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With smooth pumpkin flavors, crunchy pecans, and a dollop of whipped cream, this pumpkin crunch cake is a must-make during the fall season.
The Perfect Holiday Dessert
Our pumpkin crunch cake recipe is one of those pumpkin desserts that we crave ALL FALL long! It’s so full of flavor and spice that it’s hard not to crave once the weather cools down.
This recipe is a twist on our famous Pumpkin Dump Cake and has a buttery pecan crunch that is to die for.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or simply craving a sweet treat, this dessert is sure to impress and add variety.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- Easy to make. With minimal prep time and simple ingredients, this easy cake recipe is perfect for busy schedules.
- Fall flavors. The warm spices and rich pumpkin taste capture the essence of fall in every bite.
- Delightful. Serve warm with a scoop of Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream or chilled for a refreshing treat.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 12 minutes
COOK TIME: 1 hour
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree – When making this pumpkin cake be sure to use canned pumpkin puree and NOT canned pumpkin pie filling
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice – store-bought or homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice.
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix – The box of cake mix should be about 15-16 ounces. Make sure to only use the cake mix powder in the recipe. You will not be using the ingredients that are typically listed on the back of the box.
- 1 cup chopped pecans – If you’re not a fan of pecans try using walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts for the crunchy topping. If you can’t have nuts try adding chopped toffee or use a streusel topping instead.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping – Drizzle Caramel Sauce over the top of the cake for even more decadence.
How to Make Pumpkin Crunch Cake
- PREP. Grease a 9 x 13 pan and pour in the batter. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- MIX. In a large mixing bowl combine the 1 can pumpkin puree, 1 can evaporated milk, 4 eggs, 1 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice, and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix everything well. Don’t worry that the pumpkin batter is runny. That’s normal.
- LAYER. Sprinkle the box of yellow cake mix on top of the pumpkin mixture. Gently pat the cake mix down completely covering the batter. Spread the 1 cup chopped pecans evenly over the top of the cake mix layer, then drizzle everything with 1 cup melted butter.
- BAKE. Bake for 60-80 minutes. After an hour, check the cake every 5 minutes to see if it’s cooked through and set. Take it out of the oven and allow the cake to stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- ENJOY! Serve your pumpkin crunch cake with dollops of Whipped Cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. A scoop of Homemade Vanilla ice Cream would also be a wonderful option
Pumpkin Crunch Cake
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl combine pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin spice, and salt. Mix well (the batter will be runny).
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish and pour in the batter. Sprinkle the yellow cake mix on top of the batter. Gently pat the cake mix down completely covering the batter.
- Spread the chopped pecans evenly over the cake mix layer, then drizzle it with melted butter.
- Bake for 60-80 minutes or until done. Allow the cake to stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Top each slice with whipped cream or ice cream.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Once the crunchy pumpkin cake has cooled it can keep on the counter for a couple more hours. If you are not serving it immediately, it can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later.
You can use a spice cake mix, just reduce the amount of added spice to help keep the flavor balanced. You can also use white cake mix.
Keep this pumpkin crunch recipe in the fridge overnight or until you’re ready to bake it.
Store any leftover pumpkin crunch dump cake in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Freeze this cake after it has cooled completely. Cover the cake with plastic wrap and again with foil. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and serve chilled or reheat it in the oven.
Sorry for the dumb question, but can canned pumpkin be used in this recipe instead of pumpkin puree? I have never baked with pumpkin! thanks,
canned pumpkin is the puree. you don’t want the canned pumpkin pie filling
Made this Pumpkin Crunch Cake yesterday and it is sooo good! Made it exactly as recipe instructed and wouldn’t advise tweeking it. Definitely a great dessert to take for Thanksgiving dinner! Will for sure be making it again!
Also tastes great when made with sweet potatoes. Add a little bourbon, 1 t. each of vanilla and lemon extract, Cinnamon and nutmeg to taste (I used 1 T Cinnamon and 1 t. Nutmeg). Yummy!
Yummy!! Thanks for sharing what you did! Glad you enjoyed the recipe.
I just made it and it is delicious!! However, is the texture more like pumpkin pie at the bottom? From the video it looked more like a cake than mine seems to be.
Easy, smells great, tastes great. I used canned pumpkin for the pumpkin purée, walnuts for the top.
So easy and absolutely delicious!
How long can I leave it out after baking till I serve?
So easy and absolutely delicious!
How long can I leave it out after baking till I serve?
This is my permanent pumpkin pie….so much better than crust pie….I like more of a deep dish pie so I changed it a bit….1 30oz can of Libby pumpkin & you just add evaporated milk & eggs…..2 cups sugar….1 c white & 1 c brown….6 eggs…2 cans evaporated milk….whisk well……pour liquid mixture into 9×13 sprayed pan…..sprinkle over 1 box yellow cake mix evenly…..pour evenly 1 c melted butter sprinkle over top 1 c chopped walnuts….bake 350 60 to 80 min ….when toothpick comes out clean….
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This was a huge with everyone in my family, they are asking for it again soon! 10/10 great recipe!
I’ve been on the lookout for a recipe like this! My Grandma use to make something similar – it’s so good!