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This simple spiced pumpkin dump cake preps in minutes for a perfectly delicious shareable dessert all fall long!

Pumpkin Dump Cake topped with whipped cream on a white plate.
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The Perfect Fall Dessert!

We love dump cakes! Not only because of the simplicity, but also the TASTE (they’re usually always delicious!)

Our favorite flavors include Peach Dump Cake and Cherry Dump Cake, but in the fall, this pumpkin dump cake is the cake we have on repeat.

It’s called pumpkin dump cake, because you literally dump it, bake it, and enjoy it. Those are the kinds of treats we love, especially during a busy fall season. It’s why we think think this dessert is the Perfect fall dessert.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • No-fuss preparation. Dump cake requires minimal effort and time, making it an ideal easy cake recipe for busy schedules.
  • Personalize it. You can experiment with different types of cake mixes and toppings to create unique flavor combinations.
  • Fall and Holiday must-have. The combination of sweet pumpkin and buttery cake topping makes it a perfect fall dessert recipe and Thanksgiving dessert.
A glass bowl of pumpkin puree.

Ingredients

  • 1 (30-ounce) can pumpkin puree – Canned pumpkin is pumpkin puree combined with sugar and extra spices. Pumpkin puree is pure pumpkin. Be sure to use pumpkin puree in the pumpkin dump cake recipe.
  • 1 (16-ounce) can evaporated milk – not sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon ginger – Replace the ginger, cloves, and cinnamon with an equal amount of Pumpkin Pie Spice.
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 whole eggs
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 (15.25-ounce) package yellow cake mix – You are only using the dry cake mix. If you don’t have yellow cake mix, use a pumpkin spice cake mix
  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toffee bits, mini chocolate chips, or crushed graham crackers
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter

How to Make a Pumpkin Dump Cake

  1. PREP. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. BATTER. Mix 1 can pumpkin puree, 1 can evaporated milk, 1 teaspoon ginger, ½ teaspoon cloves, 1 cup sugar, 4 eggs, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a large bowl. Pour the pumpkin mixture into a greased and floured 9×13 pan.
  3. TOPPING. Sprinkle the dry cake mix on top then add 1 cup chopped pecans on top. Cut ¾ cup butter very thin and place them evenly over the crumble topping.
  4. BAKE + ENJOY! Bake for 1 hour. Serve warm topped with Whipped Cream or Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, and even a Caramel Sauce drizzle if you’re feeling extra fancy.

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4.98 from 1047 votes

Pumpkin Dump Cake

By: Lil’ Luna
This simple spiced pumpkin dump cake preps in minutes for a perfectly delicious shareable dessert all fall long!
Servings: 15
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (30-ounce) can pumpkin puree
  • 1 (16-ounce) can evaporated milk
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 (15.25-ounce) package yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • ¾ cup butter

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Mix pumpkin, milk, ginger, cloves, sugar, eggs, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Pour into a greased and floured 9×13 pan.
  • Sprinkle cake mix and chopped pecans on top.
  • Cut butter very thin and cover all over the cake mix.
  • Bake for 1 hour and serve warm with whipped cream. ENJOY!

Video

Notes

Leftovers. We like to serve this warm, but if you have leftovers, cover and store in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. Reheat in the microwave at 30-second intervals until warm.
No yellow cake mix on hand? You can use a pumpkin spice cake mix instead or make your own homemade mix. To make your own, whisk together 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1½ cups sugar, 3½ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. Use a pastry cutter to blend in the butter, and you’ve got a homemade yellow cake mix!

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 201kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 68mg, Sodium: 91mg, Potassium: 52mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 362IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 18mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Is Pumpkin Dump Cake Supposed to Be Gooey?

The bottom layer of this cake will be a bit gooey, but it should still be set enough to hold its shape when cut. The top section will have a more cake-like texture.

Can I Use Homemade Cake Mix?

Yes! Whisk 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1½ cups granulated sugar, 3½ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, plus 4 tablespoons butter (½ stick). Use a pastry cutter to blend in the butter, and you’ve got a homemade yellow cake mix.

How to Store Pumpkin Dump Cake?

We like to serve this pumpkin dump cake recipe warm, but you can store leftovers, covered, in the fridge. It should last for at least 2 days.
Reheat a slice by microwaving in 30-second intervals until it is the desired temperature.

How to Freeze Dump Cake?

To freeze a whole baked cake, wrap the entire pan with plastic wrap and again with foil.
For the leftover cake, divide it into individual freezer containers. Thawovernight in the fridge and serve chilled or reheat the slices in the microwave. 

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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4.98 from 1047 votes (912 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




457 Comments

  1. Lenore Hernandez says:

    5 stars
    Wow! This was so easy to prepare and tastes amazing. Highly recommend you try this recipe! You will not be disappointed.

  2. Rachel O'Neill says:

    5 stars
    I love all things pumpkin and this is by far my favorite pumpkin recipe! It’s easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser.

  3. Barb says:

    Only use a 15 ounce can pumpkin and 12 oz of evaporated milk cook 50 minutes! Much better

  4. Peggy Miller says:

    5 stars
    Made this for a luncheon. Everyone raved about it. I hate pumpkin but this cake was yummy.

  5. Megan says:

    This recipe is too wet. It did not firm up or become cake like even after longer in the oven. It was a waste. The evap milk should definitely be 12oz not 16 but I’m not entirely sure that would fix it. The pumpkin crunch cake was the recipe I intended to make a had good results for. I now remember I did this last year and it came out the same way.

  6. sylvia says:

    5 stars
    look so good..and the flavor have to be delicious…