Alright, friend—let’s talk about something near and dear to my heart (and probably my taste buds): Pumpkin Dump Cake. Yeah, I know, the name isn’t exactly glamorous. “Dump” and “cake” in the same sentence? Sounds a little sketchy, right? But hear me out… because this is one of those lazy-day desserts that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen when, in reality, you barely broke a sweat.
Spoiler alert: If you love pumpkin pie but wish it had a buttery, crunchy, cake-y twist—this recipe is about to become your new BFF. 😉
What Is a Pumpkin Dump Cake Anyway?
Ever wondered what happens when pumpkin pie meets coffee cake and they have a crumbly golden-brown baby? Well, voilà—you get Pumpkin Dump Cake.
It’s called a dump cake because—brace yourself—you literally dump all the ingredients into a baking dish and let the oven work its magic. There’s no mixer, no fancy layering, and almost no effort involved.
I mean, could dessert get any easier?
Why You’ll Fall in Love With This Recipe
Let me put it this way: if autumn had a flavor profile, this cake would be it. And IMO, it totally beats pumpkin pie. Here’s why:
- Ridiculously easy to make – Like, easier than convincing a toddler to eat candy.
- Perfectly spiced and cozy – Think cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves—aka fall in a pan.
- Buttery cake topping with a little crunch – You get that soft pumpkin base with a golden, buttery, cake-mix crust. Texture heaven.
- Crowd-pleaser – Whether it’s Friendsgiving, a cozy Sunday dinner, or just a Tuesday night with your couch and Netflix, this cake delivers.
Ingredients You’ll Need (Don’t Worry—It’s Basic)
No need for weird specialty items. If your pantry has seen any baking action this year, you probably have most of this stuff already.
For the pumpkin base:
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling—let’s not get crazy)
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the topping:
- 1 box (about 15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional but sooo good)
FYI: If you wanna go full-on decadent, toss some toffee bits or chocolate chips on top too. I won’t judge. 😏
Step-By-Step Instructions
Let’s keep this simple, shall we?
Step 1: Preheat That Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease up a 9×13-inch baking dish like your life depends on it.
Step 2: Make the Pumpkin Base
In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. You’re basically making a pumpkin pie filling here. It should look smooth and smell like a fall candle exploded.
Pour that mixture evenly into your baking dish.
Step 3: Dump the Cake Mix
Yep. Grab your dry cake mix and evenly sprinkle it over the top of the pumpkin mixture. Don’t mix it. I repeat: DO NOT MIX IT. That’s the whole “dump” part, remember?
Step 4: Add Melted Butter
Drizzle the melted butter all over the top. Try to cover as much of the cake mix as possible. Gaps = dry patches. We don’t want that.
Step 5: Add Nuts (Optional But Recommended)
Sprinkle on those chopped nuts for a satisfying crunch. They toast up beautifully in the oven and make everything feel just a bit more gourmet.
Step 6: Bake
Pop it in the oven for 50–60 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly and the middle has set.
Pro tip: If the top starts browning too fast, just throw a piece of foil over it around the 45-minute mark.
Can I Make It Ahead of Time?
Absolutely. In fact, it gets even better after a few hours. Let it cool, then refrigerate it. Serve it chilled, at room temp, or warmed up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Or heck—just eat it cold with a fork straight out of the pan. No judgment here.
Variations to Try (Because Why Not?)
Feeling fancy? Bored with the usual? Here are a few fun twists:
Spice Cake Dump Cake
Swap the yellow cake mix with spice cake mix for even more fall flavor.
Cream Cheese Swirl
Dollop some sweetened cream cheese on top of the pumpkin base before adding the cake mix for a tangy surprise layer.
Chocolate Chip Surprise
Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top of the cake mix before the butter drizzle. Because chocolate makes everything better, duh.
Pumpkin Dump Cake vs Pumpkin Pie: Which Wins?
Okay, I know this is controversial, but… IMO? Pumpkin Dump Cake wins. Every time.
Why?
- Texture: It’s got that custardy pumpkin base like pie, but the buttery topping adds a crunchy dimension.
- Ease: No pie crust. No rolling. No praying it doesn’t shrink in the oven.
- Flavor: The sweet and spiced pumpkin base, buttery cake crust, and optional nutty crunch—it hits all the right notes.
Still love pumpkin pie? That’s cool. Just don’t knock the dump cake until you try it.
Storing & Serving Tips
Let’s be real—this cake doesn’t usually last long. But if you do have leftovers:
- Fridge: Store it covered for up to 4–5 days.
- Freezer: Yep, it freezes well! Just wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: A quick zap in the microwave or a few minutes in a warm oven does the trick.
Serve with:
- Vanilla ice cream (obviously)
- Whipped cream
- A drizzle of caramel sauce if you’re feeling extra
Or just a fork. Whatever works.
Final Thoughts: Is This the Best Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe?
In my totally biased, cake-obsessed opinion? Heck yes.
It’s got the flavor of fall, the ease of a boxed mix, and the magic of minimal effort—aka the holy trifecta of cozy desserts.
So next time you’ve got a can of pumpkin collecting dust in your pantry, skip the pie. Whip up this dump cake instead. You’ll get rave reviews, minimal cleanup, and possibly a marriage proposal or two. (Okay, maybe not, but you will impress your dinner guests.)
Related Recipes:
Final Word
If you’ve made it this far, I’m guessing you’re either:
- Already preheating your oven (bless you)
- Or bookmarking this recipe for later (smart move)
Either way, don’t overthink it. Dump, drizzle, bake, devour. Simple as that. 🙂
Got a twist on this recipe? Or a dump cake horror story? Hit me up—I’m always down to talk desserts.
Happy baking! 🎃✨
