Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake: The Ultimate Fall Dessert

Discover the magic of fall with this incredibly easy Pumpkin Dump Cake! Imagine a lusciously creamy, spiced pumpkin filling nestled beneath a golden, buttery crumble topping, generously studded with toasted pecans. This delightful dessert comes together in mere minutes, requiring minimal prep thanks to a convenient cake mix. It’s the perfect effortless treat for a cozy autumn evening or a show-stopping addition to your Thanksgiving feast. Serve it warm with a dollop of fluffy whipped cream or a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream for an unforgettable experience.

A vibrant slice of easy pumpkin dump cake, crowned with a swirl of fresh whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, ready to be enjoyed.

Rave Reviews for Our Pumpkin Dump Cake!

Gina says, “Made this today and it was absolutely delicious! The touch of brown sugar truly elevates this recipe above all others. This will be my go-to recipe from now on!”

Allison says, “So easy and incredibly delicious! I paired it with caramel pecan ice cream and a delicate drizzle of caramel sauce. Absolutely yummy!!”

CJ says, “What a great and simple recipe! I’ve prepared and served it countless times, and everyone always loves it!”

Among all the delightful autumn desserts, this Pumpkin Dump Cake stands out as one of the absolute easiest to prepare, yet it consistently ranks as a family favorite in our home. By utilizing a simple box of yellow cake mix combined with a handful of other basic ingredients, you can achieve a dessert that rivals the deep, comforting flavors of a traditional pumpkin pie—but with significantly less effort and time. Its swift preparation makes it an ideal choice for a spontaneous cozy fall evening treat, or when you need a reliable, crowd-plepleasing dessert for a bustling Thanksgiving gathering. Honestly, when I’m craving a Thanksgiving dessert that offers a wonderful alternative to pie, this recipe is my undisputed go-to. A generous swirl of fresh whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon transform it into the perfect, celebratory finish to any holiday meal.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake

If you’ve never made a dump cake before, prepare to be amazed by its simplicity and incredible flavor. The “dump” in dump cake refers to the effortless process of literally “dumping” all the ingredients into a baking dish without extensive mixing or multiple bowls. This particular pumpkin version is a revelation, combining the rich, earthy notes of pumpkin with the warm spices of autumn, all crowned with a cake-like topping that bakes into a crisp, golden crust. It’s a perfect solution for busy holidays or anytime you crave a homemade dessert without the fuss. It’s forgiving, versatile, and guarantees a delicious outcome every time.

The Secret to the Perfect Pumpkin Layer

The foundation of this amazing dump cake is its creamy, spiced pumpkin base. Unlike some recipes that might leave you with a thin, watery filling, this recipe ensures a rich and custardy texture. The combination of pure pumpkin purée, evaporated milk, and a blend of sugars creates a depth of flavor that is both sweet and subtly molasses-like from the brown sugar. The eggs act as a binder, giving the filling its smooth, set consistency, while pumpkin pie spice infuses it with those quintessential fall aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Remember, using pure pumpkin purée is crucial—pumpkin pie filling already contains spices and sweeteners, which would alter the delicate balance of this recipe.

Crafting the Irresistible Crumble Topping

The magic truly happens with the topping. What starts as a simple box of yellow cake mix transforms into a glorious, buttery, crumble-like crust when melted butter is drizzled over it during baking. The dry cake mix absorbs the butter, creating a delightful texture that is crunchy on the surface and slightly softer underneath, mimicking a streusel. The addition of finely chopped pecans introduces a wonderful nutty flavor and an extra layer of crunch, complementing the smooth pumpkin filling beautifully. The key is to distribute the cake mix and melted butter evenly, ensuring every bite has that perfect balance of textures.

