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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.
  • ยฝ 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
  • ยพ cup unsalted butter

How to Make a Pumpkin Dump Cake

  1. PREP. Preheat oven to 350ยฐF.
  2. BATTER. Mix 1 can pumpkin puree, 1 can evaporated milk, 1 teaspoon ginger, ยฝ 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 ยพ 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 1044 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
  • ยฝ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 (15.25-ounce) package yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • ยพ cup butter

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF.
  • 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.ย We like to serve this warm, but if you have leftovers, cover and store in the refrigeratorย for 2โ€“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 2ยผ cups all-purpose flour, 1ยฝ cups sugar, 3ยฝ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. Use a pastry cutter to blend in the butter, and youโ€™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 2ยผ cups all-purpose flour, 1ยฝ cups granulated sugar, 3ยฝ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, plus 4 tablespoons butter (ยฝ 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.ย 

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ 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 1044 votes (912 ratings without comment)

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452 Comments

  1. David says:

    Confused. Wound up with a fair amount of uncooked cake mix powder on top. Had to add a lot more butter around those parts.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Sorry to hear it didn’t quite turn out for you. Thanks for giving the recipe a try!

  2. hong morra says:

    I haven’t tried yet, but I’m sure that it will be good and I sure will make this. I just love your recipes, what ever I tried they are all very good. Thank you so very much for all the recipes. Have a wonderful day.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thank you so much for your kind words!! They mean so much. I’m so happy to hear you enjoy the recipes. Hope you like this one too!

  3. Wilma Mooney says:

    5 stars
    Tasted great. I did however only use 1/2 cup of sugar and it was plenty sweet since the cakemix has sugar already. Thanks!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for sharing what you did! Glad to hear you enjoyed the cake!

  4. Katen Zwicky says:

    A can of pumpkin is 15 oz. it says 40 oz pumpkin? 2 cans?? All other recipes use 1 can. Typo?

    1. Karen zwicky says:

      Recipe says 30 oz pumpkin. A can is 15 oz? So assuming 2 cans? All other recipes use 1 can ?

    2. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yes, the recipe calls for 30 oz pumpkin… so either two small cans or you can sometimes find large cans (at least I’ve found it in the LIBBY’s brand) that are 29 oz where one can would work.

  5. Lyra Maltese says:

    5 stars
    Yum!!!!…better than a pumpkin pie by a long shot!! 5 stars

    1. LilLunaTeam says:

      That makes me happy to hear! Thanks for sharing!

  6. Tammie Burton says:

    5 stars
    This is one of the best cakes I have ever made, going to make it for Christmas.

  7. Colette Damon says:

    Quick question. Could I assemble the day before, refrigerate and then cook on the day needed? If so are there any adjustments I would need to make for cooking time, etc.? Would like to make this Christmas, thank you!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      That should be fine, but Id add a few extra minutes to it, if it’s still cold ๐Ÿ˜‰

  8. Cindy says:

    5 stars
    I wish I could give this 6 stars. You feel like you are eating the most comforting dessert. Try this one!

  9. Natasha says:

    4 stars
    One of my favorites for fall. So good!

  10. Kim Cherry says:

    5 stars
    This is now my Husbandโ€™s favorite pumpkin dish…better than pumpkin pie!