Our Pumpkin Dump Cake is one of those fall desserts we make when we need something easy, delicious and no-fail.
We got the recipe from Lorin’s aunt a long time ago and now make it for every Thanksgiving and many fall potlucks. Not only is it beyond delicious, but it’s so simple to make as well. You mix up a pumpkin pie-style base, sprinkle cake mix and pecans over the top, then add thin slices of butter and let the oven do the rest. It bakes up with a creamy pumpkin layer underneath and a buttery, golden topping on top.
Serve it warm with whipped cream, Vanilla Ice Cream or even Caramel Sauce. We promise everyone will love it and it won’t disappoint.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- No-fuss preparation. Dump cake requires minimal effort and time, making it an ideal easy cake recipe for busy schedules.
- Fall flavor so easy! Tastes like pumpkin pie with a buttery cake topping.
- Custard-style pumpkin base. Eggs and evaporated milk help the pumpkin layer set like pie.
- Thin butter slices bake the topping. Covering cake mix with butter prevents dry spots and creates a golden crust.
Pumpkin Dump Cake Ingredients
- Pumpkin puree (1 (30-ounce) can): Forms the creamy custard base with natural sweetness and moisture. 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.
- Evaporated milk (1 (16-ounce) can): Adds richness and helps the pumpkin set silky and smooth.
- Ginger (1 teaspoon): Bright, zesty spice that lifts the pumpkin flavor.
- Ground cloves (½ teaspoon): Deep, warm spice that adds cozy bakery aroma.
- Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the custard and balances the spices.
- Eggs (4): Set the custard so it slices and scoops cleanly.
- Cinnamon (2 teaspoons): Signature spice that makes the pumpkin shine.
- Yellow cake mix (1 (15.25-ounce) package): “Dumped” on top to create a buttery, crumbly crust as it bakes. You are only using the dry cake mix. If you don’t have yellow cake mix, use a pumpkin spice cake mix or white cake mix.
- Chopped pecans (1 cup): Toasty crunch that contrasts the soft filling. Or walnuts, toffee bits, mini chocolate chips, or crushed graham crackers.
- Butter (¾ cup): Thin slices melt into the cake mix for a crisp, golden topping.
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.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Grease and flour the pan so slices lift cleanly with tidy edges.
- Slice butter very thin to cover the surface evenly, this ensures an even, crunchy top.
- If you spot dry cake mix near the end, add a few tiny butter pieces and bake a little longer.
- Do not stir after layering, the topping should stay on the surface to crisp.
- Let it rest 15 to 20 minutes before serving so the custard sets.
- It really is great on its own but served with vanilla ice cream, homemade whipped cream and caramel sauce is our favorite!
- Make-ahead tip: bake the day before, then rewarm in the oven before serving.
Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe
Video
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!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
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.
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This recipe was first shared September, 2018.
Thank you for the pumpkin dump I need to make something different for the Thanksgiving dinner for a huge crowd and am going to make this as I know it will be wonderful. So thank you very much. Looks like a five so am going to rate it five .
Awe, thank you!! Your guests will love it! At least, we do 🙂 Good luck!!
Please, please make recipes so they can be pinned to Pintrest!
They can be 🙂 I know at least for me, on my computer the Pinterest button appears when my cursor is over the picture. Not sure how it is on your computer. Also, you can find most of them on Pinterest.
I am not a fan of pumpkin, so I was just thinking about using sweet yams instead, this sounds very good. I love making dump cakes.
Let me know what you think 🙂 Hope you like it!
I fixed this about a month ago and it was delicous!! Thank you for sharing it!!
I’m glad you liked it!! We love it! Thanks Mary!
The pumpkin part was really good! The cake mix, nuts, butter not as great. There was too much topping. Next time I’d like to try mixing the cake mix together first and maybe putting half on the bottom and prebaking? That would take away the “quick” part but make the top more crumbly.
Thanks for giving it a try!! 🙂
In this Pumpkin Poke Cake recipe, do you use pumpkin pie filling or the pumpkin puree as it doesn’t say. Just want to make sure before I make it for Thanksgiving. Thank you.
You can buy a can of pumpkin. That is what to use. You could google it, so you can see what you are looking for, but it’s a can of pumpkin. Hope that helps 🙂
I’m from the UK, what is yellow cake mix, do you know what our equivalent is? Thank you
I just found this on google…it is pretty much a plain cake mix that doesn’t contain an extra flavor. It is called yellow not plain because there are two types of plain, white and yellow. The difference is that white uses only egg white while yellow uses the yolks. There is also a slight difference in the type of flour used. Also a white cake taste a lot better & is loved more than a yellow cake but both of them are very good. You could google to find a homemade recipe, too, if that helps 🙂
The recipe and picture look fantastic.
Thanks so much!! Hope you’ll give it a try 🙂 It’s delicious!
With the one cup of sugar in the pumpkin mixture in addition to the sugar in the cake mix, does the cake turn out very sweet? I don’t like desserts that are excessively sweet hence I’m considering cutting down on the sugar in the pumpkin.
I don’t think it is 🙂 But, you could always cut it down, if you prefer.
Hi..the pumpkin dump cake was delicious. Do you store covered on the counter or in the fridge?
I just store mine in an air tight container, with the lid. You can also put it in the fridge. Whichever you prefer 🙂 Glad you liked it!