This easy Pumpkin Dump Cake recipe is the perfect fall dessert! Simply dump pumpkin puree, a box of yellow cake mix, pumpkin pie spice, pecans, and a few basic cake ingredients into a pan, bake in the oven, and you’ll have this deliciously moist cake ready to go!

A piece of pumpkin dump cake topped with a scoop of ice cream.

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Why We Love This Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe

A dump cake is hands-down the easiest type of cake to make, and this pumpkin version is no different. It takes just 5 minutes to prep and it comes out of the oven wonderfully gooey and moist. The buttered pecan topping might just be my favorite part!

Variations on Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake

You can make this easy pumpkin dump-and-bake cake with other flavors of cake mix, like spiced, chocolate, or white. And if you don’t have evaporated milk, half-and-half also works well. Try adding some caramel or butterscotch chips on top for even more flavor!

A plate of pumpkin cake with ice cream, surrounded by ingredients.
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How to Store and Reheat 

Store leftover pumpkin dump cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let come to room temperature before enjoying.

How to Freeze 

Freeze dump cake whole or cut into individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this pumpkin pie dump cake with a dollop of whipped cream (or pumpkin spice whipped cream) or a scoop of pumpkin ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

A partially-eaten piece of pumpkin pie dump cake on a plate.

More Pumpkin Cake Recipes To Try

Recipe Card

Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe

4.79 from 38 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 12 slices
Author: Becky Hardin
A plate topped with a piece of cake and ice cream.
A pumpkin pie flavored filling, moist cake, and buttered pecan topping come together in this easy dump-and-bake cake!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 29-30 ounces pumpkin puree 822-850 grams (1 large can)
  • 12 ounces evaporated milk 340 grams (1 can)
  • ¾ cup brown sugar 160 grams
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 6 grams
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 large eggs 150 grams
  • 15.25 ounces yellow cake mix 432 grams (1 box)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans 114 grams
  • ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, melted (1 stick)

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    A bowl of ingredients for a pumpkin pie.
  • Whisk the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt together until smooth.
    29-30 ounces pumpkin puree, 12 ounces evaporated milk, ¾ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    A bowl filled with mashed sweet potatoes and spices.
  • Add in the eggs and whisk until combined.
    3 large eggs
    A bowl with eggs in it and a whisk.
  • Pour the pumpkin mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
  • Sprinkle the cake mix over the pumpkin mixture. Then, sprinkle the pecans over the cake mix.
    15.25 ounces yellow cake mix, 1 cup chopped pecans
    A person pouring flour into a baking dish.
  • Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix.
    ½ cup unsalted butter
    An egg is being poured into a baking dish.
  • Bake in the oven for 50-55 minutes. Check the cake at 30 minutes and cover with foil if it’s beginning to brown.
    A casserole dish filled with pecans and oats.
  • Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • Resist the urge to stir this dump cake; it will ruin the texture!
Storage: Store pumpkin dump cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving: 1sliceCalories: 396kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 7gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 415mgPotassium: 321mgFiber: 3gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 11040IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 197mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!
Can you substitute pumpkin pie filling for pumpkin puree?

I do not recommend substituting pie filling for puree. Pumpkin pie filling includes sweetener and spices already, so it will make this cake too sweet.

Is dump cake supposed to be runny?

Dump cake should not be runny, but it will set up gooeyer than a traditional cake. It has a consistency similar to a cobbler.

What happens if you stir a dump cake?

Layering the ingredients is the trick to ensuring a crusty, crumbly, buttery top, and a gooey interior. If you mix them together, it will change the whole consistency of the cake.

How to Make Pumpkin Dump Cake Step by Step

Mix the Wet Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Whisk a 29- or 30-ounce can of pumpkin puree, a 12-ounce can of evaporated milk, ¾ of brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt together until smooth.

A mixing bowl filled with pumpkin dump cake ingredients.

Add the Eggs: Add in 3 large eggs and whisk until combined.

Whisking eggs into a bowl of cake batter.

