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Pumpkin Crunch Cake is brimming with fall flavors. Top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream and chopped pecans to create the perfect pumpkin dessert.
Every year, once the weather starts to turn cold, we play a game of “furnace chicken” at our house.
I hate finally having to cave and turn the furnace on. Having the heat on just really signifies winter to me, so we try to avoid it as long as possible.
Instead, we layer up and use the fireplace as the weather dips into the 60s. Honestly, I sort of love the excuse to cozy up with the girls, our favorite blanket and a cup of crockpot hot chocolate and a special treat.
Lately, I’m all about enjoying a slice of my Nana’s pumpkin crunch cake as I snuggle with my loves. I enjoy this cake any time of year, but most especially now!
My Nana’s Famous Pumpkin Crunch Cake
Growing up, this pumpkin crunch cake was a staple at my Nana’s house right alongside her pumpkin roll. Not only is it super simple to make, it’s also incredibly delicious.
With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a rich, flavorful pumpkin dessert that’s perfect for Thanksgiving or just a random Tuesday night.
Sometimes Nana would leave out the pecans, but not me. There’s just something about them, especially when combined with pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice, that I can’t skip.
You might think I’m crazy, but I actually love this cake year-round. Thanks to canned pumpkin, it’s something you really can whip up whenever the mood strikes, be it April or October.
There’s no shame in reveling in pumpkin and pecans when the temperature is above 55°F. I certainly make pumpkin bread and pumpkin pecan bars outside of the fall – just add this cake to that list!
What is Pumpkin Crunch Cake?
The way this pumpkin crunch cake comes together puts it in the “dump cake” category. I know, the phrase “dump cake” is kind of weird, but trust me on this one, ok?
A dump cake just means that you “dump” the ingredients in the pan and everything magically comes together in the oven. Other dump cakes include cherry pineapple dump cake, blackberry dump cake, and apple dump cake.
Pumpkin crunch cake bakes up to give you a layer of moist pumpkin cake on the bottom with a buttery, crumbly layer on the top. This buttery top layer is what gives the recipe its “crunch cake” name.
Seriously, the way it bakes up is like magic, just like pumpkin gooey butter cake.
How to Make This Recipe
Nana always made her Pumpkin Crunch Cakes with a mix, and I have to tell you, cake mixes have come a long way since I was a little kid baking in Nana’s kitchen. I love the fact that I find mixes now without all the artificial stuff.
Using a yellow cake mix also makes this Pumpkin Crunch Cake recipe incredibly easy to whip up.
Seriously, it will probably take longer for your oven to preheat than it will for you to get the cake ready to bake.
Since so many of the ingredients are pantry staples, it’s easy to pull together at the last minute, completely stress-free.
Ingredients you’ll need
For this recipe, you will need:
- 1 can pumpkin puree
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 yellow cake mix
- 1 cup chopped pecans (optional, but highly recommended)
- 1 cup melted unsalted butter
Make sure you buy pure pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie filling. Canned pumpkin pie filling has other ingredients added to it and we just want pure pumpkin here.
You could also use homemade pumpkin puree. Just keep in mind that homemade pumpkin puree isn’t as orange as the canned stuff, since canned pumpkin is typically made from a mix of squash that falls into the pumpkin family.
You also want to make sure you buy evaporated milk and NOT sweetened condensed milk. The two are typically next to each other in the baking aisle, so make sure you read the labels carefully.
For this recipe, you will need a 15.25-ounce yellow cake mix. Betty Crocker recently changed most of their cake mixes to be 13.25 ounces, so I recommend buying a Duncan Hines mix for this recipe.
Making my pumpkin crunch cake
This recipe does require one more bowl than most dump cake recipes, but I promise that it’s still super simple.
Start by whisking together the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, both sugars, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a large bowl.
Once that mixture is well combined, spread it into a buttered 13×9-inch cake pan and smooth it into an even layer.
Now sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the pumpkin mixture. I like to use my hands to gently press the cake mix into the batter.
Sprinkle the pecans over the cake mix and evenly drizzle the melted butter over the entire cake. Don’t stir it in, just drizzle it on top!
Bake the cake for 40 minutes, then check the cake. If the top is becoming too brown, cover the cake lightly with a piece of foil for the rest of the baking time.
