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Pumpkin Dump Cake (+Video)

Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake gets it’s name by dumping the ingredients into the baking dish. It is like a pumpkin pie and a spice cake all in one!

A SIMPLE PUMPKIN DESSERT

So the words “dump cake” probably don’t sound very appealing, right? It’s probably not the best word to use but its the one most commonly used words for these types of desserts where you “dump” all the ingredients into a dish and bake. Even though the name may not sounds super appealing, I promise these are some the easiest and yummiest desserts to make!

Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake, slice with whipped cream.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Why do they call it dump cake?

Because you “dump” everything into a baking dish and bake. The easiest form of a dump cake is fruit pie filling poured into a 9×13-inch baking dish then that is sprinkled evenly with a cake mix. Then melted butter is poured over the top. You can also mix the cake mix and butter together first then sprinkle over the top of the pie filling.

How do dump cakes work?

They are similar to cobblers in that you have a fruit filling on the bottom of a baking dish and a cake-like topping. In the case of dump cakes, it is a boxed cake mix with melted butter.

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of canned pumpkin?

Yes you can. However, many people find it too sweet (since it has added sugars) when combined with the sweet cake mix. It is definitely an option though if you want to try it.

Should a dump cake be refrigerated?

They do not need to be refrigerated. However, if you want them to last longer than a couple of days, you could cover and refrigerate which will help it last for up to 5 days.

Can dump cakes be frozen?

Yes. As long as it is wrapped well to protect against freezer burn (wrap in plastic wrap then aluminum foil) and it can be kept frozen for 3 months.

Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake recipe from The Country Cook shown on a white plate with a bite removed from the dump cake slice.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
  • evaporated milk
  • eggs
  • sugar
  • ground cinnamon
  • spice cake mix
  • butter
canned pumpkin puree, evaporated, milk, eggs, sugar, ground cinnamon, spice cake mix, butter.

HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN DUMP CAKE:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. I like to use the kind that has flour in it. It works great. In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar and cinnamon until well-combined. It will be very liquid-y.

pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar and cinnamon whisked together in a bowl.

Pour this mixture into a baking dish.

pumpkin pie mix poured into a 13X9 baking dish.

Sprinkle dry cake mix on top of pumpkin mixture.

dry spice cake mix sprinkled over top pumpkin pie mix in a baking dish.

Take melted butter and drizzle all over the top. Bake for about 55-60 minutes. It might still be just a bit jiggly in the middle when done. It will continue to set up as it cools.

MELTED BUTTER DRIZZLED OVER DRY SPICE CAKE MIX.

 Let it cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.Be sure to refrigerate any leftovers. I like to heat each piece up in the microwave for a few seconds before serving since I enjoy eating it warm. 

PUMPKIN DUMP CAKE in baking pan, slice served on a spatula.

Dollop each serving with a bit of whipped cream and a candy pumpkin (if you’re feeling festive)!

slice, Pumpkin Dump Cake on a white plate topped with whipped cream.

CRAVING MORE?

Originally published: October 2012
Updated & republished: August 2019

Pumpkin Dump Cake recipe

Pumpkin Dump Cake (+Video)

Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake gets it's name by dumping the ingredients into the baking dish. It is like a pumpkin pie and a spice cake all in one!
4.89 from 114 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 15 ounce can pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
  • 12 ounce can evaporated milk
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar and cinnamon until well-combined. It will be very liquid-y.
  • Pour this pumpkin mixture into the baking dish.
  • Sprinkle dry cake mix on top of pumpkin mixture.
  • Drizzle melted butter over the top.
  • Bake for about 55-60 minutes.
  • It might still be just a bit jiggly in the middle when done. It will continue to set up as it cools.
  • Let it cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Dollop each serving with a bit of whipped cream.
  • Refrigerate any leftovers.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 483kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 26g | Sodium: 488mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 42g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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236 Comments

  1. I've used a lot of this lady's recipes and they are always delicious and easy to make. I love her tuitorials! The Coconut cream poke cake is out of this world. Served it at a friend's birthday celebration and everybody asked for seconds! It was so light and oh, so good! I'm hosting another birthday dessert party this coming Friday night and I've selected the pumpkin dump cake.