Helpful Tips & Variations for Your Pumpkin Dump Cake

While this recipe is fantastic as written, a few tweaks can make it even more personalized or help you achieve perfect results every time:

Experiment with Different Cake Mix Flavors: Don’t limit yourself to yellow cake mix! Elevate the flavor profile by swapping it for a spiced cake mix to intensify the autumn notes, a butter pecan cake mix for an extra nutty dimension, or even a white cake mix for a slightly milder, more classic topping. Each variation offers a unique twist.
Adjust the Nuts (or Skip Them!): While toasted pecans add a delightful crunch and richness that I personally adore, feel free to adjust them to your preference. If you’re not a fan of pecans, you can easily omit them entirely for a smoother topping, or substitute them with other chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds for a different flavor profile.
Crucial Setting Time: This step cannot be emphasized enough! After removing the dump cake from the oven, it needs to stand for at least 30 minutes to cool and set properly. This cooling period allows the creamy pumpkin filling to firm up, ensuring clean, manageable slices. Cutting it too soon will result in a messy, liquidy dessert that falls apart on the plate. Patience is key for perfect presentation.
Consider a Bottom Pie Crust: For those who prefer a more traditional pie-like structure, adding a bottom pie crust to the dish is a fantastic option. If you choose to do this, make sure to par-bake the crust first before adding the pumpkin filling. This step is vital to ensure the crust cooks through completely and doesn’t become soggy from the moist pumpkin layer. A partially baked crust will guarantee a flaky, golden base.
Prevent Over-Browning: Ovens can vary significantly. Keep an eye on your dump cake towards the end of the baking time. If you notice the topping is browning too quickly before the filling is fully set, simply tent a piece of aluminum foil loosely over the pan for the remainder of the baking period. This protects the topping from burning while allowing the pumpkin layer to finish cooking.

5 out of 15 reviews

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Prep:

10

Cook:

55

Stand:

30

Total:

1 35

Servings:

12 servings

A slice of pumpkin dump cake topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon

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This easy Pumpkin Dump Cake features a creamy, pumpkin spice filling with a crumble topping and pecans. It comes together in minutes, with minimal prep. Enjoy topped with whipped cream for an effortless fall or Thanksgiving dessert!

See below the recipe card for step-by-step images.

Ingredients

29 ounces canned 100% pure pumpkin purée, (see note)
12 ounce can evaporated milk, (not sweetened condensed milk)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, store bought or homemade
1/2 teaspoon salt
13.25 ounce box yellow cake mix
1/2 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped
1 cup butter, melted
whipped cream, for serving

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the pumpkin purée, evaporated milk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined. Pour this delicious pumpkin mixture evenly into your prepared baking pan.
Carefully sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the entire surface of the pumpkin mixture. Follow this by scattering the finely chopped pecans over the cake mix layer.
Drizzle the melted butter uniformly over the top of the cake mix and pecans. Ensure that the butter covers as much of the dry cake mix as possible; this is crucial for creating that crispy, golden, and irresistible crumble topping.
Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the topping is beautifully golden brown and the pumpkin filling is set. If the topping starts to brown too quickly before the cake is fully cooked, loosely tent a piece of aluminum foil over the pan for the remaining baking time. (It’s a good idea to check around the 45-minute mark.)
Once baked, remove the dump cake from the oven and allow it to stand and cool for at least 30 minutes. This essential cooling period allows the pumpkin filling to properly set, making it much easier to slice and serve neatly.
Serve warm portions with a generous swirl of freshly piped whipped cream and a light dusting of ground cinnamon for an extra touch of flavor and elegance.

Recipe Video

A video demonstration for this Pumpkin Dump Cake recipe can be found here, showcasing each step for visual guidance.

Notes

*It is absolutely crucial to use regular canned 100% pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling already contains added spices and sweeteners, which will alter the intended flavor and texture of this recipe. If you prefer to use fresh, homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned, you will need approximately 3 and 1/3 cups to achieve the correct consistency and volume for the filling.

Nutrition

Nutritional information provided is an automatic calculation and may vary based on the specific brands and products you use, as well as any modifications made to the recipe. If precise nutritional values are important to you, we recommend calculating them independently using your exact ingredients.

