Pumpkin Dump Cake (Printable)
Spiced pumpkin layer topped with yellow cake mix, butter and pecans for a cozy, shareable autumn dessert.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pumpkin Layer
01 - 1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin puree
02 - 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
03 - 3 large eggs
04 - 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
05 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Cake & Topping
07 - 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
08 - 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
09 - 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan thoroughly.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, granulated sugar, and salt until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
03 - Pour the prepared pumpkin mixture evenly into the greased baking pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
04 - Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix in an even layer over the pumpkin mixture. Do not stir or mix.
05 - Slowly drizzle the melted unsalted butter over the entire surface, aiming to cover as much of the cake mix as possible.
06 - Scatter the chopped pecans over the top of the cake, if using.
07 - Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the surface is golden brown and the center is set. The dessert will continue to firm as it cools.
08 - Allow to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve warm or chilled with optional whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It’s a save-the-day dessert that leaves you extra time for friends or flopping on the couch.
- Every scoop offers surprise layers: creamy pumpkin below, crisp and buttery crunch above.
02 -
- Mistakenly stirring the cake mix into the pumpkin makes the top cakey instead of crispy, so just sprinkle and leave it be.
- I discovered melting the butter fully and drizzling, not glopping, means fewer dry patches up top.
03 -
- When you drizzle the butter, aim for thin streams all over—bigger rivers will leave dry patches or greasy spots.
- Sneak in a bit of nutmeg or extra pumpkin spice to the cake mix topping for deeper autumnal flavor.