For a slightly more complex flavor, you can swap the yellow cake mix for spice cake mix and omit or reduce the added cinnamon. If peaches aren’t your favorite or not on sale, try canned cherries, pears, or a mixed fruit cocktail—just keep the total amount of canned fruit and liquid roughly the same.
To add texture, sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts over the top along with the cinnamon before adding the peaches. If you prefer a less sweet dessert, use peaches canned in juice instead of heavy syrup and cut the butter back to 6 tablespoons. For a dairy-free version, use a neutral-tasting dairy-free margarine or coconut oil in place of butter, checking that your cake mix is dairy-free as well.
Food safety tips: Always cook this cobbler on HIGH or LOW as directed; do not use the “keep warm” setting to cook, as it may not bring the dessert to a safe temperature. Make sure canned peaches are not dented, bulging, or past their expiration date before using.
Once cooked, cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate within 2 hours; store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat individual portions gently in the microwave until steaming hot before eating. Avoid leaving the cobbler sitting in the turned-off slow cooker for extended periods, as it can linger in the temperature danger zone (40°F–140°F) where bacteria grow more easily.