Sprinkle the Cake Mix: Next, pour the pumpkin mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking pan, then sprinkle 15.25 ounces (1 box) of cake mix over the pumpkin mixture. Then sprinkle 1 cup of chopped pecans over the cake mix.

A person pouring cake mix over a pan filled with cake batter.

Drizzle the Butter: Drizzle ½ cup of unsalted melted butter evenly over the cake mix and pecans.

Melted butter is being poured on top of a cake topped with pecans.

Bake the Pumpkin Dump Cake: Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes. Check the cake at 30 minutes, and cover with foil if it’s beginning to brown. Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Overhead view of a baked cake with a pecan toppings.

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.79 from 38 votes (31 ratings without comment)
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22 Comments
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Kimberly Patton
Kimberly Patton
November 7, 2024 3:09 pm

I had this today at a church dinner..SIMPLY FANTASTIC! They lady who made it said it was a “dump ” cake and toe it tasted line she spent hours making it! Ony list for Thansgiving desserts!5 stars

Anne
Anne
November 1, 2024 3:01 pm

Can you make it in a Bundt pan? Looking for a pumpkin Bundt cake recipe.

Samantha Marceau
November 12, 2024 8:43 am
Reply to  Anne

Hi Anne, we have not tried that but please let us know your results if you do!

Dena
Dena
January 25, 2024 1:02 am

Awesome cake! Forgive the question if the answer is already in this post… how many servings per cake?4 stars

Samantha Marceau
January 25, 2024 8:28 am
Reply to  Dena

Hi Dena, this cake serves 12!

Dena
Dena
January 26, 2024 6:59 pm

Thank you!

Judie Gee
Judie Gee
November 21, 2023 11:31 am

My grand daughter Abby has Celiac’s Disease. She can eat no gluten or else she becomes very ill. Hospital ill! She will love this! Thank you for this recipe! ❤️5 stars

Samantha Marceau
November 21, 2023 11:46 am
Reply to  Judie Gee

This recipe works great with gluten-free cake mix! Enjoy!

Ann
Ann
November 11, 2023 1:41 pm

How can I make this dairy free? I have plant based butter. Would canned coconut milk work for evaporated?

Samantha Marceau
November 13, 2023 9:10 am
Reply to  Ann

You would need to use evaporated coconut milk!

Rose
Rose
November 10, 2023 7:39 pm

I made this exactly as recipe called. It is delicious.4 stars

Samantha Marceau
November 13, 2023 9:12 am
Reply to  Rose

We’re so happy to hear you loved it, Rose!

Denise
Denise
November 10, 2023 11:40 am

I baked this cake today. I didn’t have yellow cake mix so I use spice cake mix and I mixed it all together and baked it with pecans. Delicious yum.5 stars

Samantha Marceau
November 10, 2023 1:11 pm
Reply to  Denise

We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed it, Denise!

Tara
Tara
November 10, 2023 1:54 am

If you can’t have nuts, can you substitute pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for the pecans?

Samantha Marceau
November 10, 2023 9:07 am
Reply to  Tara

Sure!

Clarissa
Clarissa
November 9, 2023 11:40 pm

Hello! I was wondering if you’re suppose to make the cake mix first THEN put it over the pumpkin puree or do you just sprinkle the cake mix dry?5 stars

Samantha Marceau
November 10, 2023 9:07 am
Reply to  Clarissa

This is a dump cake, so you just dump everything in the pan and bake!

Bee
Bee
November 10, 2023 12:58 pm
Reply to  Clarissa

You sprinkle it dry over the pumpkin mixture.

Sean
Sean
November 9, 2023 9:14 pm

Came out absolutely delicious! Lite and fluffy almost like a pumpkin souffle/custard. The cake and pecan topping was crunchy and adds the perfect texture (almost like a creme brulee topping). Only variation I made was using a baked sugar pumpkin leftover from Halloween and used salted butter on top. Will definitely be making this again.

Samantha Marceau
November 10, 2023 9:08 am
Reply to  Sean

We’re so happy to hear you loved this cake, Sean!