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This pumpkin dump cake, aka pumpkin cobbler, tastes like pumpkin pie without the crust. The bottom bakes into a soft, spiced pumpkin custard, and the top turns into a buttery spice cake layer with crushed cinnamon graham crackers baked right in for a little crunch. It’s all layered in one 9×13 dish with canned pumpkin and a box of spice cake mix. I finish each square with a drizzle of caramel and a handful of toasted pecans.
Years ago, my friend Kelly hosted an annual Christmas ornament exchange, and one highlight was always this delicious pumpkin dump cake. Our friend Pam brought it every single year (we would have banished her if she didn’t!) and you’ve never seen a group of ladies hovering over a dessert like this one!
Pam called it pumpkin cobbler, but the recipe is the same. I’ve tweaked her version a little bit by using a spice cake mix instead of yellow cake, and adding cinnamon graham crackers in place of the pecans in the filling. I think it’s heavenly, and it’s so easy. You will love it!
Testing results for pumpkin dump cake
- So the first time I made this cake, I misread Pam’s recipe. It said, “Mix everything,” meaning the topping — but my brain stopped reading, and I literally mixed everything. Needless to say, that was a pumpkin cobbler unlike any other. Don’t be like me.
- I’ve found that allowing the cake to rest for at least half an hour after you pull it from the oven gives you the best results. It just sets up a little better. It’s still pretty jiggly when it first comes out of the oven.
I hope you make this recipe. I think you’ll love it!
Spice cake mix and cinnamon crunch
Pumpkin puree: Grab plain canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling is already sweetened and spiced, and this recipe brings its own sugar and pumpkin pie spice.
Evaporated milk: Evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk sit side by side at the store, so double-check the can. Sweetened condensed milk would make the pumpkin layer far too sweet.
Spice cake mix: This pumpkin dump cake with spice cake mix uses one standard 15.25-ounce box, and store-bought is the way to go. Homemade cake mix doesn’t bake into the topping the same way. For a milder spice flavor, you can use a plain yellow cake mix.
Cinnamon graham crackers: Crushed cinnamon graham crackers go on right after the cake mix and bake into a crisp, cinnamon-sugar layer on top. They won’t cover the whole pan, and they don’t need to, so sprinkle them randomly.
Butter: You’ll need two sticks, half melted and half sliced thin. Spread the melted butter over the top first, then lay the slices over any spots that still look dry. Any cake mix the butter misses bakes up as dry powder.
➡️➡️➡️ The full ingredient amounts and instructions are listed below on the printable recipe card. Scroll below the recipe card for frequently asked questions and tips for success.
Pin this now to save it for laterA pumpkin pie layer under the cake
The bottom layer starts out as the same mixture you’d pour into a pie shell: pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. That’s why you’ll also see this called a pumpkin pie dump cake or pumpkin cobbler. It bakes into a soft, custardy layer that’s closer to pudding than to cake, with no crust underneath.
The layers stay separate. Pour in the pumpkin, sprinkle the dry cake mix over it, add the graham crackers and butter, and don’t stir anything together. In the oven, the cake mix soaks up butter from the top and moisture from the pumpkin below, creating a lovely contrast in textures.
Caramel, pecans, and whipped cream
You can serve this warm, cold from the fridge, or at room temperature.
I top each square with a drizzle of my buttery homemade caramel sauce, a handful of toasted pecans, and a spoonful of Cool Whip. When you have a few extra minutes, homemade whipped cream that beats anything from a can is a nice swap.
If you like how easy this one is, my cherry pineapple dump cake with crushed pineapple and yellow cake mix uses the same butter method. And gooey hot chocolate dump cake with pudding and marshmallows is the one to make once winter sets in.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below!
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Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Pumpkin Layer
- 30 ounces pumpkin puree
- 1 can evaporated milk 12 ounces
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 3 eggs room temperature and lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
Cake Topping
- 1 box spice cake mix 15.25 ounces
- 1 cup crushed cinnamon graham crackers
- 1 cup butter 2 sticks, half melted and half sliced into thin pieces
Serving (Optional)
- caramel sauce
- chopped pecans toasted
- Cool Whip
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick baking spray.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together 30 ounces pumpkin puree, 1 can evaporated milk, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 3 eggs, 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until smooth.
- Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the 1 box spice cake mix evenly over the pumpkin layer. Do not stir.
- Scatter the 1 cup crushed cinnamon graham crackers over the cake mix. They won’t cover the whole top.
- Spread the 1/2 cup melted butter evenly across the top, then lay the 1/2 cup sliced butter over any dry spots, covering as much of the surface as possible.
- Bake uncovered for 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
- Let the cake cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
- Serve each slice topped with caramel sauce, chopped pecans, and Cool Whip, if desired.
Notes
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days. To freeze, wrap the cooled pan or individual slices tightly, then freeze for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator.
- Microwave a slice for about 30 seconds to reheat.
Nutrition
Questions and tips
This recipe is written for a 9×13-inch baking dish. For a smaller or larger pan, scale the recipe up or down so the cake mix still sits in an even layer over the pumpkin. A round dish works as long as it has about the same surface area.
