Pumpkin Dump Cake with Yellow Cake Mix

Pumpkin Dump Cake is an easy-to-make, delicious fall dessert. A creamy pumpkin filling is topped with a boxed yellow cake mix then sprinkled with crunchy pecans and toffee bits for a slice of sweet seasonal flavor. And a drizzle of maple sauce just brings it to a whole new level! Great for now or make it your new go-to Thanksgiving dessert.

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Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipe

Who doesn't love dump cakes?! It is one of the easiest desserts to make and comes out delicious every time! This year I wanted to make a dessert that had all the fall flavors like pumpkin, pumpkin spice, pecans, and maple rolled into one but was hassle-free. Enter this fall dump cake.

I love this warm pumpkin dessert in the fall when it's cold outside and I've even had it in place of pie for Thanksgiving! It's so much easier than pie and still gives all those pumpkin vibes you want after your feast. Not to mention that yummy maple sauce!

Why You'll Love This Dump Cake With Pumpkin

The ultimate combination of cake and pie.

Baked in a skillet for a comforting and unique appearance. It's reminiscent of desserts made by southern grandmothers.

Easy to make - just dump in ingredients and bake!

Saves time - Forget mixing up cake batter, this dessert uses a boxed yellow cake mix.

Simple ways to change it up - see Recipe Variations below.

What is dump cake?

Basically, it is a dessert simply made by dumping ingredients in a pan and baking it. It is usually a layer of fruit and a layer of boxed cake mix topped with butter.

For this pumpkin dump cake, I substituted homemade pumpkin pie filling for the fruit and also topped it with pecans and toffee. What you get is a creamy pumpkin pie layer, a moist cake layer that bakes up like a cobbler, and a super crunchy toffee nut topping that is to die for. I mean, can you think of an easier, more delicious pumpkin dessert than this?

Just look at those layers of yumminess! All that warm maple sauce and melting ice cream just oozing down the sides of the cake. So what are you waiting for, get into the kitchen and make this fantastic treat!

Ingredients

For the homemade pumpkin pie filling layer:

• Canned pumpkin puree
• Evaporated milk
• Eggs
• Brown sugar
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

How to Make Pumpkin Dump Cake

1. In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and eggs. Add evaporated milk.
2. Sprinkle in salt and spices.
3. Add vanilla extract for a richer flavor.
4. Whisk together well. You don't want any lumps in your pumpkin filling!

5. Pour the pumpkin filling into a cast iron skillet that has been sprayed with a nonstick spray or coated with butter.

6. Pour the yellow cake mix evenly over the top of the pumpkin filling.
7. Drizzle melted butter over the cake mix, making sure to cover every inch of the dry mix.
8. Sprinkle with pecans and toffee bits.
9. Bake it for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Make the maple sauce while the dump cake is baking. Just heat the maple syrup and butter in a small saucepan, bring it to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar until smooth. Serve warm as it will harden as it cools.

Serve the pumpkin dump cake in the skillet with a drizzle of maple sauce and several scoops of vanilla ice cream. Scoop it out and enjoy warm fall decadence at its best!

Recipe Variations

• Change out the yellow cake mix for another flavor that would complement the pumpkin. Make pumpkin dump cake with spice cake mix or butter pecan cake mix.
• You can use homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned.
• Want to make pumpkin dump cake without evaporated milk? Use cream or half-and-half instead.
• Don't care for pecans? You can use almonds or walnuts or leave them off altogether. Or use candied pecans for an extra special touch.
• The toffee bits in this recipe can be left off if you want a less sweet dessert.
• Maple sauce is a delicious, rich fall flavor to top this dump cake with but caramel sauce is also an awesome addition.
• Don't have a cast iron skillet? You can use an 11x7-inch baking dish.

How to Serve Pumpkin Dump Cake

Serve this Pumpkin Dump Cake warm right out of the skillet with a big scoop of ice cream on top and plenty of maple sauce!

If serving it right away, scoop it up out of the skillet with a large serving spoon. It will be like serving a cobbler.

If you want to slice it, cool the cake in the skillet to room temperature and then place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will firm up the cake for slicing. You can warm each slice by microwaving it for about 1 minute.

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

Storing: Allow the cake to cool completely before storing. Transfer the cooled cake from the skillet to an airtight container. Cast iron is porous and can absorb the flavors of food, so it's not ideal for storage. Plus, refrigerating cast iron can lead to rust. Place the container in the refrigerator. The cake should stay fresh for up to 5 days.

Freezing: Once the cake has cooled completely, it should be transferred from the skillet to a freezer-safe container. Or slice the cake into individual servings before freezing. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil. Place these slices in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will last up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Reheating: For microwave reheating, place a slice on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until warm. If using an oven, preheat it to 350°F, place the slices in a baking dish, and warm them for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.

More Pumpkin Recipes

You'll love these delicious pumpkin recipes to make for your family and friends.

Maple Pumpkin Bread is not your ordinary pumpkin bread! This bread has maple flavor mixed in then it's topped with loads of crunchy pecan crumbs. It's like dessert for breakfast!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies are rich, fudgy brownies swirled with pumpkin cheesecake for the perfect indulgent fall treat.

Pumpkin Pecan Pie for when you don't want to make your mind up between pumpkin pie or pecan pie!

Find lots of recipes for fall and Thanksgiving desserts right here on 2CM!

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This post has been updated with more helpful information. It was first published on October 7, 2020.