Dump Cake with Peaches and Nuts: Simple, Cozy, and Irresistible

I still remember the first time I made dump cake with peaches and nuts. It was one of those late summer days when peaches were everywhere—ripe, juicy, and calling to be baked into something sweet. I didn’t want to fuss with pie dough or a fancy crumble, so I turned to the dump cake method. I layered the peaches, added a cake mix, drizzled melted butter, and sprinkled chopped nuts on top. What came out of the oven? Golden, bubbling, nutty magic.

There’s something comforting about this dessert—it’s old-fashioned in the best way, with simple ingredients that come together to create a warm, gooey fruit layer topped with buttery, crisp cake and toasted nuts. It’s a dish that reminds me of potlucks, back porch dinners, and family gatherings. And best of all? Anyone can make it—no mixer, no complicated steps, just dump, bake, and enjoy.

In this article, I’ll guide you step-by-step through making dump cake with peaches and nuts, share my best tips for getting a golden topping and soft, flavorful fruit, and answer common questions like whether canned peaches work or how to get that signature buttery crust just right.

Why Dump Cake with Peaches and Nuts Works So Well

Juicy Peaches Meet Crunchy Nuts

Peaches bring natural sweetness and juicy texture, while nuts add a layer of crunch that keeps each bite interesting. As the cake bakes, the fruit releases its juices, soaking into the cake mix and creating a soft, almost cobbler-like layer underneath. Meanwhile, the nuts toast on top, adding flavor and a satisfying crunch that balances the gooey fruit.

The Easiest Dessert You’ll Ever Make

The charm of dump cake with peaches and nuts comes from its simple and effortless preparation. There’s no mixing or stirring involved. You just layer the ingredients in a baking dish and let the oven do the rest. Whether you’re using fresh, canned, or frozen peaches, this dessert is forgiving, flexible, and always delicious. It’s a great way to use up pantry staples and makes a perfect last-minute dessert for guests or weeknight cravings.

How to Make Dump Cake with Peaches and Nuts

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of dump cake with peaches and nuts is that it requires just a few simple ingredients that deliver big flavor. Here’s what you need and why:

• Peaches (4 cups): Fresh peaches offer the best flavor when in season, but canned peaches in juice or thawed frozen peaches work beautifully. Fresh peaches should be peeled and sliced, while canned peaches should be lightly drained, leaving just enough juice to keep the cake moist.
• Granulated sugar (½ cup): This is optional but recommended if your peaches are slightly tart or under-ripe. It helps balance the natural acidity of the fruit.
• Yellow cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): This dry mix forms the buttery, golden crust that makes dump cake with peaches and nuts so delicious. White or vanilla cake mix can also be used if you prefer a lighter flavor.
• Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted): Butter is the key to achieving a crisp topping. Pour it evenly to guarantee every bite of your dump cake with peaches and nuts has the ideal texture.
• Chopped nuts (½ cup): Pecans and walnuts are the most popular choices. They add a crunchy, nutty finish that enhances the sweetness of the peaches.
• Cinnamon (½ tsp, optional): A warm spice that pairs perfectly with the fruit and complements the toasted nuts.

These simple pantry staples transform dump cake with peaches and nuts into a cozy dessert that tastes homemade without extra effort.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to create the perfect dump cake with peaches and nuts:

1. Preheat the oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter or spray a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the peach layer: Spread the peaches evenly across the bottom of the dish. If using canned peaches, pour in just a little juice (about ¼ cup) to keep the fruit moist without making the dessert soupy. Sprinkle sugar over the fruit if needed.
3. Add the cake mix: Spread the dry cake mix evenly over the layer of peaches. Do not stir—the layers are what make dump cake with peaches and nuts work so well.
4. Drizzle the melted butter: Pour the butter slowly over the cake mix, making sure to coat as much of the surface as possible. This step creates the signature golden crust.
5. Add the nuts: Distribute the chopped nuts evenly across the top. They will toast beautifully as the dump cake with peaches and nuts bakes, adding flavor and crunch.
6. Bake to perfection: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the peach filling bubbles at the edges.
7. Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes, then serve warm. It’s delicious as-is, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream takes it to the next level.

Pro Tip: For extra flavor, toss fresh peaches in a tablespoon of lemon juice before layering them. This brightens the fruit and enhances the overall taste of your dump cake with peaches and nuts.

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How to Store, Serve, and Perfect Your Dump Cake with Peaches and Nuts

Best Storage Tips for Freshness

Once your dump cake with peaches and nuts has cooled, proper storage will keep it tasting fresh for days. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate it. Stored this way, the dessert will stay good for up to 4 days.

Want to keep it longer? Freeze individual portions of your dump cake with peaches and nuts by wrapping each piece in plastic wrap and placing them in a sealed freezer bag or container. They’ll last up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10–12 minutes. This will restore the cake’s crispy topping far better than microwaving, which tends to soften the texture.

Serving Ideas to Elevate Your Dessert

While dump cake with peaches and nuts is delicious on its own, you can make it feel even more special with a few simple pairings:

• With ice cream: Enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream—the perfect match for the sweet fruit and buttery topping.
• With whipped cream: Add a spoonful of homemade whipped cream for a light, airy contrast to the rich cake layer.
• With fresh herbs or zest: Garnish with a little grated lemon zest or fresh mint for a refreshing, bright touch.

No matter how you serve it, dump cake with peaches and nuts offers a satisfying contrast of gooey peach filling, tender cake, and crunchy nuts that feels both rustic and refined.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even though dump cake with peaches and nuts is an easy recipe, there are a few mistakes to avoid to get the best results:

• Stirring the layers: Never mix the cake mix into the fruit—this disrupts the layered texture and prevents the top from crisping.
• Uneven butter coverage: Drizzle butter slowly and evenly across the dry mix. Dry patches will remain floury and unbaked if you miss a spot.
• Too much juice: If you’re using canned peaches, be sure to drain most of the liquid to avoid a soggy texture. A little moisture is good, but too much can make the cake soggy underneath.

By avoiding these pitfalls, your dump cake with peaches and nuts will come out golden, bubbling, and full of irresistible flavor every time.

Where to Buy Ingredients for Dump Cake with Peaches and Nuts

Fresh and Canned Peaches

For the best results in your dump cake with peaches and nuts, look for ripe peaches in your local supermarket’s produce section during summer. Farmers’ markets are also a great source for fresh, flavorful peaches. When fresh peaches aren’t available, canned peaches in juice or frozen peaches work perfectly.. Canned peaches can be found in the canned fruit aisle, while frozen peaches are stocked in the freezer section year-round.

Pantry Staples and Nuts

Yellow cake mix and sugar are common pantry staples found in the baking aisle. For nuts, sliced or chopped pecans and walnuts can be found in the baking or snack aisle. Opt for unsalted nuts for better control of flavor in your dump cake with peaches and nuts.

Online Grocery Options

If you prefer convenience, online retailers like Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Walmart Grocery Delivery offer everything needed for dump cake with peaches and nuts, including fresh fruit and pantry staples. Specialty grocers such as Whole Foods also carry organic peaches, premium cake mixes, and high-quality nuts for a more elevated version of this dessert.

Conclusion

Dump cake with peaches and nuts is proof that you don’t need complicated steps or fancy techniques to create a dessert that’s warm, fruity, and satisfying. With juicy peaches, a buttery cake crust, and the irresistible crunch of toasted nuts, this dessert strikes the perfect balance of flavor and texture.

Whether served fresh out of the oven with a scoop of ice cream or reheated the next day, this simple recipe is guaranteed to be a family favorite. Quick to prepare, versatile, and always delicious, it’s a dessert you’ll turn to again and again.

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