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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 really like ginger but That’s alot of ginger!
You can add how much you like 🙂
I’ve made this recipe several times but different ways and everybody loves it.
WHAT if I don’t add Ginger would that be okay?
I am sure it would 🙂 I have never left it out, but yes, you could leave it out.
How do you know it s completly done? Some over cook differently.
As long, as it isn’t a gooey mess, it’s done 🙂
Hello!
Can i used pumpkin pie spice vs. all separate spices? how much total pumpkin pie spice would you recommend?
Thanks!
I haven’t tried, but I am sure you could. I would have to test it out to know how much, since I’ve never tried. I would start small, that way you could add more. I don’t want to say the wrong amount.
i have made every flavor of dump cake, this is by far the crowd pleaser, people go wild over this cake, my niece grabbed the whole pan and a fork!!
LOL..I know what you mean! It’s gone so fast! I am glad you like it! Thank you!
I’d like to make this for a party tomorrow, given by a hostess with celiac disease. I see that you have the substitutions for the yellow cake mix. I have gluten free AP flour that is substituted measure for measure for regular AP flour. My question is that you say: “Just whisk together 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt. Use a pastry cutter to blend in the butter, and you’ve got a homemade yellow cake mix.” Did you forget to tell us how much better to cut into the homemade cake mix? Or are you saying to cut in the butter that would go on top of the cake if you use the store-bought yellow cake mix?
good question linda k, That puzzled me too I hope there’s an answer soon, i’d love to try this. i guess the only thing to do is use the packaged cake mix until there’s an answer….
I fixed it in the recipe 🙂 But, it is 4 tablespoons of butter. Sorry, for leaving that out. Hope you like it!
I did forget & I am so sorry to have not responded sooner. I set some questions aside, so I could look up the recipe, then life happened. I am so sorry. For the dump cake, it is 4 Tablespoons of butter. I hope it turned out!!
I love all things pumpkin especially in the Fall. I can’t wait to try out the recipe this year. It looks delicious.
This needs to happen at my house very soon!! Love this Pumpkin dump cake!
Let me know what you think!! It is so good!! Thank you!
Love that this comes together so easily! Can’t wait for my first piece!
That’s one reason I love it! I hope you liked it!! Thank you!
We call this pumpkin crunch cake at our house, and it’s amazing. LOVE the aroma through the house while it’s baking. Perfect with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream!
I am so with ya!! The smell is amazing & it’s great with ice cream! Thank you!