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3 Ingredient Peach Cobbler Recipe
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, a can opener, and about five minutes of energy left after a long day, this cozy 3 Ingredient Peach Cobbler Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a simple peach cobbler recipe you can whip up with pantry staples, and it tastes like you spent all afternoon baking a homemade peach cobbler from scratch.
This easy peach cobbler is warm, buttery, and full of juicy peaches—an ideal 3 ingredient dessert for busy weeknights, church potlucks, or last-minute guests. It’s a fast peach dessert that still feels special enough for Sunday supper.
What Makes This Peach Cobbler So Special?
I’ve baked a lot of cobblers in my 50 years—some with fancy toppings, some with buttermilk biscuits, and a few that required a sink full of dirty dishes. This is not that kind of cobbler.
This 3 Ingredient Peach Cobbler Recipe is what I reach for when:
- It’s too hot to fuss, but I still want a classic summer peach dessert.
- I need a beginner friendly cobbler for my kids (or my husband) to help with.
- I promised dessert but forgot… until people were pulling into the driveway.
You know what? Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones people remember the most. This easy fruit cobbler has that old-fashioned, church-social flavor, but it’s built on smart shortcuts like canned peaches and cake mix. No mixers. No special tools. Just a baking dish, a little butter, and your oven.
And the best part: you can dress it up or keep it bare-bones. Vanilla ice cream on top? Sure. A dollop of whipped cream? Absolutely. Or just a warm scoop in a bowl while you’re standing at the kitchen counter. No judgment here.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 3 ingredients – You can probably guess them, and they’re easy to keep on hand.
- Ridiculously easy – If you can open a can and melt butter, you can make this easy peach cobbler.
- Beginner friendly – Perfect for new bakers, teens, college students, or anyone nervous about baking.
- Crowd-pleasing flavor – Tastes like a classic homemade peach cobbler, with minimal effort.
- Fast dessert – Just a few minutes of prep and the oven does the rest; truly a quick peach cobbler.
- Flexible and forgiving – Add spices, nuts, or other fruit if you want, or keep it as a clean three ingredient cobbler.
- Budget-friendly – Simple pantry ingredients make this a very affordable easy baking recipe.
- Great for any season – Canned peaches mean you get a peach dessert recipe even when fresh peaches are long gone.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for this minimal ingredient dessert:
- 2 cans (15–16 oz each) sliced peaches in heavy syrup or juice
- Don’t drain them; you need that liquid for a saucy cobbler.
- Heavy syrup gives a richer, sweeter cobbler, while juice is a little lighter.
- 1 box (about 15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- Any brand works: Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, or store brand.
- Yellow cake mix gives that buttery, classic flavor, but white cake mix also works.
- 1/2 cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- Salted butter is fine if that’s what you have—just skip any extra salt.
- Melt it gently so it’s fully liquid but not sizzling hot.
Optional (highly recommended, but not counted as ingredients):
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- A pinch of salt
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving
If you’re watching sugar, you can use peaches in light syrup or juice and a “light” cake mix. It won’t be a health food, but it’s a touch lighter while still tasting indulgent.
Directions
Follow these simple steps and you’ll have a warm canned peach cobbler on the table before you can clear the dinner dishes.
-
Preheat your oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. A glass or ceramic dish works best for even baking. -
Add the peaches
Pour both cans of peaches with all their liquid into the prepared baking dish. Spread them out so the slices are fairly even.- If you like smaller pieces, you can cut the peaches in half with a knife or even a pair of kitchen scissors right in the dish.
-
Sprinkle on the dry cake mix
Sprinkle the yellow cake mix evenly over the peaches. Don’t stir.- Pat it lightly with a spoon or your hand to level it out. You want the cake mix to cover the fruit in a fairly even layer, like a cozy blanket.
-
Add spices (if using)
If you’re using cinnamon, nutmeg, or a pinch of salt, sprinkle them over the top of the dry cake mix. Again—don’t stir. The oven will do its magic and pull everything together. -
Pour over the melted butter
Slowly drizzle the melted butter over the top of the cake mix, trying to cover as much of the surface as possible.- Some dry spots are okay; the peach juices will rise and hydrate those pockets as it bakes.
- If you see any large dry patches after drizzling, you can gently nudge the butter around with a spoon.
-
Bake until golden and bubbly
Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until:- The top is golden brown.
- The edges are bubbly.
- The center looks mostly set, not wet.
Every oven runs a little different, so start checking around 35 minutes. If the top is browning too fast, you can tent it loosely with foil.
-
Cool slightly and serve
Let the cobbler rest for about 10–15 minutes before serving. This helps the juices thicken so your scoops hold together better.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of whipped cream for an extra cozy touch.
Servings & Timing
- Yield: About 8–10 servings
- Prep Time: 5–10 minutes
- Bake Time: 40–50 minutes
- Total Time: About 55–60 minutes
It’s a fast peach dessert in terms of hands-on work, since the oven does almost everything.
Variations: Fun Twists on This Simple Peach Cobbler Recipe
This 3 Ingredient Peach Cobbler Recipe is a great base. Once you’ve made it once or twice, you can play around a bit.
- Cinnamon Sugar Crunch – Sprinkle 2–3 tablespoons of sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon over the cake mix for a crunchy top.
- Berry Peach Cobbler – Add 1–2 cups of fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries with the peaches for a mixed-fruit twist.
- Nutty Topping – Scatter 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts over the top before baking for a Southern-style crunch.
- Gluten-Free Cobbler – Use a gluten-free yellow or vanilla cake mix to turn this into a gluten-free easy fruit cobbler.