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How to Make Pumpkin Dump Cake: A Visual Guide

Follow these simple steps with corresponding images to create your perfect Pumpkin Dump Cake:

All the ingredients for pumpkin dump cake laid out on a kitchen counter, including canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugars, eggs, cake mix, and pecans.

Step 1: Gather Ingredients & Preheat Oven. Begin by assembling all your necessary ingredients for easy access. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by greasing it.

A large mixing bowl filled with pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, sugars, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice, being whisked together until smooth.

Step 2: Prepare the Pumpkin Filling. In a sizable mixing bowl, combine the 29 oz. canned pumpkin purée, 12 oz. can evaporated milk, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, 3 large eggs, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, and ½ tsp salt. Whisk everything vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and evenly blended.

The smoothly whisked pumpkin mixture poured into a greased 9x13 inch baking pan, forming the base layer of the dump cake.

Step 3: Pour into Pan. Once your pumpkin mixture is perfectly smooth, transfer it into the prepared 9×13 inch baking pan, spreading it out into an even layer to form the delectable base of your dump cake.

Dry yellow cake mix being sprinkled over the pumpkin filling in the baking pan, followed by a scattering of chopped pecans.

Step 4: Add the Crumble Topping. Evenly sprinkle the contents of the 13.25-ounce box of yellow cake mix over the pumpkin filling. Then, distribute ½ cup of finely chopped pecans over the dry cake mix layer.

Melted butter being drizzled over the cake mix and pecan topping in the baking pan, preparing it for baking.

Step 5: Drizzle Butter & Bake. Generously drizzle 1 cup of melted butter across the entire surface, making sure it covers as much of the dry cake mix as possible to ensure a crispy, golden brown finish. Bake in your preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 55 to 60 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is set.
Step 6: Cool Before Serving. After baking, let the dump cake cool and stand for at least 30 minutes. This allows the creamy pumpkin layer to properly set, making it much easier to slice into neat, individual portions. Enjoy your perfectly baked pumpkin treat!

A warm, baked pumpkin dump cake in the pan, ready to be sliced and served, showcasing its golden crumble topping.

Proper Storage and Reheating Tips

To keep your Pumpkin Dump Cake fresh and delicious, any leftovers should be covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. It will maintain its wonderful flavor and texture for up to 5 days. For the best enjoyment, I highly recommend warming individual slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds before serving. While stored in the fridge for several days, the pumpkin layer may naturally loosen slightly, but rest assured, its delightful taste will remain just as fantastic. I do not recommend freezing this dessert, as the texture of both the pumpkin filling and the cake topping can degrade upon thawing.

Serving Suggestions to Elevate Your Pumpkin Dump Cake

While the aroma of this pumpkin dump cake right out of the oven is undeniably tempting, remember that crucial cooling period! It truly needs to cool for a minimum of 30 minutes once it comes out of the oven. This allows the creamy filling to fully set, preventing it from collapsing into a delicious but messy puddle on your plate when you try to slice it. Once properly set, it’s ready for its finishing touches.

For an extra touch of indulgence, I love to top each warm slice with a generous swirl of freshly piped homemade whipped cream, followed by a light dusting of ground cinnamon or a tiny sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice for added visual appeal and aromatic warmth. Alternatively, a decadent scoop of vanilla bean ice cream melting slightly over the warm cake is an absolute dream. For an even more luxurious treat, consider adding a drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of candied pecans right before serving.

More Easy Thanksgiving Desserts (That Aren’t Pie):

Looking for other simple yet impressive desserts for your fall gatherings or Thanksgiving table that offer a delightful change from traditional pie? Explore these equally effortless and delicious options:

Classic Apple Crisp
Warm Apple Cobbler
Simple and Comforting Cinnamon Cake
Quick and Easy Cranberry Fluff Salad
Rich Sticky Toffee Pudding

We truly hope you enjoy this incredibly delicious and easy Pumpkin Dump Cake recipe! We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please be sure to give it a review below! For more inspiring recipes and culinary adventures, remember to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!