EretenSouthern and Tex-Mex recipes

Straightforward Peach Cobbler and Cake Mix

Straightforward Peach Cobbler and Cake Mix

Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix is a satisfying and straightforward baking hack you didn’t know you needed. It can be made with frozen, fresh, or canned peaches for an straightforward and budget-friendly dessert for busy weeknights or last-minute guests all year round.

Ice cream melting over peach cobbler with a bowl of partially eaten cobbler and melted ice cream in a bowl.

Straightforward peach cobbler with cake mix

We've tested a lot of cake mix cobblers over the years, and most of them left us feeling like something was missing. Either the topping was too dry and crumbly or the filling tasted like too sweet canned fruit. This one is different. It’s the version we make on repeat any time of year. Since it uses frozen peaches, you still get that cozy, Southern cobbler vibe, but with shortcuts that actually work.

This recipe uses yellow cake mix, but not dumped on top like some versions we've seen. We've figured out a few small tricks that make a big difference in texture and flavor. The topping bakes up golden and crisp around the edges but still buttery and soft where it meets the peaches.

If you grew up eating cobbler at potlocks or Sunday suppers like we did, this one will hit all the nostalgic notes. But a house favorite part? It is ready in a few minutes with minimal prep. No peeling, no fuss. Dump, mix, and bake.

Why Peach Cobbler Recipe With Cake Mix stays in the rotation

You could call this “lazy peach cobbler” because it is one of the easiest desserts to make. It’s a plain peach cobbler recipe that the whole family will love. You can keep it as one of those back pocket straightforward recipes that’s tastes like it took a while, but was straightforward to throw together.

  • This cobbler is straightforward! Frozen peaches and cake mix are the ultimate peach cobbler hack.
  • It’s made with plain ingredients that are pantry staples you can find at any grocery store.
  • It’s budget-friendly so it’s straightforward on the wallet, too.
  • Because it can be made with fresh, frozen, or canned peaches, you can serve this dessert year-round.
  • It makes the well-balanced dessert paired with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on a weeknight meal or with last-minute guests.

A house favorite part about this satisfying cobbler recipe is that it tastes like the from-scratch ones you know and love. No one has to know it uses cake mix or store-bought peaches! If you’re a fan of the peach version, you should also try Blackberry dump cake Too!

Ingredients Needed for Cake Mix Peach Cobbler

Here’s what you’ll need to snag at the grocery store to make this recipe:

  • Frozen peaches – You can also used canned or fresh (see the notes below for tips).
  • Brown sugar – Light brown and dark brown sugar will both work.
  • Cornstarch – This is different from cornmeal. It helps to make your peach filling less runny.
  • Ground cinnamon – Check your spices occasionally to make sure they’re not expired!
  • White cake mix – Yellow cake mix can be used as well.
  • Salted butter – If you use unsalted butter, you will want to add a pinch of salt into the cake mix.
Ingredients needed to make peach cobbler with a cake mix.

Tools to Use to Make Peach Cobbler Using Cake Mix

Glass mixing bowls

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9×13 baking dish

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Measuring cups

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Frozen vs. Canned Peaches

This shortcut-style cobbler is written specifically for frozen or canned peaches, which makes it straightforward to whip up without a lot of prep. That’s why it uses cake mix rather than a from-scratch batter to keep things plain and quick.

  • Frozen peaches Hold up well during baking and give that just-picked texture.
  • Canned peaches Are soft, sweet, and well-balanced when you need something quick from the pantry.

You can definitely use fresh peaches. We've tested it, and it works great. But if you’re going that route and want a truly from-scratch version, we also have a Fresh peach cobbler recipe Made for that. This one’s all about keeping things straightforward.

