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Pumpkin Dump Cake

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!

EPIC Pumpkin Dump Cake! My most requested dessert of the fall!

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!
EPIC Pumpkin Dump Cake! My most requested dessert of the fall!

How To Make Pumpkin Dump Cake/Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. Sprinkle the entire box of dry cake mix on top, followed by your nuts or graham crackers and toffee chips.
  4. Pour your melted butter evenly on top.
  5. Bake for 45-50 minutes until center is set and edges are lightly browned.
  6. Serve warm or at room temperature.
EPIC Pumpkin Dump Cake! My most requested dessert of the fall!

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!

  1. 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!
  2. 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!
  3. If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice you can use a mix of cinnamon, ginger, and ground cloves.
  4. Add in some chopped granny smith apples to make this an apple pumpkin dessert.
EPIC Pumpkin Dump Cake! My most requested dessert of the fall!

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!

Print
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Pumpkin Dump Cake with a scoop of ice cream and caramel sauce!

Pumpkin Dump Cake

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 34 reviews
  • Author: Cookies & Cups
  • 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

Scale
  • 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

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl combine the pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir to combine and pour into your prepared pan.
  3. Sprinkle the entire box of cake mix on top, followed by your nuts or graham crackers and toffee chips.
  4. Pour your melted butter evenly on top.
  5. Bake for 45-50 minutes until center is set and edges are lightly browned.
  6. 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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313 comments on “Pumpkin Dump Cake”

  1. Absolutely fabulous. If heaven has a taste, this is it! I’m taking some to work tomorrow. This will buy me some brownie points for at least a month (evaluations are coming up . . . )!






  2. Made this dessert for a progressive dinner we had with our neighbors and it was a hit. I didn’t measure the pecans or toffee bits, but just sprinkled them liberally over the top. It made a nice crust over the top that added a lovely crunch. Everyone loved it! Even my hubby who is not a pumpkin fan, unless it’s a savory dish, raved about it and ate his whole piece. Will keep this recipe and make it for Thanksgiving!






  3. Here’s the deal. I’ve not made pumpkin dump, yet. However when I do, I will add the nuts to the batter for some reason.

  4. Renata CURRAN

    Made the dump cake and am adding 7 mins to the bake time. Yellow cake is on top and is still in the powder form except for around the edges. Not excited about eating yellow cake box mix. What went wrong?

  5. Oh My Gosh!!!!! Made this yesterday and Oh My Gosh!!!!! Literally the best pumpkin dessert I’ve ever had. I followed recipe to a T and used pecans because YUM!! We topped it with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of salted caramel. Seriously heaven.






  6. I made this and everyone loved it, including me. I put nuts on half of it, as I had company that did not like nuts.

    I used the toffee chips and graham cracker crumbs. Really wonderful.

  7. I have never had a Pumpkin Dump cake before, but after coming across your recipe for it I will be making it this weekend for my family.






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