Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake: A Delicious Fall Dessert!

Okay, mama tribe, gather ’round! Let’s talk about a dessert that’s so easy, it practically makes itself: pumpkin dump cake. Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Vivien, another cake recipe?” But trust me, this isn’t just any cake. This is the kind of dessert you can whip up with one eye on the oven and the other on a toddler trying to paint the dog.

I remember the first time I made this pumpkin dump cake. It was a classic 5 PM panic situation. My oldest had a last-minute school bake sale, my youngest was teething, and dinner was… well, let’s just say it involved cereal that night! I needed something fast, easy, and that tasted like I actually put some effort in. I stumbled upon a pumpkin dump cake recipe, and the rest is history. This pumpkin dump cake became a staple.

The best part? My family actually loved it! Even my picky eater devoured it! It’s become a fall tradition, and honestly, sometimes I make it just because I need a little bit of comfort food in my life. So, if you’re looking for an easy pumpkin dessert that’s almost impossible to mess up, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get baking, kitchen warriors!

INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:

Okay, here’s the super simple list for our pumpkin dump cake. Remember, this pumpkin cake recipe is all about ease, so don’t stress if you need to make a swap or two!

• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

Trust me, this pumpkin dump cake ingredient list is SHORT because mama doesn’t have time for fancy!

No worries if you don’t have evaporated milk – I use whole milk all the time in my pumpkin dump cake. It works just fine! You can grab everything you need for this pumpkin dump cake at Target while doing your regular grocery run. This pumpkin dump cake doesn’t have to break the bank. Look for store-brand cake mixes. For a shortcut, pre-measure your spices into a small container the night before. This saves precious minutes during the 5 PM chaos!

I usually keep any leftover canned pumpkin in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. I add extra cinnamon because my family loves it. Sometimes I even throw in a handful of chocolate chips. Don’t tell anyone!

Let’s Make it Happen!

Ready to get our bake on? This pumpkin dump cake recipe is seriously so easy, you’ll be amazed.

1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. I like to use cooking spray for this because it’s fast and easy!
2. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Mix it all together until everything is well combined. Don’t worry if it looks a little lumpy at this stage. It will all come together in the oven! This pumpkin dump cake is fool proof.
3. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly so that it covers the entire bottom of the dish.
4. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the pumpkin mixture. Try to cover the entire surface as best you can. Don’t mix it in! It’s a dump cake recipe for a reason.
5. Pour the melted butter evenly over the cake mix. Again, try to cover the entire surface. This will help the cake bake properly and give it that delicious, buttery flavor.
6. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. In my chaotic kitchen, this pumpkin dump cake usually takes about 55 minutes. Perfect time to fold that laundry pile!
7. Let the cake cool completely before serving. This is important! It needs time to set up properly. Your pumpkin dump cake should smell amazing by now.

Here’s where I used to mess up my pumpkin dump cake: I wouldn’t spread the butter evenly enough. This would result in some dry spots on the cake. Don’t make my mistake! This easy pumpkin dessert will come together in no time! While your pumpkin dump cake is doing its thing, pour yourself that well-deserved coffee! If you want another super easy dessert, then check out this Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe.

How We Love to Eat This!

Okay, so the pumpkin dump cake is baked, cooled, and ready to be devoured. But how do we serve it up to our hungry little monsters?

The kids devour this pumpkin dump cake when I serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They also love it with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. It’s a simple, classic combination that never fails. This pumpkin dump cake is perfect for those crazy weeknight dinners when you need a quick and easy dessert to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.

This pumpkin dump cake is perfect for potlucks, Thanksgiving, or even just a cozy fall evening at home. I like to dust the top with powdered sugar for a pretty presentation. But honestly, most of the time, I just cut it into squares and let everyone dig in. I often have leftovers (though not for long!), and they’re just as good the next day. I sometimes crumble them up and use them as a topping for yogurt or ice cream.

One year, I tried adding a layer of cream cheese frosting to the top of my pumpkin dump cake. It was a hit! I’ve also experimented with different spices, like nutmeg and allspice. My friends and family always rave about how moist and flavorful this cake is. They can’t believe how easy it is to make! For more awesome and easy canned pumpkin recipes, check out these Pumpkin Dump Cake (Easy!).

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Okay, mama tribe, let’s tackle some of those burning questions you might have about this pumpkin dump cake.

• Can my picky eater handle this pumpkin dump cake?
  Honestly, it depends on your picky eater. But most kids love the sweet, spiced flavor of this cake. The texture is also soft and moist, which can be a plus for kids who are sensitive to textures.
• What if I burn my pumpkin dump cake? (Asking for a friend… okay, it was me!)
  We’ve all been there! If the top starts to get too dark, cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time. And if it’s really burnt, well, maybe just scrape off the top layer and pretend it never happened!
• Can I make this pumpkin dump cake ahead for meal prep?
  Absolutely! This cake is actually even better the next day, as the flavors have had time to meld together. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
• What kind of cake mix works best?
  I usually use yellow cake mix, but you can also use spice cake mix or even butter pecan cake mix for a different flavor twist.
• Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
  While I haven’t tried it myself, I’m sure you could! Just make sure to puree the fresh pumpkin until it’s smooth.
• What if I don’t have all the spices on hand?
  No problem! You can use pumpkin pie spice instead of the individual spices.
• My cake is too dry! What did I do wrong?
  Make sure you’re measuring the ingredients correctly, especially the butter. Also, don’t overbake the cake. It should be moist and slightly jiggly in the center. For other ideas with pumpkin, check out Mommy Made Meals’ pumpkin-spice-cake-roll.

Final Thoughts:

This pumpkin dump cake is more than just a dessert to my family. It’s a symbol of those moments when I managed to pull off a win in the kitchen, despite the chaos swirling around me. It’s a reminder that sometimes the simplest things are the most satisfying.

Here are some of my pumpkin dump cake Mom Hacks:

• Pre-measure spices: Do this the night before to save time during the baking process.
• Use a disposable baking dish: Less cleanup is always a win!
• Let the kids help: They can sprinkle the cake mix and drizzle the butter (with supervision, of course!).

Here are a few family-tested pumpkin dump cake variations:

• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Dump Cake: Add a cup of chocolate chips to the pumpkin mixture.
• Pecan Pumpkin Dump Cake: Sprinkle chopped pecans over the cake mix before baking.
• Caramel Pumpkin Dump Cake: Drizzle caramel sauce over the cake after baking.

My oldest loves the chocolate chip version, while my youngest prefers the classic. I hope you’ll give this pumpkin dump cake a try and make it your own. Add your favorite spices, throw in some chocolate chips, or top it with a scoop of ice cream. Whatever you do, have fun with it!

This pumpkin dump cake reminds me of another family favorite, these Mommy Made Meals pumpkin-cheesecake-bars.

For another recipe, check out this Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe

I know you can do this, kitchen warriors! Happy baking! And for more sanity-saving dinner ideas, check out this Mommy Made Meals homemade-pumpkin-cake-with-warm-spices.I hope you feel encouraged to make this amazing pumpkin dump cake for your family!