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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!

So Easy & So Yummy

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4.98 from 1047 votes (912 ratings without comment)

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459 Comments

  1. David simpson says:

    I’m not a baker ,,,, but I can make this delicious dessert!!
    David S CLT NC

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yay! That’s great to hear. Thanks so much for sharing!

  2. Rachel says:

    I forgot to put the eggs:< how important are they??? I cook, I am not so good at baking!! Help

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You know, I haven’t omitted the eggs in the recipe before so I’m not sure how it would turn out. Was it ok? We have a few other dump cake recipes that don’t call for eggs, so it may have been fine. Eggs typically hold the filling together, so it may have turned out to be more of a sloppy/soupy texture. I’d be curious to hear!!

  3. Lori says:

    Do the leftovers need to be refrigerated?
    Thanks in advance!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yes, I’d suggest storing any leftovers in the fridge. They should last 3-4 days.

  4. Janice Scott says:

    This is so easy and a blue ribbon winner! Love it!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yay! I’m so glad you love the recipe!

  5. Lucy Thacker says:

    Sounds delicious! I’d like to do this in an 8×8 pan, do you know how I would adjust the cooking time/temperature? Thanks in advance!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      I’d suggest splitting the recipe in half to fit in an 8X8 pan. As far as time and temperature, the oven temp can stay the same. The time will need to be reduced a bit. I’d suggest just keeping an eye on it. Maybe check it at 30 minutes and adjust from there. Hope you enjoy the cake!!

  6. Juanita S. Lopez says:

    5 stars
    My neighbor just made this cake for a birthday celebration. Everyone RAVED how incredibly delicious this cake was! Your recipe is perfect and so easy since it’s a dump cake. It was moist & the topping was just perfect with a little crunch to it. Incredible! Thank you thank you thank you!
    I will be making this recipe for the women’s Thanksgiving dinner at church next week!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Oh you are so welcome!! I’m so glad you loved the recipe. Hope it’s a hit at the Thanksgiving dinner.

  7. wayne hamlin says:

    5 stars
    great recipe

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thank you!!

  8. Crystal N Johnson says:

    The ads keep popping up and blocking the recipe over and over and even as I type this comment. I appreciate the recipe, but so ridiculous to have so many ads I can’t even use it!

  9. Gail Perry says:

    The pumpkin to cake ratio was too much for me. I like the simplicity of the dump cake so I may experiment a bit so that the pumpkin isn’t so overwhelming.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!

  10. Ashli says:

    5 stars
    I only had one can of pumpkin so I halved the spices and eggs but used an entire cake mix and it turned out wonderful! I will definitely make it again!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for sharing what you did! So glad to hear it turned out and was delicious!