- Spiced Holiday Version – Add extra cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of ground ginger for a cozy fall or winter dessert.
- Caramel Peach Cobbler – Drizzle 1/4 cup caramel sauce over the peaches before adding the cake mix for a richer, almost caramel-peach flavor.
Storage & Reheating
One nice thing about this easy peach cobbler is that it keeps well—if you manage to have leftovers.
How to Store:
- Room temperature: If your kitchen isn’t too warm, you can keep it covered at room temperature for up to 1 day.
- Refrigerator: For longer storage, cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3–4 days.
How to Reheat:
- Single servings: Microwave on medium power for 30–45 seconds, just until warm.
- Whole pan: Cover with foil and warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 15–20 minutes, or until heated through.
Freezer-Friendly?
Yes. Let the cobbler cool completely, wrap well (or use a freezer-safe container), and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm gently in the oven.
Make-Ahead Tip:
You can assemble the cobbler (peaches + cake mix + butter) up to 4 hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Bake just before serving. If you’re baking straight from the fridge, add an extra 5–10 minutes to the bake time.
Notes from My Kitchen
- Don’t drain the peaches. I know it feels strange to pour all that liquid into the pan, but that syrup is what turns this from cake mix and fruit into a proper, saucy cobbler.
- Yellow cake mix gives the most classic flavor. White or vanilla cake mixes work, but yellow has that cozy, buttery taste people expect from a homemade peach cobbler.
- Check the center. If the top looks done but the center still looks very wet, give it 5–10 more minutes. The middle should look set and soft, not soupy.
- Let it rest. I tested this recipe several times, and the batches that rested for 15–20 minutes had a much better texture. The sauce thickens, and the flavors come together.
- Ice cream is not optional. Okay, it is… but that hot-cold contrast with a warm quick peach cobbler and cold vanilla ice cream? It tastes like summer, even in January.
And a little personal note: this is the dessert I taught my kids first. It helped them feel confident in the kitchen, and they were so proud to bring a simple peach cobbler recipe to family gatherings that everyone loved.
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh peaches instead of canned?
Yes. Use about 5–6 cups of sliced fresh peaches, and add 1/2–3/4 cup sugar plus 1/3–1/2 cup water to mimic the syrup. Make sure the peaches are juicy.
2. Can I use frozen peaches?
Absolutely. Thaw them and toss with some sugar (about 1/2 cup) and a splash of water. You’ll want some liquid in the pan so the cobbler isn’t dry.
3. My topping has some dry spots—did I do something wrong?
Not necessarily. A few dry, crisp spots are normal with this style of three ingredient cobbler. Next time, try to drizzle the butter a bit more evenly or add 1–2 extra tablespoons.
4. Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes. Use peaches in juice instead of heavy syrup, or mix some of the syrup with water before adding. The cake mix has plenty of sweetness on its own.
5. Do I need to stir the cake mix into the peaches?
No—please don’t. The magic of this easy peach cobbler comes from leaving layers: peaches on the bottom, cake mix in the middle, butter on top.
6. Can I make this in a smaller pan?
You can use a 9×9-inch pan, but the cobbler will be thicker and may need an extra 5–10 minutes of baking time. Check for that golden brown top and bubbling edges.
7. What if I don’t have yellow cake mix?
White, vanilla, or even a butter-flavor cake mix will all work. The flavor will shift a little, but it will still be a delicious easy baking recipe.
8. Is this recipe good for beginners or kids?
Very much yes. This is one of my favorite starter recipes for new cooks because it’s a beginner friendly cobbler with very little that can go wrong.
Conclusion
This 3 Ingredient Peach Cobbler Recipe is the kind of dessert that proves you don’t need a long ingredient list or fancy skills to make something warm, comforting, and downright delicious. It’s simple, fast, and flexible—an easy peach cobbler you can throw together for guests, potlucks, or just a quiet night at home.
If you make this cobbler, let me know how it turns out—leave a comment, tell me your favorite variation, or share if you turned it into your own signature summer peach dessert. And if you love easy sweets like this, you might also enjoy trying another quick 3 ingredient dessert from your pantry next.
3 Ingredient Peach Cobbler
Ingredients
- 2 cans (15–16 oz each) sliced peaches in heavy syrup or juice do not drain
- 1 box (about 15.25 oz) yellow cake mix white or vanilla cake mix can be substituted
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted; 1 stick / 113 g; salted butter is fine
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
- 1 pinch salt optional, omit if using salted butter and prefer less salt
- vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Pour both cans of sliced peaches with all of their liquid into the prepared baking dish. Spread the peaches out so the slices are fairly even. If you prefer smaller pieces, cut the peach slices in half in the dish.2 cans (15–16 oz each) sliced peaches in heavy syrup or juice
- Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the peaches, covering them in a fairly even layer. Do not stir.1 box (about 15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- If using cinnamon, nutmeg, or a pinch of salt, sprinkle them evenly over the top of the dry cake mix. Do not stir.1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 pinch salt
- Slowly drizzle the melted butter evenly over the surface of the cake mix, trying to cover as much as possible. A few small dry spots are fine; the peach juices will moisten them as the cobbler bakes.1/2 cup unsalted butter
- Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, the edges are bubbly, and the center looks mostly set rather than wet. Start checking around 35 minutes. If the top browns too quickly, tent the dish loosely with foil.
- Remove the cobbler from the oven and let it rest for 10–15 minutes to allow the juices to thicken. Serve warm, plain or with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
