This peach cobbler with cake mix is about to become your new favorite dessert, especially after you find out how easy it is to make! Simple ingredients produce a sweet, juicy, and summery dessert that's great for any occasion.
Table of Contents
- 🍑 What is a peach cobbler with cake mix?
- 📜 History
- 🤔 Cobbler vs dump cake
- 🍰 What is the best cake mix to use?
- 💦 How to easily peel peaches
- 🌱 Is peach cobbler vegan?
- 🛒 Ingredients & substitutions
- 📝 Instructions
- 🍦 What to serve with cobbler
- 🌡️ Storage & reheating
- ♻️ Variations
- 🧑🍳 Top tips
- 💬 FAQ
- 🍴 More recipes like this one
- 📋 Recipe
🍑 What is a peach cobbler with cake mix?
Peach cobbler is a quintessentially American dessert. There are many versions, but all have one thing in common — a virtually effortless preparation! To make life even easier, we made this peach cobbler with cake mix (anything for less prep work, right?).
At its core, peach cobbler is a deep-dish fruit dessert made up of a pie-like filling and a biscuit topping. It's jammy, juicy, fruity, and fluffy! Perfect for late summer get-togethers.
There is quite a bit of gray area when it comes to peach cobbler. While some people consider peach cobbler with cake mix to be a dump cake, others call it cobbler.
Regardless, we know you'll enjoy this fuss-free, easy-to-make, and mouthwateringly good recipe whatever you like to call it!
📜 History
It is believed that the first cobbler recipes were derived from English suet puddings. When settlers traveled west, they had to adapt to available ingredients in the Americas. Dried fruits or foraged berries were baked over campfires with a biscuit-like dough on top.
The resulting cobblers had a cobbled stone path appearance, which is one theory as to how peach cobbler got its name.
Nowadays, there are countless variations — Betty, grunt, pandowdy, slump, grump, buckle, dump cake, or sonker. If you think it, it's probably already been coined as a new version and name for cobbler!
🤔 Cobbler vs dump cake
There are a lot of overlapping characteristics between cobblers and dump cakes. In fact, many people use the terms interchangeably. But, we thought we'd set the record straight! Well, sort of.
Cobbler
- Often contains less sugar.
- Usually has a biscuit or crunchier topping.
- Mouthfeel is more crumbly.
Dump cake
- Often contains more sugar.
- Usually uses cake mix as a crust or topping.
- Mouthfeel is cakier.
So, technically this recipe is more like a dump cake. But, no need to get caught up on names when both are deadly delicious!
🍰 What is the best cake mix to use?
Any type of cake mix will work in this recipe! Whether you prefer white or yellow, it doesn't matter. Most recipes call for yellow cake mix since it adds a pop of color, but the flavor profile is essentially the same.
We actually prefer making our own vegan cake mix, but some of our favorite store-bought brands include:
- Miss Jones Baking Company Cake Mix
- Foodstirs Cake Mix
- Simple Mills Cake Mix
- Cherrybrook Kitchen Cake Mix
- Namaste Cake Mix
💦 How to easily peel peaches
For the quickest and easiest method of peeling the skin off peaches, follow these steps:
- Blanch or soak peaches in hot water for 30 seconds.
- Transfer the peaches to cold water to cool off.
- Once cool, the peach skin will easily peel away (you shouldn't even need a knife).
- If not, make a shallow cut on the skin and try again.
🌱 Is peach cobbler vegan?
While a typical peach cobbler with cake mix contains non-vegan ingredients, we've adapted this recipe to be 100% plant-based. Here are a few quick tips to ensure it meets the requirements:
- Cake mix — A lot of cake mixes contain milk products. But, you can easily find "accidentally" vegan cake mix at most groceries stores, or make your own!
- Butter — Vegan butter works equally as well as dairy-based butter in this recipe. Our favorite brand is Miyokos when it comes to dairy-free butter.
🛒 Ingredients & substitutions
Butter — Use your favorite brand of dairy-free butter. We haven't tested this recipe with coconut oil so can't speak to the results.
Cake mix — Choose either homemade or store-bought vegan cake mix.
Plant milk — We prefer the flavor and consistency of soy milk, but you can opt for any plant milk you prefer or have on hand. Cashew, almond, or oat milk are all great options as well.
Peaches — We use fresh, ripe peaches in this cobbler. However, you can replace them with frozen or canned. If you go with frozen, let the peaches thaw in a colander beforehand. If you use canned peaches, omit the cane sugar.
Cornstarch — To thicken the peach filling. Cornstarch is optional, but we always prefer to thicken our filling just a little.
Lemon juice — Adds a tart, vibrant flavor to help balance the sweetness of the peaches. Lemon juice also prevents too much browning of fruit.
Cane sugar — To sweeten the peach filling. You can also add an optional sprinkle on top to create a crunchy textural element.
Cinnamon — We prefer the flavor of cinnamon mixed in with the peaches and on top of the crust. Nutmeg works well with peaches too, or a combination of both.
For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.
📝 Instructions
Step 1 — Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F with the rack in the middle. Add vegan butter cubes to a baking dish, and place it in the oven while it is preheating to melt the butter.
Step 2 — Once melted, remove the dish from your oven and set it aside for now.
Step 3 — Combine the cake mix and soy milk, being careful not to overmix.
Step 4 — Pour the batter over the baking dish with melted butter, but do not stir the two together.
Step 5 — In a saucepan, combine the peaches, cane sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and corn starch.
Step 6 — Bring the peaches to a low boil until the peaches release their juices and the mixture thickens slightly.