  2. When I leave work in oh the next 30min. I'm going straight to the grocery store for all my ingredients & guess what's for desert tonight?? Mmmmmm

  3. I love dump cakes too…but since April I have had to go Gluten and Dairy Free…so what I'd like to know if you have any suggestions on how I can substitute GF and DF ingredients to get the same effect or outcome as this recipe??? You'd make my fall if you could help with at! I sure do miss my sweets!

    1. Hi Jennifer! I sure do wish I knew more about GF and DF dietary restrictions. Perhaps you could use a Gluten Free yellow cake mix for this and add a bit of extra pumpkin pie spice to it. As for the dairy…I'm not really sure. Evaporated milk is milk that has been reduced so it is a bit thicker and concentrated. So perhaps you could gently simmer some of the milk alternative you use to get it to reduce. You might be able to google instructions on how to do that! 🙂

    2. I would think you could try coconut milk instead of evaporated milk. I am also gf and df as I have Hashimoto disease. If you substitute a gf cake mix watch out for soy if you can’t have that.

  4. I followed the recipe and while it is good, I feel the pumpkin mixture needs some more spice to it. Next time I would probably double the cinnamon or maybe substitute for pumpkin pie spice. Really good though, the crust on the top is wonderful.

  5. Don't know if I did something wrong (followed directions), but the cake mix is still powdery on the top. Anyone else have this issue? Smells amazing, but not sure how the dry cake mix is going to taste. Can I just add some more butter to the top?

    1. When I make dump cakes I don't melt the butter, I just slice it thinly and lay it on top and don't end up with some dry areas of cake mix…just have to experiment with what works for you

  6. Made this last night, smelled incredible while cooking! Tasted even better- my whole family loved it! Will be making this again for sure.

  7. Me again! The one who messed up and "dumped" ALL the ingredients into a bowl then mixed them together and poured them in a pan to bake. It turned out awesome! I added a spill of applesauce on top to serve but ice cream or whipping cream would totally rock too.
    If you really need easy…just dump!

  8. Oh oh…I just "dumped" everything together and mixed it up! Distracted recipe following! I'll let you know how it turns out!
    :-0

    1. I am going to try this in the crock pot since I am currently without an oven. Does anyone know if I would need to change anything up to do it this way?

  9. My husband made this for our end of weekend dessert treat. It was amazing. I will definitely make this many times this fall and into Thanksgiving. Not only did it taste great, the entire house smelt wonderful.

  10. I didn't have spice cake or evaporated milk but added pumpkin pie spice to a golden butter cake mix and substituted 2/3C dry milk and 3/4 C water for the evaporated milk and my dinner guests (my parents) LOVED and raved how good this dessert was :o). Mom wants me to make it for Thanksgiving ;o).

  11. My husband just walked by the computer, saw the picture of this cake and ask for one. He even went to the store to get evaporated milk for me. I made it and it is simply GREAT! Can't wait for my adult daughter to try it!

  12. We love dump cakes! When we do lunch at work it might be Chinese or Italian or for a baby shower. It then becomes – Baby Dump Cake (lol), or Chinese Dump, or Italian Dump. We have a great time and everyone loves the "Dump Cakes".

    1. We made this back in the 70's, and the original recipe called for a yellow cake mix. Do not use a "pudding in the mix" one. In fact, if you can find an off-brand cake mix, it works better, as the topping turns out crunchier. I use one that I buy at the dollar store. The original recipe also called for chopped pecans to be put on the cake mix layer before the butter drizzle step.

  13. You said it wasn't pretty but when I saw the picture and then the name Pumpkin and dump in the same title, I also lost my mind!!! Must have!!! Now!!!!

  14. Okay you said it wasn't pretty but let me tell you, when I saw it, I almost lost my mind!!! Pumpkin and dump in the same sentence,I can't take it!!! Must have!!! Now!!!

  15. Has anyone ever tried cutting this recipe in half? I think as it is it would be too much for my hubby, 5-yr son and I.

  16. I make this recipe all the time and I add nuts to it! Just sprinke nuts (however much you want) on top of the dry cake mixture.

  17. I am new to your site and I LOVE IT! I love a good sweet potatoe pie and was wondering if princella brand yams can be used instead of pumpkin? Also, do you have a sweet potatoe pie recipe 🙂 your recipes are simply delicious! Thanks