Within its warm, gooey, and rich texture, this dutch oven dump cake is a dessert that is bound to leave everyone craving more.
As the name says, this peach dump cake is, quite literally, dumped into a dish, in this case, a dutch oven, and baked!
Love the simplicity and affordability of this recipe! Seriously minimal ingredients, and is inexpensive to make!
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What is a Dump Cake?
Simply put, it is a cake that is made by “dumping” ingredients into a Dutch oven or baking dish and baking it. But now we are repeating ourselves.
Dump cake is a simple dessert made by layering canned fruit, cake mix, and butter in a baking dish.
It requires minimal effort, and the end result can be described as a cobbler-like treat.
Dump cake appears as a golden, bubbling blend with a layer of sweet, tender peaches peeking through a crumbly, caramelized cake topping.
The cake gets its name from the fact that all the ingredients are simply “dumped” into a baking dish, making it a no-fuss dessert option.
This is definitely a perfect choice for those who want a quick and delicious treat.
Reasons You Will Love This Recipe
- Effortless Preparation: This dump cake recipe requires minimal effort and preparation time. All ingredients are simply layered in a dutch oven, and baked. The end result is a delicious cake that tastes as though hours of work went into it.
- Super Easy: With this dump cake recipe, you can literally “dump” all the ingredients into the dutch oven and let the oven work its magic. No need for fancy equipment or extensive baking skills!
- Perfect for Sharing: This dump cake recipe is excellent for any gathering and can be easily transported in a dutch oven.
- Cost-Effective: Since the ingredients used in this cake recipe are inexpensive, it is a budget-friendly dessert that doesn’t compromise on taste.
The Best Dutch Oven Dump Cake Recipe
- Peaches in syrup: This adds sweetness and texture to the dump cake, as well as a lovely color. Look for cans that are labeled “peaches in light syrup” or “peaches in juice.” You can also swap them out for apples or cherries, as I often do!
- White cake mix: Choose any store-bought brand of white cake mix for your dump cake.
- Butter: Use either salted or unsalted butter to sprinkle on top of the dump cake mixture before baking. I prefer salted butter but use whatever you have on hand.
- Whipped cream for topping (optional): We have always added whipped cream to our peach dump cake. I’ve made my own, used store-bought, and even topped it with vanilla ice cream. The choice is yours.
Instructions
Step 1: Melt one stick of butter and set aside.
Step 2: Preheat oven to 350°F
Step 3: Gently coat the inside of a 4.5 qt dutch oven with a bit of the melted butter. (or a 9×5 baking dish)
Step 4: Pour both cans of peach filling into the bottom of the dutch oven.
Step 5: Carefully sprinkle the cake mix evenly over top of the filling.
Step 6: Drizzle the melted butter over top of the cake mix.
Step 7: Dice up and arrange the remaining stick of butter over the top of the cake.
Step 8: Leave uncovered and bake on the center rack for 50 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Tips for Success
- To ensure a stress-free cooking experience, gather the ingredients and equipment beforehand; despite the minimal prep work required, this allows for a smooth transition from oven to table.
- Evenly spread the butter to prevent the cake mix from remaining a powder consistency.
- Leftover dump cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Get my full disclosure here.
Helpful cooking tools
Variations
- Make the dump cake perfect for fall or the holidays by adding cinnamon or nutmeg on top of your dump cake for an extra flavorful treat.
- If you prefer, you can always swap out the canned peaches for other fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Not a fan of white cake mix? Not to worry! Try this recipe with yellow cake or really any cake mix you want! The only requirement is you have to let me know how it turned out 🙂
FAQs
Do you need to refrigerate dump cake? Yes, you should refrigerate dump cake, especially if it contains perishable ingredients like fresh fruit or dairy-based toppings.
How do you know when dump cake is done? A dump cake is typically done when the top is golden brown, slightly crispy, and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Is it better to melt the butter or leave it in chunks? I do both! I like to drizzle the butter as evenly over the top as possible, then dice up another stick and somewhat strategically place it over the spots I missed. It seems to help give it that crumbly and crispy topping texture.
Why is my dump cake still powdery? The most common issue with the cake mix still being powdery, I have found, is not using enough butter or not spreading the butter evenly. Of course, the liquid from the peach filling provides liquid for the mix as well, but if the top layer is still powdery, it’s usually a butter issue.
Is dump cake mushy? A properly baked dump cake should not be mushy. It should have a texture that is a balance between a cake and a fruit cobbler, with a slightly crisp, crumbly top and a soft, tender filling.
If your dump cake turns out mushy, it may be due to using too much liquid, undercooking, or not allowing it to cool and set properly after baking.
Should I stir the dump cake? No, stirring the ingredients will disrupt the layering, and the cake may not turn out as intended. Plus, you can’t really call it a dump cake anymore.
Closing out
Dutch oven dump cake is perfect for those who don’t want to spend hours on end in the kitchen but would like to enjoy a delicious home-cooked dessert. (it is technically cooked in the home.)
And with the fall season right around the corner, I think I may be making this again to enjoy around the bonfire! This is the perfect season for it!
Let me know what you think about the dutch oven dump cake recipe by leaving a review below!
If you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few more dutch oven and cast iron dessert ideas below that may pique your interest!
Dutch Oven Dump Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cans 42 ounces of peach filling
- 1 box 15 ounce of white cake mix
- 16 tablespoons 2 sticks of butter
Instructions
- Melt one stick of butter and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Gently coat the inside of a 4.5 qt dutch oven with a bit of the melted butter.
- Pour in both cans of peach filling into the bottom of the dutch oven.
- Carefully sprinkle the cake mix evenly over top of the filling.
- Drizzle the melted butter over top of the cake mix.
- Dice up and arrange the remaining stick of butter over top of the cake.
- Leave uncovered and bake on the center rack for 50 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