Step 7 — Transfer the cooked peaches to the baking dish over the butter and batter, but again do not stir. Sprinkle the top of the peaches with a pinch of cinnamon (or nutmeg).
Step 8 — Bake your peach cobbler until the top is golden and the peaches are bubbly.
Step 9 — Let it cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes, then serve with optional vanilla ice cream. Happy eating!
If you have questions about making a peach cobbler with cake mix, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!
🍦 What to serve with cobbler
This peach cobbler with cake mix is delicious on its own, but do you know what it pairs incredibly well with? Some classic toppings like these:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Compote
- Jam
- Fresh berries
🌡️ Storage & reheating
Follow these storage tips to make sure your peach cobbler stays fresh:
Fridge — Keep your peach cobbler covered and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freezer — You can freeze the cobbler once it's completely cooled in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. This is not something we always recommend since the topping has a tendency to turn soggy. But a soggy cobbler is better than a wasted cobbler!
Reheating — Remove your cobbler from the fridge and let it warm to room temperature. Bake it at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes, or until warmed all the way through. If the top is browning, cover it with foil for the baking duration.
♻️ Variations
Canned peaches — If it's not peach season, don't worry! Canned peaches work perfectly well in this recipe. Just remember to omit the cane sugar.
Other fruits — If you don't have any peaches, swap in other fruits like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, or apples!
Gluten-free — Use Simple Mills Cake Mix for a gluten-free version, which contains almond flour.
Different spices — Try using other fragrant spices like nutmeg, ginger, clove, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice.
🧑🍳 Top tips
Don't mix — In order for the cake mix to rise and create an irresistible crust, don't mix it when you add it to the baking dish.
Rest before serving — Resting the cobbler before serving allows the juices to further thicken up, creating an irresistibly jammy filling.
Fill your dish — Adjust the size of the recipe according to how big your dish is. You can measure this by filling up your dish with peaches to your desired height before prepping the rest of the ingredients.
Use ripe peaches — Choose in-season peaches for the most flavorful peach cobbler.
💬 FAQ
Cobblers don't traditionally have a bottom crust. However, many places in the Southern United States make them with a bottom crust, similar to a pie.
The best way to thicken the cobbler filling is by adding more cornstarch. One thing to note, as peach cobbler rests, it thickens due to pectin released from the fruit.
You do not have to peel your peaches for a cobbler. Removing the skin just gives the cobbler a smoother, pie filling texture, but it's absolutely not necessary.
🍴 More recipes like this one
If you enjoyed this peach cobbler with cake mix, be sure to check out some of our other favorite desserts like these:
- Peach cobbler: Another version of peach cobbler with a crisp, almost cookie-like topping.
- Blueberry donuts: Juicy, sweet, and tender donuts with a lemon glaze.
- Plum crisp: Juicy stone fruit covered with a chewy crust for the most mouthwatering treat ever.
- Strawberry tamales: Light and fluffy dough filled with bursts of sweet, juicy strawberries.
- Carlota de limón: Maria cookies, coconut milk, and cashews are layered together in this lime icebox cake.
📋 Recipe
Easy Peach Cobbler With Cake Mix
Equipment
- 2 ½ quart baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
Ingredients
Topping
- ½ cup vegan butter ($1.16)
- 1 16-ounce box vegan cake mix ($1.94)
- ¾ cup soy milk ($0.34)
Filling
- 6 large ripe peaches (~5 cups), peeled, pitted, and sliced ($4.00)
- ¾ cup cane sugar ($0.06)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice ($0.18)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch ($0.01)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ($0.02)
For serving optional
- Dairy-free vanilla ice cream
Instructions
Topping
- Preheat your oven to 350°F with the rack in the middle. Add vegan butter cubes to a 2 ½ quart baking dish, and place it in the oven while it is preheating to melt the butter. Once melted, remove the dish from your oven.
- Combine the cake mix and soy milk, being careful not to overmix. Pour the batter over the melted butter, but do not stir it.
Filling
- In a saucepan, combine the peaches, cane sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Bring to a low boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
Baking
- Transfer the peach mixture to the baking dish, but do not stir. Sprinkle the top of the peaches with a pinch of cinnamon (or nutmeg) and extra cane sugar.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cobbler is golden on top and bubbly.
- Remove your peach cobbler from the oven and let it cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Serve with optional vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, etc. Happy eating!
Notes
- Don't mix — In order for the cake mix to rise and create an irresistible crust, don't mix it when you add it to the baking dish.
- Rest before serving — Resting the cobbler before serving allows the juices to further thicken up, creating an irresistibly jammy filling.
- Fill your dish — Adjust the size of the recipe according to how big your dish is. You can measure this by filling up your dish with peaches to your desired height before prepping the rest of the ingredients.
- Use ripe peaches — Choose in-season peaches for the most flavorful peach cobbler.
- We calculate nutritional information for our recipes with Cronometer.
- Recipe cost calculations are based on ingredients local to us and may vary from recipe to recipe. All prices are in USD.
Stephen
Cane sugar is an ingredient in most cake mixes and is not vegan as it is filtered through animal bone char. I would suggest people make their own cake mix.
Mitch and Justine
Hey Stephen!
Most refined cane sugar is processed through bone char (that's how it gets its characteristic white color). Natural cane sugar is not refined through bone char, hence the off-white, beige color. It's always good to check with specific brands, but making your own cake mix is a great way to ensure it is vegan-friendly as you said! Hope that clears things up!