PUMPKIN DUMP CAKE is an EASY pumpkin recipe that will quickly become your go-to fall dessert! It’s made with yellow cake mix, which is a great shortcut.
Love Pumpkin Recipes? Try my Pumpkin Roll and my Pumpkin Scones!
Pumpkin Dump Cake Is Going To Be Your Go-To Fall Dessert!
This easy dump cake recipe has been my most requested with friends and family and most popular recipe with readers. It’s a classic with an unfortunate name, “dump cake”. I published this recipe way back in 2011 and it has continued to be my most beloved fall recipe. It’s a lot like a pumpkin cobbler, but it’s made with super easy ingredients and a lot of butter. The dry cake mix you add on top creates a buttery, sweet crumble topping on top of the silky pumpkin. This is a MUST MAKE!
What is a Dump Cake?
I know you have heard of dump cake before. It was a recipe that became popular in the 80’s by church cookbooks and potlucks…my mom made them and so did my grandma. You basically dump in a few cans of fruit in a pan and cover it with cake mix and butter and bake it. This is the same idea, only adios fruit and hola pumpkin.
It’s a pumpkin dump cake recipe with yellow cake mix, evaporated milk and a few other easy ingredient. AND I made a Pumpkin Dump Cake VIDEO to show you just how easy it is!
Pumpkin Dump Cake Ingredients:
- Pure Pumpkin. Don’t get the pumpkin pie filling that is also sold in cans. This is 100% pumpkin. The brand Libby’s is readily available year round!
- Evaporated Milk. Make sure you don’t use sweetened condensed milk!
- Light brown sugar
- Eggs
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Yellow cake mix
- Melted butter
- Coarsely crushed graham crackers. Or you can use chopped pecans if you like nuts!
- Toffee Bits. This is TOTALLY optional. I used to use toffee bits every time I made this pumpkin cake, but I sometimes have a hard time finding them so I make it without them too. Adding them adding a sweet toffee flavor in the topping, but it’s not necessary!
How To Make Pumpkin Dump Cake/Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl combine the can of pumpkin puree , evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir to combine and pour into your prepared pan.
- Sprinkle the entire box of dry cake mix on top, followed by your nuts or graham crackers and toffee chips.
- Pour your melted butter evenly on top.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until center is set and edges are lightly browned.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Variations:
This recipe is pretty perfect on its own, but there are little switches you can make it you fond yourself without an ingredient or just want to try something different!
- Use a different flavor cake! I have had so many readers say they use spice cake mix instead of the yellow, vanilla or white cake mix and have enjoyed it. If you do this you can probably omit the pumpkin pie spice, since the cake mix is already spiced!
- As I wrote in the recipe I use chopped graham crackers in the crumble topping for this cake to give a sweet crunch. But if you like nuts you can absolutely swap out the cracker for pecans!
- If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice you can use a mix of cinnamon, ginger, and ground cloves.
- Add in some chopped granny smith apples to make this an apple pumpkin dessert.
How To Reheat Dump Cake:
If you’re not serving this to a crowd, you might find yourself with a little leftover. I cover it airtight and pop it in the fridge. To reheat, I usually just scoop out a slice, pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds or so until it’s warmed through. Note that when this is reheated it loses a little of the crunch on top from the crumble topping, but it’s still equally delicious!
You could also reheat this in the oven at 350°F for 10 – 15 minutes.
I have never made this and frozen it, but it’s absolutely possible. Cover airtight and freeze for up to 30 days for best freshness. Allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator and then reheat in the oven as stated above.
Don’t forget to tag me and use the hashtag #cookiesandcups if you post you pictures on social media!
PrintPumpkin Dump Cake
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: serves 12 1x
- Category: Cake
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Dessert
Description
Pumpkin Dump Cake is an easy fall dessert that starts with yellow cake mix! So delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 (15 ounce) can pure Pumpkin
- 1 (10 ounce) can Evaporated Milk
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter melted
- 1 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers or pecans
- 1/2 cup toffee bits (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl combine the pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir to combine and pour into your prepared pan.
- Sprinkle the entire box of cake mix on top, followed by your nuts or graham crackers and toffee chips.
- Pour your melted butter evenly on top.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until center is set and edges are lightly browned.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
serve with ice cream or whipped cream
Store airtight in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 461
- Sugar: 35.3 g
- Sodium: 395 mg
- Fat: 21.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 62.1 g
- Protein: 6.5 g
- Cholesterol: 88 mg
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My grandma and mom have made this for years! one of my favs, we call it pumpkin please
Instead of a yellow cake mix, what about using a spice cake mix with the pumpkin?..Im a pumpkin addict myself…
Wondering if you can make part of this ahead of time? I want to serve it warm but am bringing to a friends house. Any thoughts?
Trust me, it’s just as good at room temperature as it is warm 🙂
Hi~
Happy Thanksgiving! In the oven now, do I have to refrigerate to serve tomorrow or can I cover and leave on the counter.
Thank you!
Mary Kyae
Cover and leave on the counter!
Sounds Yummy have to try it!
This sounds so delicious. I find myself with everything in the cupboard except the yellow cake 🙁 I wonder if Spice cake would work? Thanks for sharing the recipe – I haven’t thought about dump cakes since I was a kid attending church potluck dinners!
I think I’m going to make this this weekend….. I’m thinking quick oats on top instead of nuts. 🙂
Made 2 of these for a church group tonight and everyone loved it! Plus I made them gluten free!
Making this for the 2nd time tonight! It was a huge hit the first time I made it for work. Thanks for an awesome recipe!
Awesome! It’s so good and so dangerous!
Hi! Your writing of this blog post cracks me up. I’m same way! I don’t like pumpkin pie (def. texture thing!) and I despise nuts in my food. Ha! This cake sounds delicious. I’m back on the Weight Watchers band wagon right now…. perhaps for my next splurge I’ll indulge in this. Pinned to save for later!
My family has a similar recipe, only we call it Pumpkin Pie Cake! We don’t usually put the extra bits on the top part before the butter, though.