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Simple and delicious pumpkin dump cake preps in minutes. With so many spices and sweet flavors, it’s perfect all fall long!
We love dump cakes—because of the simplicity, but also the TASTE! Our favorite flavors include peach and cherry, but in the fall, this pumpkin dump cake is the only cake we need!
A Perfect Fall Dessert!
It’s PUMPKIN time!! It’s that time of year when pumpkin and soup recipes start popping up everywhere and fall is on its way!
Today’s pumpkin recipe was shared by a family member. We stopped by on Thanksgiving to say hi and after they fed us this fall dessert, we fell in love and had to give it a try!
It’s called pumpkin dump cake, because you literally dump it, bake it, and enjoy it! It is so simple, and literally is the BEST fall cake.
making a Dump Cake
“Dump” cakes are as easy as they sound! Just mix and dump layers in a pan. Hence the name. Dump cakes are similar to cobblers, but a cobbler uses a biscuit or pie crust as the topping.
PREP. Preheat oven to 350°F.
BATTER. Mix pumpkin, milk, ginger, cloves, sugar, eggs, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Pour into a greased and floured 9×13 pan.
TOPPING. Sprinkle cake mix and chopped pecans on top. Cut butter very thin and cover all over the cake mix.
BAKE + ENJOY! Bake for 1 hour. Serve warm topped with Whipped Cream or Vanilla Ice Cream, and even a caramel drizzle if you’re feeling extra fancy.
Additional Topping Ideas
The pecans are totally optional on this easy pumpkin dump cake, but if you aren’t a fan of pecans try:
- crushed graham crackers
- toffee bits
- substitute for another type of chopped nut
recipe tips
Although we love this dessert as is, you can change up this pumpkin pie dump cake with a few of these suggestions.
Cake mix alternative. You are only using the dry cake mix, and not making it into a cake batter. If you don’t have yellow cake mix, use a pumpkin spice cake mix, or make a homemade mix.
Here’s how:
- Whisk together 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1½ cups granulated sugar, 3½ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt plus 4 tbsp butter (½ stick).
- Use a pastry cutter to blend in the butter, and you’ve got a homemade yellow cake mix.
Variations.
- Replace the ginger, cloves, and cinnamon with an equal amount of Pumpkin Pie Spice.
- Forgo the Whipped Cream and add a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream.
- Drizzle with Caramel Sauce.
- Sprinkle on mini chocolate chips.
Pumpkin puree. Note that this pumpkin cake with yellow cake mix calls for a can of pumpkin puree and NOT canned pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling already has spices and other ingredients mixed into it. Whereas pumpkin puree is only pumpkin.
Storing Info
STORE. 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.
FREEZE. 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. Thaw overnight in the fridge and serve chilled or reheat the slices in the microwave.
Recipe FAQ
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.
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.
For More Pumpkin Recipes, Check Out:
- Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Magic Pumpkin Cake
- Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Bars
- No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecakes
- Libby’s Pumpkin Roll
Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe
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.
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!