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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 1046 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 1046 votes (912 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




455 Comments

  1. Trudi Hill says:

    It has just the right amount of sweetness to it and not over powering with the pumpkin flavor, however I think the cake mix should be swirled through the pumpkin pie batter alittle. Mine still had powder in I few spots.

  2. Judy says:

    5 stars
    Lil Luna has the best recipes……

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Awww thank you!! So happy you enjoy the recipes!

  3. Alexandria says:

    For the people that ended up with a powdery mess. You have to pretty much cover the cake in butter. Not leaving much of any gaps. The pumpkin part turned out eggs. Next time I will use 1 less egg.

  4. Jackie says:

    I donโ€™t have a rating but I canโ€™t wait to try!!!!!๐Ÿคค

  5. Deborah Taylor says:

    Fixed this already so good

  6. Kimberly Turner says:

    5 stars
    It was good . Now Iโ€™m always tweaking and playing . I used condensed milk and a little less sugar . Sooo good .. soooooo good

  7. Kim says:

    Use a spice cake mix, you wonโ€™t need to add all of the spices.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for the feedback!

  8. Amy Martin says:

    3 stars
    This recipe is in desperate need of some salt. I’ve made this many times, but not from this exact recipe. I just followed along, not noticing there was no salt, until I tasted it and realized it was missing. Other than that it’s a great recipe, and I highly recommend not skipping the pecans if you like pecans. They get all toasty and really add a lot to the dish. ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      I love the pecans too! You can certainly add salt to the recipe if you feel it needs some. Thanks for your feedback.

  9. Elena says:

    Disappointed…….some of cake mix was uncooked and powderly, other parts wet, uncooked. What did I do wrong? Followed recipe exactly.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      I’m not sure? We’ve always had success following the recipe. We had a reader comment once to melt the butter & stir it into the dry cake mix, then put on top the pumpkin mixture. Perhaps that may work better for you if you try the recipe again in the future.

  10. Jan says:

    5 stars
    Very easy to make and a family favorite. Delish. I cut the recipe in half for just the two of us and it worked great. Cook for 30 minutes.