Foolproof Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe: Autumn’s Sweet Treat

When autumn’s crisp breeze sweeps through, nothing beats a delightful pumpkin dump cake that promises pure comfort and warmth.

This rustic dessert combines the rich, velvety essence of seasonal spices with a buttery, crumbly topping that melts in your mouth.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a dessert that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening.

You’ll fall in love with the layers of sweet pumpkin custard and golden, crisp cake crumbles that make this recipe a standout.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of creamy and crunchy textures that will have everyone asking for seconds.

No fancy baking skills required – just mix, pour, and bake your way to dessert bliss.

Grab a fork and get ready to savor the quintessential taste of fall in one irresistible dish.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 340 kcal

Servings: 13

Pumpkin Dump Cake – What You Need

• Pumpkin Puree: Creamy autumn heart that brings rich, velvety texture and deep seasonal flavor.
• Evaporated Milk: Adds silky smoothness and helps create a luscious, custard-like consistency.
• Eggs: Binding magic that holds everything together with tender, fluffy structure.
• Sugar: Sweet foundation that balances the earthy pumpkin notes.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice that whispers cozy autumn memories.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Signature blend that delivers quintessential fall warmth and depth.

• Yellow Cake Mix: Convenient shortcut for creating a golden, crumbly topping with minimal effort.

• Butter: Liquid gold that creates a crispy, rich golden crust with irresistible buttery richness.
• Walnuts, Pecans: Crunchy crown that adds nutty texture and toasty warmth to the dessert.

Tools for Assembling Pumpkin Dump Cake

• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining pumpkin mixture ingredients smoothly.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Essential for creating the classic dump cake base.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Whisk or Spatula: Great for mixing pumpkin and milk ingredients evenly.
• Oven Mitts: Necessary for safe handling of hot baking dish.
• Sharp Knife: Handy for chopping nuts or slicing butter if needed.

Instructions for Pumpkin Dump Cake Simplicity

• Preparation Station

Warm up the oven and grab a spacious baking dish. This delightful dessert comes together faster than you can say “autumn magic”.

• Pumpkin Magic

Blend silky pumpkin with creamy milk, eggs, and warm spices until everything swirls together like a cozy dance. Pour this liquid gold into your waiting baking dish.

• Cake Layer Surprise

Shower the pumpkin base with dry cake mix, creating a blanket of sweet potential. Sprinkle extra spices for a flavor explosion that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Butter Transformation

Drizzle melted butter across the entire surface, allowing it to seep into every delicious crevice. This is where richness meets comfort.

• Nutty Finish

Scatter chopped nuts across the top, adding a delightful crunch that provides textural excitement.

• Baking Wonderland

Slide the dish into the hot oven and let it transform. Watch as golden edges emerge and aromas fill your kitchen with autumn’s essence.

• Serving Celebration

Pull out your masterpiece and top with a cloud of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Each bite promises pure seasonal bliss.

Flavor Tweaks for Pumpkin Dump Cake

• Replace walnuts or pecans with sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, or skip nuts entirely for nut-free diets.
• Use coconut milk instead of evaporated milk and dairy-free butter alternatives to create a delicious vegan version of this dessert.
• Experiment with adding ground ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom to boost the warm, complex flavor of the pumpkin base.
• Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs, toasted coconut flakes, or crushed gingersnap cookies on top for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
• Keep leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and reheat individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore that fresh-baked warmth and softness.

Pumpkin Dump Cake Serving Tips

• Cozy Autumn Dessert Companion: Pair this warm pumpkin dump cake with a steaming mug of spiced apple cider or rich caramel coffee for a delightful seasonal experience.
• Festive Holiday Presentation: Garnish individual slices with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of cinnamon-infused whipped cream, and a sprinkle of toasted pecans for an elegant thanksgiving or christmas gathering.
• Comforting Sweet Pairing: Complement the cake's rich flavors with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce, creating a decadent dessert that balances sweet and spicy notes perfectly.
• Breakfast Transformation: Transform leftover cake into a morning treat by warming a slice and serving alongside a hot cup of coffee or as a delightful addition to a weekend brunch spread.

How to Store Pumpkin Dump Cake Safely

• Fridge Freshness Strategy: Store leftover pumpkin dump cake in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other food flavors.
• Temperature Revival Technique: Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm the entire cake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore that just-baked texture and warmth.
• Freezer Backup Plan: Slice the cake into portions, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake remains delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Portion Control Hack: Cut the entire cake into individual servings before refrigerating or freezing. This method allows easy grab-and-go dessert options and prevents repeated temperature changes that could compromise the cake's quality.

Cozy Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Rich, comforting Pumpkin Dump Cake combines classic fall spices with buttery cake crumbles for an effortless dessert. Warm cinnamon and creamy pumpkin layers promise delightful indulgence when you crave homestyle sweetness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 30 oz (850 g) pumpkin puree
• 4 large eggs
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tsps ground cinnamon
• 2 tsps pumpkin pie spice
• 12 oz (340 ml) evaporated milk
• 1 cup (227 g) salted butter
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• Whipped cream, for serving
• Vanilla ice cream, for serving

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a 9×13-inch baking dish for the dessert.
2. Pumpkin Foundation: Whisk pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, ground cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice into a silky, harmonious mixture that promises rich autumn flavors.
3. Layer Creation: Spread the pumpkin blend evenly across the baking dish, creating a smooth, inviting base that will cradle the upcoming layers of flavor and texture.
4. Cake Mix Coverage: Uniformly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the pumpkin foundation, ensuring complete and consistent coverage that will transform into a golden, crumbly topping.
5. Butter and Nut Embellishment: Lavishly drizzle melted butter across the cake mix, then generously scatter chopped walnuts or pecans, allowing these elements to meld and create a rich, crunchy landscape.
6. Baking Transformation: Place the prepared dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour, watching for a deep golden-brown surface that signals a perfectly caramelized dessert.
7. Cooling and Serving: Remove from the oven, let the cake cool briefly, then serve warm with a graceful dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a delicate dusting of pumpkin spice for a sublime finishing flourish.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better integration of flavors.
• Butter Technique: Drizzle melted butter evenly to create a crispy, golden top that prevents dry cake edges and adds rich moisture.
• Nut Selection Matters: Choose fresh, high-quality walnuts or pecans for maximum crunch and depth of flavor; toast them lightly beforehand for enhanced nuttiness.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow cake to rest for 15-20 minutes after baking to help it set and make cutting cleaner and easier, preventing crumbly or messy slices.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 340
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg