Description
A reliable, incredibly easy autumn dessert that combines a rich, spiced pumpkin layer with a crunchy, cinnamon-sugar cake mix crust. Perfect for busy home cooks who want big flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 15 oz (425g) canned pumpkin puree (100% pure, not pie mix)
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon spiced pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- Optional: 4 oz softened cream cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the canned pumpkin, granulated sugar, pumpkin pie spice, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until completely smooth.
- Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the dry yellow cake mix, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar.
- Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients and stir until the mixture resembles coarse, wet sand.
- Sprinkle the crumbly crust mixture evenly over the pumpkin layer. Do not press it down. Add optional nuts if using.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the pumpkin layer is bubbling vigorously around the edges.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the custard layer to set.
- Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Do not skip greasing the pan as the sugar can caramelize and stick. Use real butter, not margarine, for the best texture. The cake is done when edges are bubbling, not when a toothpick comes out clean. It tastes better the next day as flavors meld. Can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: pumpkin dump cake, fall dessert, easy autumn recipe, cinnamon pumpkin, dump cake, Thanksgiving dessert, pumpkin pie spice, yellow cake mix