Continue baking an additional 10-20 minutes or until the center of the cake is set.
Cool the pumpkin crunch cake completely on a wire rack, then chill in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
We like to serve our pumpkin crunch cake with a dollop of homemade whipped cream and a few more chopped pecans.
FAQs
Do you need to store this pumpkin crunch cake in the refrigerator?
Yes, I do typically store this cake in the refrigerator due to the number of eggs in the recipe. It’s delicious straight from the fridge or you can let it come to room temperature before serving.
You can even pop a slice in the microwave for 30 seconds if you want to warm it through before enjoying.
Can you freeze any leftovers?
Yes, pumpkin crunch cake should freeze just fine. I suggest placing slices in an airtight container, separated with layers of parchment paper. Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight or microwave for 30-60 seconds to thaw and warm it through.
Could you use a different cake mix flavor instead of yellow cake mix?
Any cake mix flavor will work here as long as it is a 15.25-ounce mix and you like the flavor combination with the pumpkin. For example, a spice cake mix or a butter pecan cake mix would be delicious, too.
Can you use a gluten-free cake mix?
I have had several readers try making this pumpkin crunch cake with a gluten-free cake mix and they have said it was delicious and worked great.
Pumpkin Crunch Cake
Ingredients
- 1 can pumpkin puree 15 ounces
- 1 can evaporated milk 12 ounces
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 box yellow cake mix 15.25 ounces
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugars, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and salt and well combined and smooth.
- Pour mixture into prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
- Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over the pumpkin mixture and use your hands to gently press it into the batter.
- Sprinkle the top of the cake with chopped pecans and evenly drizzle the melted butter over the entire cake.
- Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. At this point, check your cake. If the top is becoming too brown, cover the cake with a piece of foil for the remaining baking time. Continue baking an additional 10-20 minutes or until set.
- Remove pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Chill for a few hours before serving.
- If desired, top with whipped cream and chopped pecans before serving.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’d like to figure out a way to do this gluten free/dairy free! ย Looks absolutely delicious & like it would be a huge hit in my g/f d/f family! ย Any ideas to do this would be appreciated! ย :) ย
Hello! I haven’t attempted making this cake gluten or dairy free, so I am not sure of the right method or result. If you happen to give it a try, I’d love to know how it turns out. Thanks so much for stopping by.
-Jamie
Do you leave the cake covered while cooling? Also once cooled by “chill” do you mean refridgerate before seving?? Ive taken it out of the oven and had it covered while cooling and i noticed moisture at the top of the foil so i uncovered as it is still in the process of cooling. So i need to know if i put in in the refrigerator next and if im suppksed to leave it uncovered. Hoping to hear back soon. Thanks!
Hi Jamie – Leave the cake uncovered while cooling. Once cool, place it in the fridge to chill for several hours so it sets up properly. Happy baking!
Oh my GOD! This is so good! I made it and brought it to work and people gobbled it up and wanted the recipe. Thank you!
So happy to hear you and your coworkers enjoyed the cake, Deborah! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie
Can i use pumpkin pie liquid spice mix …. if yes how much
Hello! I haven’t attempted this recipe with this substitution, so I am not sure of the result. If you happen to give it a try, I’d love to know how it turns out. Thanks so much for stopping by.
-Jamie
Looks amazing will be tryin for the up coming holidays
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do, Pat!
Fall is coming. Im anxious to start baking. Thanks.SHIRLEY
Me too, Shirley! Happy Baking!
I cannot find pumpkin puree at any stores could someone tell me where I can find this. Thank you
Carol-
Here’s a link to the brand I use so you can see the packaging. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
Sounds easy & delicious
Thanks so much for stopping by, Carmen! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
I got this recipe many years ago when I live in Hawaii: am asked to make it all through the fall.
I do not add salt and use unsalted butter. I have also made it with 1/2 cup butter on cake mix and it comes ok, not as buttery. I add an extra tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice,
I have used chocolate, spice and yellow cake mix, white cake mix is bland
When it is cooled I turn it over and cover with a can of cream cheese frosting
If I have time can put decorations or design on frosting
Thanks so much for stopping by, Marcia! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
Made this to ring in pumpkin season. It was a big hit. Such a easy delicious smelling recipe.
So happy to hear you enjoyed the cake, Jennifer! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie