If you’re in the mood for a delicious peach cobbler, but don’t have the time it takes to make one from scratch, then this cast-iron peach dump cake recipe is just for you!
What is a Dump Cake?
A dump cake is an American dessert that is very similar to a cobbler, but it’s made with cake mix, butter and fruit (typically canned). It gets its name from the method you use to make it – you literally dump the ingredients into a pan (in layers) and bake it. That’s it! There is absolutely no mixing involved!
As it bakes, the butter melts oh-so-perfectly onto the cake mix creating a thick, golden & buttery crust on top of the fruit. It’s gooey and delicious and always a crowd pleaser. It’s one of my family’s favorite desserts and it happens to be one of the easiest desserts to make!
The Cast-Iron Dump Cake Method is Just Peachy
I love a gooey peach dump cake! It’s seriously one of my favorite desserts. But I started thinking about what it might be like if I changed up my cooking method.
Although dump cakes are usually baked in an oven, I decided to take this one up a notch by baking it in a cast-iron skillet on my pellet grill, which uses indirect heat to form a convection oven. And holy smokes – did it turn out peachy!
As it heated, the butter began bubbling into the cake mix, forming a thick and deliciously crisp topping that was golden-browned to perfection.
To top it off, the pellets gave it a smoky flavor that accented the peachiness in a way that I can hardly put into words (if using a gas or charcoal grill, I recommend using a smokin’ wedgie bbq pellet smoker box as an easy way to achieve the smoke flavor).
All I know is it was the best dump cake I’ve ever tasted! And I’ve made many dump cakes over the years!
Ingredients for Cast-Iron Peach Dump Cake
You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick look at what you’ll need. These are simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store or may even have on hand.
- Yellow cake mix
- Canned sliced peaches (in heavy syrup)
- Salted butter
How to Make Cast-Iron Dump Cake on the Grill
Preheat grill to 375 degrees.
Open can of peaches and pour into the bottom of a round 10-inch cast iron skillet (do not drain).
Open dry cake mix and pour over the peaches (spread evenly).
Pat the cake mix down lightly.
Slice a whole stick of butter into ¼ inch slices and lay pieces directly on top of the cake mix (spread them evenly).
Transfer the cast-iron skillet to the grill (be careful – it’s heavy).
Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour – until the sauce is thickened and the crust is golden brown.
Check consistency at 45 minutes. If the crust doesn’t look quite finished yet, continue to cook for up to 15 more minutes. The perfect, golden crust will be your sign that it’s ready!
Once finished, carefully remove skillet from grill (use oven mitts as skillet will be extremely hot).
Let the dump cake sit for 10 minutes, then scoop and serve (best served warm or hot).
What to Expect from this Recipe
I loved everything about this simple dessert, from the crispy edges to the moist, delicious peaches inside.
This has the consistency and flavor of a traditional peach cobbler, but without all of the work. The butter and cake mix merge to make the most delicious, sweet, golden brown crust.
I loved the fact that the peaches were still warm when we ate it. Adding a scoop of ice cream on top was a nice touch. This really is the perfect dessert!
Make it Your Own
This is a great dessert just like it is but there are always ways to change things up. Here are some ideas for next time.
White cake mix: If you don’t have a yellow cake mix, white cake mix will do just fine.
Spice cake mix: I think it would be delicious in the fall to make this peach dump cake with a spice cake mix.
Butter pecan cake: I think the brown butter flavors would be amazing with peaches! Especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Apples dump cake: Looking for a fall treat? Apple pie filling in place on peaches would be a great option. You can even sprinkle cinnamon on top for a little added spice!
Cherry dump cake: Try using cherry pie filling in place of peaches for a sweet change-up! If you can’t find a large can, use two small cans of the pie filling instead.
Questions People are Asking
I don’t have a cast-iron skillet. Can I use a traditional pan or casserole dish?
- Yes, as long as it’s safe to go on the grill you can use a 9×13-inch baking pan, or any other type of casserole dish.
Can I cook dump-cake in the oven?
- Absolutely! Set your oven to 375 degrees and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour, just like on the grill.
Can I cook dump-cake in a slow cooker?
Yes! Although I haven’t tried this method yet myself, here is an easy recipe for slow cooker peach dump cake.
Can I use other fruit for the filling?
- Of course! Any canned fruit will work as long as it’s in a syrup base. You can also use fresh peaches (or other fresh fruit), but I recommend cutting it into small pieces, sprinkling it with regular or brown sugar and cooking it down a bit first.
How can I store my left-over dump cake?
- We recommend storing in an airtight container and eating within 3-4 days. You can also store in aluminum foil – just make sure to remove it before reheating.
Thanks for Stopping By!
That’s it for this post, friends! We hope you enjoy this delicious dessert! This is a brand-new recipe for us, and we happen to love it! We plan to bring you more easy dessert recipes like this one in the near future! If you like this one, you’ll also love our Sauteed Cinnamon Apples. They’re delicious and pair perfectly with pork chops!
Why not pin a few pictures while you’re here?
See this recipe at:
About the Man Behind the Grill
Zach Morrow was born and raised in Texas and has always had a passion for great barbecue. He’s at home behind the grill and loves to feed his friends and family home-cooked favorites as often as he can. He especially loves trying new things and is excited to produce recipes like this one for Backyard Texas Grill.
Cast-Iron Peach Dump Cake
This cast-iron peach dump cake recipe is simple and delicious. All you need is canned peaches, cake mix and butter, with absolutely no mixing required. Cooking it on the grill creates a thick and golden crust and gives it a hint of smoky flavor that is the perfect compliment to the peachy, buttery goodness!
Ingredients
- One 29 oz. can of peaches (in heavy syrup)
- One box of yellow cake mix (any brand)
- One stick of butter
Instructions
- Preheat grill to 375 degrees.
- Open can of peaches and pour into the cast-iron skillet (do not drain).
- Open cake mix and pour over the peaches (spread evenly).
- Pat the cake mix down lightly.
- Slice a whole stick of butter into ¼ inch slices and lay pieces directly onto cake mix (spread them evenly).
- Transfer the cast-iron skillet to the grill (be careful - it's heavy).
- Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour - until the sauce is thickened and the crust is golden brown.
- Check consistency at 45 minutes. If the crust doesn't look quite finished yet, continue to cook for up to 15 more minutes. The perfect, golden crust will be your sign that it's ready!
- Once finished, carefully remove skillet from grill (use oven mitts as skillet will be extremely hot).
- Let the dump cake sit for 10 minutes, then scoop and serve (best served warm or hot).
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 386Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 568mgCarbohydrates: 63gFiber: 2gSugar: 37gProtein: 3g