Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe

Easy pumpkin pie dump cake is baked in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and uses simple ingredients that are “dumped” in together. Spice cake mix, canned pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, and crunchy pecans create a fall dessert that’s excellent for dinner parties, Thanksgiving, and fall entertaining.

dump caked served in 3 glass coupes on gray tray on white table

I’ve been making this pumpkin dump cake recipe for years because it’s so easy and delicious. I love serving it for Thanksgiving, a Christmas dinner party, and of course, Friendsgiving.

Pumpkin Dump Cake with Spice Cake Mix

It starts with canned pumpkin, and I add pumpkin pie spice for more depth. The pie-like filling is moist and subtly sweet, and the ideal base for the crumble topping.

The topping is my favorite part as it combines boxed cake mix, crunchy pecans, and rich butter baked to perfection. I use spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix so it really has warming fall flavors.

pecan topped cake in 9 x 13 glass dish with gold napkin on white table

Easy Fall Dessert

Pumpkin desserts are not just for Thanksgiving. It’s the perfect ingredient to serve throughout fall and winter, and it is most certainly comfort food.

pumpkin dump cake in glass baking dish with scoops taken out

Ingredients

  • Canned pure pumpkin – do not use pumpkin pie filling for this.
  • Sweetened condensed milk – I always use the fat free version but either is fine.
  • Eggs – large eggs are the golden standard. Let them sit at room temperature to warm up before using so they integrate easier and cook evenly.
  • Pumpkin pie spice – If you don’t have this on hand, just combine 1 teaspoon of each: ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger and ground cloves.
  • Spice Cake Mix – I use Betty Crocker but any brand will work. The box size I use is 15.25 ounces, but if you can only find the 13.25-oz. size it should still work for the topping.
  • Chopped pecans – I also like to keep a few whole ones to decorate the top.
  • Butter – use unsalted butter for this recipe.
  • Whipped topping or ice cream to garnish

Substitutions

Change up the cake mix in order to get a different combination. These flavors compliment the pumpkin filling well.

  • Carrot cake mix
  • Chocolate cake mix
  • Yellow or white cake mix

Directions

Use a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and simple ingredients to make this recipe.

  1. Heat the oven and spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
baking ingredients on marble table
dump cake read to go in oven
  1. Use a large mixing bowl and combine pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice together and pour into the baking dish.
  2. Sprinkle dry cake mix over the pumpkin pie mixture, and sprinkle with pecans. Drizzle melted butter all over the top of the dessert, and bake for about 50 minutes or until center test comes out clean.

Place on a wire rack to cool slightly and serve warm, OR let it set for at least 30 minutes so it’s firmer to cut into clean squares.

Tips & Storage

  • You can add thinly sliced pats of butter all over the top instead of melting it first.
  • Cover and refrigerate any leftovers. They should last for about 4 days.
  • Reheat a single portion in the microwave at 30 second intervals, until warmed through.
single stem glass with dump cake inside with whip cream

How to Serve Dump Cake

  • You can cut the cake into squares and serve it on a plate, or use a large spoon to scoop it into small bowls.
  • Serve this dump cake to guests in stem coupe glasses or compote dishes for a more elegant presentation.
  • Top with thawed Cool Whip, homemade whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream.
  • Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or nutmeg on top.

PARTY TIP: Use mini bakers to cook individual dump cakes. Reduce baking time to 30 minutes.

dump cake with spoon inside
dessert in stemmed glass

More Pumpkin Recipes

There are an array of pumpkin recipes to choose from including sweet, savory, and cocktails.

  • If you prefer a more classic dessert for holiday meals, check out my easy pumpkin pie recipe. It’s another tried and true favorite!
  • My 4-layer pumpkin cake is a showstopper and a great dessert for entertaining.
  • Another dessert centerpiece idea is a Thanksgiving trifle that’s got layers of cake and pumpkin cream.
  • Make the easiest pumpkin ice cream to serve on the side or as a dessert on it’s own.
  • If you want a savory option, curried pumpkin soup is a rich and delicious recipe.

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pumpkin dump cake served in glass coupe with whipped cream on top

Pumpkin Dump Cake recipe

Yield: 10 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Easy dump cake with canned pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, spice cake mix, and pumpkin pie spice baked in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Perfect dessert for fall dinner parties and Thanksgiving entertaining.

Ingredients

  • 1 can (15-ounce) pumpkin
  • 1 can (14-ounce) Fat Free sweetened condensed milk
  • 3 large eggs
  • 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 box Spice Cake Mix
  • 1 ½ cups finely chopped pecans
  • 1 ½ sticks (¾ cup) butter, melted
  • Whipped topping and/or ice cream to garnish

Instructions

    1. Heat oven to 350º F, and spray a large (9 x 13) baking dish with nonstick spray.
    2. Combine pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice together with a whisk, until smooth. Pour into baking dish.
    3. Sprinkle dry cake mix over the pumpkin mixture, and sprinkle with pecans.
    4. Pour melted butter all over the top of the dessert, and Bake for about 50 minutes or until center test comes out clean.
    5. Place on a wire rack to cool slightly.
    6. Serve with whipped topping or ice cream and enjoy!
    7. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers.

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6 Comments

  1. I made this for my family and it was a total hit! It was gone in a few days with my small family of 4. My “picky” boy even ate it up. I am trying it today with sugar free cake. I hope it tastes as good. Thank you for posting! Jean

  2. Just pinned this! When the diet is over I will definitely make this for an event. I’ve always wanted to try dump cake because it looks so simple.

  3. Looks delicious! I recently realized how much I love bakeing with pumpkin and would definitely give this recipe a try.
    Thanks for sharing

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