Cast-Iron Peach Dump Cake (on the Grill)

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Make this easy Cast Iron Peach Dump Cake right on the grill! With smoky flavor, sweet peaches, and a golden cake topping, it’s the perfect summer dessert for BBQs, cookouts, and backyard gatherings.

One of our Most Beloved Recipes. . .from Our Grill to Yours

At Backyard Texas Grill, we’ve tested this Cast-Iron Peach Dump Cake on the smoker and are thrilled with the results! With years of backyard grilling and recipe development experience, we’ve found the perfect balance of smoky flavor and sweet Southern peaches.

This recipe has become a reader favorite because it’s easy, crowd-pleasing, and practically foolproof. Every detail below comes straight from our test pit — so you can trust it’ll come out delicious every single time.

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!

Looking for the Perfect Cast Iron Dump Cake Recipe?

(aka cast iron peach cobbler)

You’ve found it, I promise!

At a Glance
• Main Ingredients: canned peaches, yellow cake mix, lots of butter
• Method: cook in cast-iron skillet on pellet grill (or indirect grill setup)
• Flavor Profile: juicy, sweet peach filling, golden buttery crust, subtle smokiness
• Time: ~10 min prep + 45-60 min cook + 10 min rest
• Best Served: warm, ideally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream

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!

Why it Works

Cast iron is your best friend on the grill. It holds heat steady, gives you even cooking, and can take a sear like nothing else. With a dump cake, that means the bottom gets that crisp, buttery crust while the top stays golden. The grill adds a layer of smoke you’ll never get in an oven. It’s simple, but it feels like you’re cheating—because no dessert this easy should taste this good.

The Perfect Holiday Bake!

There’s something special about grilling dessert during the holidays — especially when peaches meet a hint of smoky sweetness. This Cast-Iron Peach Dump Cake is one of our favorite ways to wrap up a festive meal outdoors. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got a Southern-style holiday dessert that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

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!

Pro Tips for the Perfect Cast-Iron Peach Dump Cake

1. Run it indirect. Keep the cake over the cooler side of the grill and your coals or burners on the other side. It bakes evenly without scorching the bottom.
2. Preheat the skillet. A warm pan plus butter means no sticking and a head start on that crust.
3. Don’t skimp on the butter. This isn’t the time to go light—it’s what makes the topping crisp up.
4. Check early. Every grill runs different; start peeking around 45 minutes so you don’t overshoot.
5. Let it rest. Give it 10 minutes off the heat so the fruit sets up before you scoop. Top it with vanilla ice cream and watch it disappear.

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.

Other Desserts from Backyard Texas Grill

If you loved this Peach Dump Cake recipe, you’re sure to enjoy our other sweet offerings.

Easy Skillet Cookie on the Grill: This Texas-sized skillet cookie is chewy, delicious and full of sweet & savory flavors that will make your mouth water! The combination of oats, chocolate chips, pecans and brown butter is unmatchable, and it’s so easy to make! Get the full recipe in this post.

Sauteed Cinnamon Apples: Want to know the perfect complement to pork? Apples. And that’s why we’ve put together this simple sautéed cinnamon apples recipe. Keep reading to learn how to make them the easy way.

Smoked Candied Bacon: Is it a dessert or an appetizer? In this post, we’ll show you how the make the best smoked candied bacon, with a delicious caramelized glaze that provides the perfect balance of sweet & savory with just the right amount of heat. You won’t be able to eat just one piece of bacon!

Check out this Easy Peach Cobbler from Backyard Texas Grill! (Yum!)

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?

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.