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I have tested multiple versions of pumpkin dump cake and this is the one that delivers perfect results every time. It has more than one million views and countless readers tell me it replaced pumpkin pie at their Thanksgiving table. I use canned pumpkin puree, the right cake mix, and a tested butter method so you get the ideal texture. You can trust this recipe because it is simple, reliable, and developed with real home bakers in mind.
This was absolutely fabulous!! I will be making this for our thanksgiving dinner. Much better than a plain pumpkin pie, hands down. Thanks!
-Betty
This recipe for Pumpkin Dump Cake is sure to be a family favorite!
I have made a lot of pumpkin dump cakes over the years and this version is the one I stand behind every time. I tested different cake mixes, pan sizes, butter methods, and spice levels to make sure the texture stays perfectly soft underneath with a golden crumbly topping. This recipe has more than one million views for a reason. It is easy, reliable, and tastes like a cross between pumpkin pie and a warm fall dessert.
I use canned pumpkin puree for the best flavor. Pumpkin pie filling creates an artificial taste and never bakes the same way. My top choice is a spice cake mix because it adds warmth and depth without extra work. I also tested this with a gluten free yellow cake mix and it baked beautifully which makes this recipe friendly for more people.
This is a recipe I make every single fall and it has shown up at more than one family Thanksgiving. I appreciate a shortcut dessert that still tastes homemade and this one never disappoints. If you are baking it in a smaller pan, give it more time in the oven so the center sets properly. Once you make it, you will understand why readers tell me they choose this over pumpkin pie every year.
So easy (I have four kids and made this with them all home!) and absolutely delicious! Saving this one for years to come!
-Kristina
You Will Love This Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe
Our easy dump cake recipe will become a family favorite, you might even like it more than traditional pumpkin pie! Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even add toffee bits and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
It’s an easy fall dessert to make because it only requires a handful of ingredients. It has classic pumpkin pie vibes and will leave pumpkin fans wanting more!
Oh my is this delicious! Made this today and wow! Buttery rich delicious goodness.. i would eat this any time of the year and will def make it again! Thank you for the recipe.
-Hope
What is Pumpkin Dump Cake?
A dump cake is known for ease because you dump ingredients into the cake pan. Most dump cake recipes are made in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Most dump cakes use either canned, frozen, or fresh fruit, fruit filling or canned pumpkin.
Dump cakes are known for sprinkling a box of dry cake mix over the ingredients in the pan and then adding melted butter on top of the cake mix.
It’s magical what happens inside the oven. Even I was like “Is this going to work??”
The result is a cobbler like dessert with pumpkin filling and cake mixed together! It’s not the type of cake you cut into neat squares, just scoop it onto your plate and eat!
You can eat it warm, at room temperature, or even cold… when it comes to this tasty dessert I’m not picky about the temperature!
Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake Ingredients
- pumpkin puree – not pumpkin pie filling
- evaporated milk
- light brown sugar
- eggs
- pumpkin pie spice
- yellow cake mix
- butter
- chopped pecans, optional
Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake Variations
Switch up the box of cake mix. In place of the yellow cake mix, use a box of white cake mix, vanilla, butter pecan, or french vanilla. For chocolate lovers, try chocolate fudge, devil’s food cake, or milk chocolate cake mix for a chocolate pumpkin dump cake!
Add chocolate chips. To add a chocolate twist, sprinkle 1 cup of chocolate chips over the cake before baking.
How to Make Pumpkin Dump Cake with Yellow Cake Mix
- In a large bowl combine the pumpkin puree, eggs, evaporated milk, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix well with a fork, spatula, or electric mixer.
- Pour the pumpkin mixture into a well buttered pan.
- Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over the pumpkin layer in the baking pan.
- Sprinkle pecans evenly on top of the cake mix.
- Drizzle the melted butter evenly on top of everything.
- Ta da! You’ll only have 3 items to clean – the mixing bowl, the cake pan, and a bowl or pot you used to melt the butter in.
How to Know When My Pumpkin Dump Cake is Done
Unlike traditional cakes, the toothpick method won’t work for a pumpkin dump cake recipe.
The top of the dump cake should look golden in color and look and feel like a “crust”, but once you break the the crust, the cake will be moist because of the pumpkin.
Rule of thumb: look for the top of the cake to be golden in color.
This Pumpkin Dump Cake recipe is Ryan’s favorite dessert in just about the whole wide world, so I made sure to save him an extra big piece before bringing it to bible study and pawning it off on neighbors and friends.
And some of you might be skeptical, but trust me there is nothing ‘dumpy’ about this cake, haha.. get it?
Can this recipe for Pumpkin Dump Cake be made ahead of time?
Yes, this is a great make ahead dessert. You can bake it the day before and store it covered in the fridge. I like to eat it cold, but you can warm it in the oven before serving if you like it extra cozy. The flavors deepen overnight which makes it perfect for holidays and gatherings.
How to store Pumpkin Dump Cake
To store leftovers, cover the pan with a lid, plastic wrap or scoop the leftovers into an airtight container.
To reheat the whole pan of dump cake, cover the dish with tin foil and warm at 350º F for 15 minutes or until warmed through.
To freeze, bake the cake in a freezer safe container. Allow it to cool completely then wrap the pan well in plastic then again in foil. Label and place in the freezer. To thaw place in the fridge overnight
Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe Pro Tips
- Use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- It’s okay if the melted butter doesn’t cover all of the cake mix!
- Use a spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix.
- This recipe turned out great using a box of gluten free yellow cake mix.
- If you bake this in a smaller pan, the baking time will need to be increased.
Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe FAQs
It’s important to remember that a dump cake isn’t like a traditional cake in terms of a light, fluffy texture. A dump cake is a mash up between a cake and a cobbler, where the layers separate into a filling and a crust. Because they contain a lot of moisture from the added fruit, the bottom layer (the filling) of the dump cake will be moist.
Even though it might seem odd, arranging ingredients in layers instead of mixing them is the secret to achieving a perfect dump cake that is crispy, crumbly, buttery on top with a soft, gooey inside.
If your dump cake has a powdery texture, it’s probably because the cake mix or butter wasn’t evenly spread. If you notice this happening while baking, you can use a spoon to spoon juice from the corners onto the dry spots and put it back in the oven.
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Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 15 oz canned pumpkin puree
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- 1 cup (213g) packed brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 15.25 oz yellow cake mix
- 1 cup (114g) chopped pecans
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Grease the bottom and sides of a 9×13 inch cake pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl combine the pumpkin, evaporated milk, brown sugar, eggs and pumpkin pie spice.15 oz canned pumpkin puree, 12 oz evaporated milk, 1 cup (213g) packed brown sugar, 3 large eggs, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- Whisk until combined. Pour this mixture into the greased pan.
- Sprinkle the cake mix powder on top of the batter as evenly as possible.15.25 oz yellow cake mix
- Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the batter.1 cup (114g) chopped pecans
- Pour the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake.1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the edges are browned and the center is set. A knife inserted in the middle should come out clean.
Video
Notes
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice (or cloves, if you prefer stronger spice)
Is there a specific reason to use a glass pan?
No, that’s just what I commonly use in my kitchen! You can bake this in a metal or ceramic pan.