This 5-ingredient oven-baked summer treat is the kind of easy dessert people make when they want something sweet, fruity, and crowd-pleasing without fussing over a complicated batter. It follows the familiar spirit of a dump cake, a practical American potluck favorite known for layering fruit and dry cake mix right in the pan, then baking it into a buttery cobbler-like dessert with a crisp golden top and soft jammy filling underneath.
Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream, lightly sweetened whipped cream, or a spoonful of Greek yogurt if you want a less rich finish. It also pairs nicely with fresh berries, sliced peaches, or iced coffee for an easy summer dessert spread, especially if you're bringing it to a picnic, cookout, or casual family dinner.
5-Ingredient Oven Baked Summer Treat
Servings: 12
Ingredients
1 box white cake mix, dry
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a rimmed sheet pan or 9x13-inch baking dish if you prefer a slightly thicker dessert.
2. Spread the peach pie filling evenly in the pan, then scatter the blueberries over the top for a fresh summer flavor and a little color contrast.
3. Sprinkle the dry white cake mix evenly over the fruit, covering the surface as completely as possible without stirring it in.
4. Drizzle the melted butter all over the cake mix and finish with the cinnamon, aiming to moisten as much of the surface as you can for an even golden crust.
5. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling around the edges. Let it rest for 10 minutes before scooping and serving.
Variations & Tips
Berry version: Swap the peach pie filling for cherry or mixed berry pie filling for a brighter, tangier result. Blueberries still work well here, or you can replace them with raspberries for a softer texture.
Butter coverage tip: If you notice dry patches of cake mix halfway through baking, drizzle on a little more melted butter. This helps the topping brown more evenly and prevents powdery spots.
Crunchy topping: Add a handful of chopped pecans or sliced almonds over the buttered cake mix before baking if you want a little texture. This works especially well when serving the dessert with ice cream.
Make-ahead note: This dessert is best baked the day you plan to serve it, but leftovers reheat well in a low oven. A short reheat helps restore some crispness to the top while keeping the fruit filling warm and spoonable.
