Warm up that oven because you will love this Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe. A creamy pumpkin pie layer covered with a crunchy cake topping is the ultimate fall dessert.
Looking for other pumpkin recipes? Try adding this pumpkin spice bundt cake or a traditional pumpkin pie recipe to your holiday desserts.
Award Winning Pumpkin Cobbler
A few weeks ago I was going through my old recipe box and came across this pumpkin cobbler recipe that I had forgotten about. Many, many years ago this very same recipe won first place when I entered it in a fall dessert contest.
This pumpkin cobbler with a yellow cake mix is one of my very favorite things to make once fall arrives. You may have a similar recipe, but know it as pumpkin crunch cake or pumpkin dump cake.
Whatever you call it, the creamy pumpkin pie filling with a buttery crumb cake topping is divine!!!
What is a Dump Cake?
Isn't that the worst name for a dessert? How can something so delicious have such an unattractive name?
Dump cakes like this got their name because you basically "dump" everything in the pan and then bake it. I love how easy it is to have a delicious dessert with very little work.
Don't love pumpkin? Try this Blackberry Cobbler with cake mix instead.
Ingredients Needed
With a few basic ingredients, a yellow cake mix and pumpkin, you can create this delicious pumpkin cobbler recipe. The creamy pumpkin pie filling and a crunchy, buttery cake topping work so well together.
- Pumpkin Puree - Make sure you buy pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling. The canned pumpkin pie filling has sugar and spices added to it.
- Sugar - A mixture of brown sugar and granulated sugar sweetens the filling.
- Spices - Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger and sugars blend so well together.
- Cornstarch - Thickens the pumpkin pie filling.
- Eggs - Binds the pumpkin puree together.
- Milk - Adds moisture and makes it creamy.
- Yellow Cake Mix - This is the traditional flavor, but you can change up the cake flavor if you like. A white cake mix or a spice cake mix are great options as well. If you love chocolate and pumpkin, try a chocolate cake mix.
- Toffee Bits - Find these in your grocery store by the baking isle. If you don't like toffee you can leave them out.
- Pecans - This gives a nice nutty flavor and a great crunch.
- Butter - Melted and drizzled over the top will give it a nice buttery flavor.
How to make Pumpkin Dump Cake
This pumpkin dump cake recipe comes together in minutes. Here are some super easy steps in preparing this pumpkin cobbler. The full ingredient list is at the bottom of the post.
- Preheat the oven and spray your pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix the pumpkin, sugar, spices, salt, cornstarch, eggs, and milk together in a large bowl.
- Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Mix together the dry cake mix, chopped pecans, and toffee bits. Sprinkle the mixture evenly on top of the pumpkin batter.
- Melt the butter and drizzle it evenly all over the top of the cake and place in the oven. The butter and yellow cake mix will come together as the pumpkin crisp bakes.
Ways to serve this Pumpkin Dessert
After this magic pumpkin cobbler comes out of the oven, you have a couple options for eating it.
- WARM - Scoop a big bowl of warm pumpkin pecan cobbler. Top it with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and a few chopped pecans. The ice cream starts to melt and get all gooey with the pumpkin filling.
- COLD - Let the pumpkin dump cake cool and then refrigerate it for a few hours. It will set up, and then you will be able to slice out a piece that resembles cake. Spoon a big helping of homemade whipped cream on top, add a few nuts, and then go to town on it.
Does this need to be refrigerated?
Yes, whatever leftovers you have, store them in the refrigerator in a covered container.
How long does this pumpkin dump cake last?
Well, if your family is like mine, it will be eaten up quick! But if you eat a little slower than we do, leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
Can I freeze dump cake?
Technically you can, however, to get the best flavor and texture I would not. You can make it ahead of time and simply eat it cold or reheat it for your family gathering.
More Easy Pumpkin Recipes
- Best Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Cake
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites
- Layered Pumpkin Coffee Cake
- Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
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Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe
Warm up that oven because you will love this Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe. A creamy pumpkin pie layer covered with a crunchy cake topping is the ultimate fall dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup pecan chips
- ½ cup toffee bits
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Whisk together the pumpkin, sugars, spices, salt, cornstarch, eggs, and milk. Pour into the prepared pan.
- Stir together the cake mix, pecan chips, and toffee bits. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the pumpkin mixture.
- Drizzle the melted butter on top. Bake for 60 minutes.
- Remove and cool slightly. Serve warm with ice cream, or refrigerate and serve cold with Cool Whip or whipped cream.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 15 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 403Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 380mgCarbohydrates: 52gFiber: 2gSugar: 35gProtein: 5g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for Easy Pumpkin Crunch Cobbler was first published September 8, 2016. The post was updated and republished September 2, 2020.
Karen
Can you tell me if this recipe uses a 15.25 oz cake mix? So many recipes don't say and most recipes won't work with the new size if the recipe calls for the 18.25 oz size, It sounds delicious and it is now pumpkin recipe season.
Jocelyn
Yes, I just used a 15.25 ounce cake mix. In fact, I just checked and all the cake mixes in my pantry are 15.25 ounces. I believe most cake mix brands are this size now. Because you are only using the dry mix, either size will work in a dump cake. I hope this helps and you enjoy the pumpkin cake.
Karen
Thank You. I have run into many recipes on Pinterest that just say cake mix and they are talking about the old size. I try to look at the date the recipe was published but that doesn't always help. We are planning to make this tomorrow.
Jane Buirgy
How much pumpkin pie spice instead of other spices?
Jocelyn
I would use 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice if you are not going to do the individual spices. I hope you enjoy the cobbler.
Delaney Evol
This may have already been addressed and I overlooked it. Are "whole" cloves required for this recipe or may I use a ratio of ground cloves to whole cloves? I am afraid whole cloves are much too expensive in my area ( I would not mind, but I shall only use whole cloves for this recipe). I would greatly appreciate a response---I would truly love to make what sounds to be a delicious Pumpkin Crunch Cobbler for my Vets and staff and local Police Department.
Jocelyn
This recipe just uses the ground powdered cloves as it is being mixed and baked into the batter. I hope you and those you share it with enjoy the recipe!!!
Delaney Evol
Thank you very much.
Lola Osinkolu | Chef Lola's Kitchen
This surely looks like an award winning dish! Can't wait to try it!
SANDRA L MORAN
i found that the cake mix on top really didn't seem to fold in after baked, i put more butter than it asked for
Jocelyn
I took a look at this and realized that most dump cakes I have done before called for 12 Tablespoons of butter, so I updated the recipe to reflect that. It will taste great with 8, but 12 helps get the cake mix all the way baked on top. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Jill
Can you make it without the pecans my friend can’t have any nuts
Jocelyn
You sure can. Just leave the nuts out and bake it as directed. Enjoy!!!