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This simple spiced pumpkin dump cake preps in minutes for a perfectly delicious shareable dessert all fall long!
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.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
COOK TIME: 1 hour
- 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
- PREP. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Pumpkin Dump Cake
Ingredients
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I served this to 12 ladies and they inhaled it. They absolutely loved it and begged for the recipe. I would suggest going to sams or Costco to get the pumpkin since it takes 2 cans if possible. I served this with vanilla bean ice cream. Sinful. Loved it!!!
LOL…love it!! Thank you for making it & I am so happy they loved it!
Should I cut with a knife? Spatula? I just made it for the first time and I want the cut pieces to be pretty! ????
The pumpkin dump cake
Sorry, to not get back to you sooner! I hope you were able to cut it nicely. You could really cut it with whatever you like. If you want a more square piece, then a knife would work or spooning it out works too 🙂 It’s just up to you.
I have tweaked this recipe a little. First off I line my pan with parchment paper. I melt the butter and pour it over the pecans. I use 1 cup of butter. I omit gloves and ginger. After it has baked I let it cool and flip it out into a platter or cookie sheet. I mix 8oz softened cream cheese, one stick softened butter, 1 tsp vanilla and 2 cups powdered sugar. I them frost the pumpkin side. It is a favorite with everyone even the ones who claim they don’t like pumpkin.
Sounds great! Thanks for sharing!
I like your Pumpkin Dump cake, but I like to make a smaller size like 8 x 8 baking pan. I don’t go to that many pot lucks or entertain that I need to make a 9 x 13″ pan of goodies staring me in the face. Keep me on your list as the two of us do like pumpkin items.
I have never make the side cookies can’t wait
I love your site…great recipes AND are easy to print! Thanks
Anything made with pumpkin is my favorite all year ’round. And Autumn is especially fantastic because pumpkins are everywhere! This cake recipe looks awesome & I’m going to do a trial run & if I can be success at making it, I’m going to make it for family’s Thanksgiving get-together this year. Thank you for easy, delicious recipes.
First I think your adorable! Love your ideas. Your right on to what my family would like. Thank you. And God Bless
This looks delicious and it’s so pretty too! Can’t wait to make it for Thanksgiving. I’m wondering, since most of my family prefers sweet potato over pumpkin, if I could substitute the sweet potato for the pumpkin?
I haven’t tried, but I bet that would be fine 🙂 I’d love to know how it turns out, if you try it! Hope you like it!
making the pumpkin dump cake now! smells awesome!