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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!

Pumpkin Dump Cake topped with whipped cream on a white plate.

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.

Pumpkin mixture poured into a glass baking dish.

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
Layering cake mix and pecans on a pumpkin pie filling.

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.

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. 

Unbaked Pumpkin Cake with Yellow Cake Mix and butter slices on top.

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. 

Close up of Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe topped with fresh whipped cream.

Recipe FAQ

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.

Is pumpkin puree the same as canned pumpkin?

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:

4.98 from 1042 votes

Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Simple and delicious pumpkin dump cake preps in minutes. With all of these earthy flavors, it's perfect all fall long!
Servings: 15
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (30-ounce) can pumpkin puree canned
  • 1 (16-ounce) can evaporated milk
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 (15.25-ounce) package yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 3/4 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!

Video

Notes

Leftovers. We like to serve this warm, but if you have leftovers, cover and store in the refrigerator for 2–3 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 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1½ cups sugar, 3½ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. Use a pastry cutter to blend in the butter, and you’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.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

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About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” 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!

More About Kristyn

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Recipe Rating




436 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Perfect dessert for the fall. My whole family raved over it. We had it warm with whip cream, as well as cold with icecream. We loved it both ways, but prefer it cold. The crunch on top with the delicious pecan flavor sets this dessert above many other pumpkin desserts.

    Reply

  4. This sounds so good! I would like to make it. I bought the pie filling before realizing it is made with pumpkin puree. Can this be made with the pie filling?

    Reply

      1. Mine is coming out runny and i followed recipe EXACTLY. I think it is too much milk. I need help though, i dont understand why it is runny. I will remake one tomOrrow as it is for a thansgiving celebration we Are having. Please help

      2. Hmm..I am not sure why? Did you use evaporated milk? All the amounts are correct, so I am not sure why it came out runny. I am sorry. I wish I knew for sure.

  8. 5 stars
    This was an absolutely awesome recipe, i made a few changes however, i didnt have pumpkin so i use squash from my garden , i used half and half that i needed to use before it soured.

    Reply

  9. 5 stars
    Freakin awesome! Just Re remember to break up any clumps in the cake mix with your fingers Be before adding the butter on top. Also sliCe the cold butter very very thin so it covers the entire top!

    Reply