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Easy Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake

Cozy, simple, and so good — this Pumpkin Dump Cake is full of warm fall spice and ready in under an hour.
4.94 from 16 reviews

5 Star Reader Comment

Made this recipe and it is so easy and delicious. It’s like an upside down pumpkin pie with the crust on top. So good and much easier than making a pie. Thanks for the recipe!

Diane
Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake topped with ice cream and chopped pecans served on a white plate.
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Donya’s Tips and Things To Know

  • Use spice cake mix. Skip the yellow cake mix — a spice cake mix adds that deep, cozy flavor we all crave this time of year.
  • Don’t panic if it jiggles! When the cake comes out of the oven, the center may still look a little soft. Let it rest — it’ll continue cooking as it cools.
  • Let it cool before slicing. Don’t skip this step! Give it 30 minutes or so before cutting for beautiful, clean slices.
  • Make it your own. Add chopped pecans (try candied pecans, too) or walnuts for crunch, stir in a handful of dried cranberries, or sprinkle a little orange zest for brightness.
  • Serve it warm. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce makes it extra cozy.

If you’re on a baking kick this fall, try my Million Dollar Pound Cake, Pumpkin Coconut Muffins, and Pumpkin Pecan Quick Bread.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Pumpkin purée: Not pumpkin pie filling — just pure pumpkin.
  • Sugar: Balances the pumpkin and brings out the spice.
  • Evaporated milk: Makes the filling rich and creamy, like pumpkin pie.
  • Eggs: Bind the filling and give it a silky texture.
  • Pumpkin pie spice: The heart of this recipe — warm, cozy, and fragrant.
  • Salt: Enhances every flavor.
  • Spice cake mix: A smart shortcut that adds a perfectly spiced topping.
  • Melted butter: Creates that golden, crisp layer on top.

How To Make One Bowl Pumpkin Cake

  1. Mix: Whisk together pumpkin purée, sugar, evaporated milk, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until smooth.
  2. Assemble: Pour into a greased 9×13-inch pan, sprinkle the spice cake mix evenly on top, and drizzle with melted butter (don’t stir!).
  3. Bake: Bake for 50–60 minutes, until set and golden.
  4. Cool & Serve: Let cool for at least 30 minutes, then slice and serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

More Fall Desserts To Love

Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake topped with ice cream and chopped pecans served on a white plate.

Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake

4.94 from 16 reviews
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Calories: 558kcal
Print Pin Rate
This Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake is the easiest fall dessert you'll make! Ready in one bowl with just eight ingredients, it's the perfect cozy treat for pumpkin lovers.

Ingredients

  • 2 15 ounce cans pumpkin
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 16 ounce can evaporated milk
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 teaspoon pumpkin pie spices
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • ¾ cup butter , melted

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Combine pumpkin, sugar, evaporated milk, eggs, pumpkin pie spices and salt in mixing bowl. Beat well.
  • Pour into greased and floured 9 x 13 inch glass pan. Sprinkle cake mix over pumpkin. Pour melted butter over all – DO NOT MIX.
  • Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Let it cool for 30 minutes or so before slicing.

Notes

Recipe Variations:
    • Swap the pumpkin puree for pumpkin pie filling for a sweeter cake.
    • You can add in some orange zest or ginger for a bit of brightness.
Leftovers: This cake can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for 5 days. Let it cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container.
To Freeze: You can freeze this easy fall cake recipe for up to 3 months. Let it cool, then wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe plastic bag to prevent freezer burn.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving · Calories: 558kcal · Carbohydrates: 74g · Protein: 5g · Fat: 28g · Saturated Fat: 14g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g · Monounsaturated Fat: 10g · Trans Fat: 1g · Cholesterol: 107mg · Sodium: 731mg · Potassium: 255mg · Fiber: 1g · Sugar: 55g · Vitamin A: 664IU · Vitamin C: 0.3mg · Calcium: 81mg · Iron: 3mg

What To Serve With This Southern Pumpkin Dessert

This cake pairs beautifully with fall comfort foods like my Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pork Roast, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, or Air Fryer Baby Potatoes. For dessert spreads or holiday tables, serve it alongside Eggnog Pound Cake, Grandma’s Apple Crisp, or Crock Pot Chocolate Pecan Candy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of purée?

You can, but skip the added sugar and spices in the recipe since the filling already includes them. The result will be a little sweeter and softer.

How long will this Pumpkin Dump Cake last?

t’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature or 5 days in the refrigerator. Make sure it’s completely cooled before storing in an airtight container.

Can I freeze Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake?

Yes! Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

What’s the difference between a dump cake and a regular cake?

A dump cake doesn’t require any creaming or layering — you literally “dump” the ingredients together. It’s more rustic than a traditional cake but every bit as delicious.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely. This dessert actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together. It’s perfect for making ahead for Thanksgiving or fall gatherings.

If you try this Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!

Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake is full of the warm flavors of fall. An easy to make cake that starts with a box mix.
Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake is full of the warm flavors of fall. An easy to make cake that starts with a box mix.
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Recipe Rating




34 Comments

    1. Yum — walnuts are such a great addition! I love how you made the recipe your own. So glad it turned out awesome!
      ~Donya

  1. 5 stars
    Made this recipe and it is so easy and delicious. It’s like an upside down pumpkin pie with the crust on top. So good and much easier than making a pie. Thanks for the recipe!

  2. 5 stars
    I made this today and it turned out absolutely delicious! I love the idea of using spice cake mix, as some recipes call for yellow cake mix which I feel is not as good a good fit for this dessert. I like the Betty Crocker brand best. I cut the sugar to 3/4 cup because the cake mix carries the sweetness. I adjusted the recipe to 1.5 sticks of melted butter to the top of the cake mix before baking to make sure there was no dry cake mix on top. I lowered the oven temperature to 325 degrees to allow this to cook more slowly and more thoroughly. This is literally melt in your mouth delicious! I will definitely make this again and again! Thank you so much for posting! Five stars!

  3. Yes, I made this cake and everyone ooohed and awed. Let’s just say none went to waste. I highly recommend this recipe.

  4. 4 stars
    Excellent flavor! A little too soft for my preference. I will definately make this again but will probably add pecans. I ended up having to bake it for about 90 minutes, but covered it the last 20 or so. That may have contributed for the softness

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