How to cook Peach Cobbler with Frozen Peaches and Cake Mix

  1. Thaw your peaches first. (Here is a Helpful tutorial If you need ideas on thawing frozen fruit).
  2. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish lightly with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.
  3. Grab a mixing bowl and combine the thawed peaches, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Stir gently until it’s evenly mixed.
Peaches in a glass bowl.
Glass bowl of peaches with brown sugar and seasoning added to the top.
  1. Pour the peach mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to spread it out evenly.
  2. Cut open a corner of the cake mix bag and sprinkle the dry mix evenly over the peaches.
Frozen peaches laying in a baking dish.
Frozen peaches topped with cake mix in a baking dish.
  1. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of brown sugar evenly on top of the cake mix.
  2. Place 24 small pieces of butter evenly across the cake mix layer. This step is important. The butter melts into the cake mix, creating the well-balanced golden topping.
Cake mix and frozen peaches in a baking dish.
Unbaked peach cobbler in a baking dish with pats of butter arranged over the top.
  1. Bake for 45 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling.
  2. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 15-20 minutes before serving. It will be a bit too runny if you don’t wait for it to cool.
  3. Serve it warm, topped with a generous scoop of ice cream. Enjoy!

How to cook Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix and Canned Peaches

You can make cake mix peach cobbler with canned peaches rather than frozen ones! The method is great to use when you have a can of peaches in the pantry you need to use up.

Make sure to take your canned peaches and drain them completely, then you can proceed with the recipe as normal. You’ll want to drain out all of the extra peach juice or heavy syrup from the cans of peaches so it doesn’t make the cobbler soggy.

If you like, you can also leave in some of the juice from the can, but if you do that you should omit the cornstarch.

Top Tip

If you find a little dry spot in the top of your cobbler before it’s done, take the end of a butter knife or spatula and gently spread some of the we batter over to the dry spot and allow it to finish baking.

Variations and Substitutions

  • We love using white or yellow cake mix, but you can also use spice cake mix or butter pecan cake mix. Have fun with this or keep it traditional.
  • If you want a crumble-style topping, you can add oats to the cake mix. Add about 3/4 cup.
  • And if you like things crunchy, you can add some nuts like chopped pecans or walnuts. We'd start with about 1/4 cup and go from there.
  • And don’t forget to pick up some whipped topping or heavy cream to make from-scratch Whipped cream! Vanilla ice cream is a great choice too.
  • You can even try this recipe with fresh berries or sliced apples! You’ll simply need about 2 lbs. Of fruit. Cherry pie filling is also a great alternative.

How to Serve Peach Cobbler

Peach Cobbler is so good on its own, but it’s also satisfying with a scoop of ice cream. From-scratch is great if you feel up to making it!

Try one of these flavors:

  • Vanilla ice cream: A classic!
  • Peach ice cream: If you want things Extra Peachy!
  • Raspberry sorbet: A house favorite combo and a great dairy-free option.
  • Cinnamon ice cream: A little spice is nice.
  • S’mores ice cream: For when you are craving some summertime!

A dollop (or three) of whipped cream or whipped topping is also wonderful on top of a from-scratch peach cobbler.

How to Reheat Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix

You can warm individual servings of peach cobbler in microwave-safe bowls in the microwave in 20-second increments until warmed through.

If you want to warm the whole baking dish, warm it at 200°F for 15-20 minutes.

How to keep Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix

Let the cobbler cool completely before storing so it doesn’t get soggy.

Refrigerating

You can cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or scoop individual servings into an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge, and it’ll stay fresh for up to a week.

Freezing

If you want to freeze it, cut the cooled cobbler into individual portions and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Flash freeze them for about 1-2 hours, then move them to a freezer safe zip top bag.

For a house favorite flavor and texture, try to enjoy them within 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and warm it up in the microwave.

Close up of a spoon scooping up peach cobbler with ice cream.

FAQs about Making Cake Mix Peach Cobbler

Prep 10 minutesCook 45 minutesMakes 8

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds frozen peaches thawed (see recipe notes for using canned or fresh)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar divided
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 15.25 ounce white cake mix box; yellow can be used as well
  • 3/4 cup salted butter 12 tablespoons; cut into 24 pats

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray and set it aside.
  3. Add the peaches, 1/4 cup of the brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon to a mixing bowl and stir until fully combined.
  4. Add the peach mixture to the baking dish.
  5. Sprinkle the peaches evenly with the cake mix.
  6. Sprinkle the top of the cake mix with the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar.
  7. Evenly place the pieces of butter on top of the cake mix. Leaving space between them.
  8. Bake for 45 minutes, until it’s golden and bubbly.
  9. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • If you find a little dry spot in the top of your cobbler before it’s done, take the end of a butter knife and gently mix the wet area over to the dry spot and allow it to finish baking.

Other plates from the kitchen

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