When I need an easy holiday dessert that doesn’t take over the kitchen, this 5-ingredient slow cooker peach dessert is exactly the kind of recipe I reach for. It turns raw sliced fresh peaches and a few pantry basics into a warm, spoonable treat that feels a little like a cobbler and a little like a dump cake, which makes it perfect for Labor Day when the peaches are sweet and everyone wants something simple but cozy.
This dessert is especially good served warm with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream melting over the top. If you’re putting together a Labor Day spread, it fits right in after grilled burgers, barbecue chicken, baked beans, corn on the cob, or pasta salad, and a cup of coffee alongside dessert makes it feel extra homey.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Peach Dessert
Servings: 8
Ingredients
6 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
1 box yellow cake mix, about 15.25 ounces
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of a slow cooker with nonstick spray or a little butter, then spread the sliced peaches evenly across the bottom.
2. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon over the peaches, coating them as evenly as possible.
3. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the peach mixture, covering the fruit in a loose, even layer.
4. Drizzle the melted butter over the top, trying to moisten as much of the cake mix as you can without stirring.
5. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or on low for 4 hours, until the peaches are tender and the top is set and golden around the edges.
6. Let the dessert rest uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes before spooning into bowls and serving warm.
Variations & Tips
Add nuts: For a little crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the cake mix before adding the butter. It gives the topping a more cobbler-like texture and tastes especially good with the peaches.
Use nectarines: If your produce drawer is full of nectarines instead of peaches, this recipe works beautifully with those too. You can skip peeling them if you want to save time on a busy afternoon.
Watch for dry patches: Slow cookers all run a little differently, so if you notice large dry spots on top during cooking, drizzle over a tablespoon or two of extra melted butter. That helps the topping bake up more evenly.
Make it party-friendly: If I’m serving this at a cookout, I keep the slow cooker on the warm setting and set out bowls with ice cream and whipped cream nearby. It makes dessert self-serve and so much easier when everyone is coming back for seconds.