a small addition that makes a big difference!
Equipment You’ll Need:
- 13×9 baking pan: A standard baking dish is perfect for this recipe.
- Ice cream for serving (optional): Vanilla ice cream is the classic pairing, but feel free to choose your favorite!
Step-by-Step: How to Make Your Quick Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
Prepping this dessert is as easy as it gets. Just follow these simple steps:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your cobbler starts baking immediately and cooks evenly.
- For the peaches: drain the syrup from one of the 15-ounce cans of peaches, but make sure to reserve that syrup – you’ll need it later! Empty the drained peaches into your 13×9 baking pan. Then, open the second can of peaches and empty its entire contents, including the syrup, into the same baking pan. Gently spread the peaches out evenly across the bottom of the pan to create a consistent layer. If using, sprinkle your cinnamon sugar evenly over the peaches.
- Next, evenly sprinkle the entire box of French vanilla cake mix over the peaches. Don’t stir! Just spread it out. Gently press down on the cake mix with your hands to make sure it’s somewhat compact and covers all the peaches.
- Cut the ½ cup of unsalted butter into 16 small pieces. Distribute these butter pats evenly across the top of the cake mix. This butter will melt and absorb into the cake mix, creating a rich, golden, and slightly crispy topping.
- Now, remember that reserved peach syrup? Pour it evenly over the cake mix and butter. Take a knife and gently run it through the cake mix and syrup a few times to help spread the moisture without fully mixing the layers. This helps ensure the cake mix absorbs the liquid properly during baking.
- Bake in your preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Once baked, let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This peach cobbler dump cake is absolutely divine served warm, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or a splash of cold milk.
Serving Suggestions & Customization Tips
While this peach cobbler dump cake is incredible on its own, there are many ways to elevate your dessert experience:
- Classic Toppings: Vanilla bean ice cream is the traditional choice, but don’t shy away from butter pecan or cinnamon ice cream for an extra layer of flavor.
- Creamy Indulgence: A generous dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light and airy contrast to the warm, rich cobbler.
- Sauces & Drizzles: Caramel sauce or a light glaze made from powdered sugar and a touch of milk can take this dessert up a notch.
- Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the top before baking for added texture and a nutty flavor.
- Spice It Up: Beyond cinnamon sugar, a pinch of nutmeg or allspice can add depth to the peach flavor.
- Fruit Variations: Although this recipe highlights peaches, the “dump cake” method works wonderfully with other canned fruits like apple pie filling, cherry pie filling, or crushed pineapple. Feel free to experiment!
Storage and Reheating
If you happen to have any leftovers (a rare occurrence with this delicious dessert!), store them covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can warm individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or heat the entire pan in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. This helps keep the topping crisp and the filling gooey.
Explore More Easy Cobblers and Low-Ingredient Desserts
If you’re a fan of comforting cobblers and convenient desserts, you’re in the right place! I’ve handpicked a few more favorites for you below, or you can browse all my dessert recipes here. For even more simplicity, scroll down to discover several other desserts that require less than 5 ingredients. And if you’re keen on super-easy cooking, this post also features 23 three-ingredient slow cooker recipes!
- Apple Cranberry Crisp: I’m a huge advocate for the delightful combination of apple and cranberry, especially in a crisp. My Apple Cranberry Crisp has always been a top favorite, particularly during the fall when fresh apples are abundant. What makes it truly versatile is the use of apple pie filling, meaning you can enjoy this comforting dessert any time of year – whether you use homemade, frozen, or store-bought filling.
- Pear-Peach Crisp: This particular crisp holds a special place as my all-time favorite. While I typically prefer pears over peaches, the harmonious blend of the two in this Pear-Peach Crisp is simply sensational. It’s a remarkably easy dessert to assemble, and I find myself making it at least a few times every year.
- Crock Pot Apple Cobbler: This next cobbler is incredibly popular on the blog, and for good reason! It’s made in the slow cooker, which means your home will be filled with a wonderfully inviting aroma, and you won’t take up any precious oven space – making it an ideal dessert for entertaining guests. This Crock Pot Apple Cobbler also ingeniously uses a cake mix, offering maximum convenience with minimum effort!
More Delicious Desserts with Less Than 5 Ingredients!
- 3-Ingredient Cherry Cupcakes: Prepare to be amazed by these incredibly simple and delicious 3-ingredient cherry cupcakes. They are a testament to how fantastic minimal ingredients can taste. Top them with a swirl of whipped cream and a fresh cherry for an elegant presentation that’s surprisingly easy to achieve!
- 4-Ingredient Blueberry Hand Pies: These delightful 4-ingredient blueberry hand pies offer endless customization. While I used blueberry filling for this recipe, you can easily swap it for peach, raspberry, blackberry, or cherry pie filling – all while keeping the ingredient count to a mere four!
- 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Peanut Butter Crescents: Perfect for the autumn season, these little gems are wonderfully satisfying both warm and at room temperature, making them an excellent quick holiday sweet treat. You might wonder how only two ingredients can create these pumpkin peanut butter crescents; the secret lies in a special pumpkin peanut butter flavored spread that does all the work!
I genuinely hope you’ve discovered something deliciously inspiring to bake today. This French Vanilla Peach Cobbler Dump Cake is a testament to the fact that you don’t need a lengthy ingredient list or complicated steps to create a truly memorable dessert. Enjoy!
Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
IMPORTANT – Please refer to the full blog post for helpful frequently asked questions and detailed tips!
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Ingredients
- 30 ounce peach chunks in light syrup 2 15-oz cans
- 15 oz box French Vanilla cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon + 3/4 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Before You Begin
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Drain one can of peaches, reserving the syrup. Empty the drained peaches into a 13×9 baking pan. Empty the entire contents of the other can of peaches (with syrup) into the same pan. Spread peaches evenly. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar (if using) across the top.
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Sprinkle the cake mix on top of the peaches and gently press down with your hands to create an even layer.
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Cut butter into 16 pieces and distribute evenly across the top of the cake mix. Pour the reserved peach syrup over the cake mix. Briefly run a knife through the mix and syrup to help spread the liquid, but do not fully mix.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Serve warm with ice cream, fresh cream, or milk.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared here on Aug 28, 2013, and has been updated for clarity and expanded content.