🎃 Pumpkin Dump Cake
An irresistibly easy fall dessert made with pumpkin puree, warm pumpkin spice, buttery spice cake mix, and fluffy whipped cream.
This cozy dump cake requires almost no mixing and comes together with just a handful of ingredients. The pumpkin creates a soft, custardy layer underneath a golden, buttery spice-cake topping.
⏱️ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Bake Time: 45–55 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: 10–12
Difficulty: Very Easy
Method: Oven-Baked
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) spice cake mix
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) pumpkin puree
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup evaporated milk, optional, for a softer pumpkin layer
- Whipped cream, for serving
Optional Toppings
- Ground cinnamon
- Chopped pecans
- Caramel sauce
- Vanilla ice cream
- Powdered sugar
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
2. Make the Pumpkin Layer
In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice.
If using evaporated milk, stir it in until smooth.
Spread the pumpkin mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
3. Add the Cake Mix
Sprinkle the dry spice cake mix evenly over the entire pumpkin layer.
Do not prepare the cake mix according to the box directions.
The dry cake mix is used exactly as it comes from the package.
Try to distribute it as evenly as possible so there aren’t large dry pockets after baking.
4. Add the Butter
Slowly drizzle the melted butter evenly over the entire surface of the dry cake mix.
Aim to cover as much of the cake mix as possible.
For an especially buttery topping, make sure the butter reaches the edges and corners of the pan.
5. Bake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until:
- The top is golden brown.
- The cake mix has formed a crisp, buttery topping.
- The pumpkin layer is mostly set.
- The center has only a slight jiggle.
If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover the cake with foil during the final 10–15 minutes.
6. Cool Slightly
Remove the dump cake from the oven and let it rest for 15–20 minutes before serving.
The pumpkin layer will continue to firm as it cools.
🍦 7. Serve
Spoon the warm pumpkin dump cake into bowls.
Top generously with whipped cream.
For an extra-special dessert, add a drizzle of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of cinnamon or chopped pecans.
⭐ Chef’s Tips
Don’t Mix the Layers
The beauty of a dump cake is the layering. Resist the temptation to stir everything together.
Spread the Cake Mix Evenly
Uneven cake mix can leave dry spots. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to gently distribute it across the pumpkin.
Drizzle the Butter Carefully
Try to cover as much of the cake mix as possible with melted butter. This helps create the golden, crisp topping.
Use Pure Pumpkin
Make sure you’re using plain pumpkin puree, not canned pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling already contains sugar and spices.
Let It Rest
Allowing the cake to sit for 15–20 minutes makes the pumpkin layer easier to scoop while keeping the topping pleasantly crisp.
🎃 Easy Variations
Pecan Pumpkin Dump Cake
Sprinkle ¾ cup chopped pecans over the cake mix before drizzling with butter.
Caramel Pumpkin
Drizzle ½ cup caramel sauce over the pumpkin layer before adding the cake mix.
Chocolate Pumpkin
Use chocolate cake mix instead of spice cake mix for a chocolate-pumpkin combination.
Apple Pumpkin
Add 1½ cups peeled, diced apples over the pumpkin layer before sprinkling on the cake mix.
Extra Spiced
Add ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the pumpkin mixture.
🍨 Serving Suggestions
This cake is especially delicious served warm with:
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
- Toasted pecans
- Cinnamon sugar
- Chopped walnuts
For the ultimate fall dessert, serve a warm slice with vanilla ice cream and warm caramel sauce.
🧊 Storage
Cover the cooled cake tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Because of the pumpkin layer, this dessert should be refrigerated after cooling.
Reheating
Warm individual portions in the microwave for 20–30 seconds, or until pleasantly warm.
Add fresh whipped cream after reheating.
❄️ Freezing
Allow the cake to cool completely.
Cut into individual portions and wrap tightly.
Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.
🎃 Final Result
This Pumpkin Dump Cake is everything a cozy fall dessert should be: soft, creamy pumpkin underneath and a golden, buttery, warmly spiced cake topping above.
Finish it with whipped cream, caramel, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got an incredibly easy dessert that’s perfect for Thanksgiving, autumn gatherings, or a simple weeknight treat. 🍂🎃🍰