Apple Butter Pumpkin Dump Cake with Cream Cheese Whip
Warm, gooey autumn dump cake layered with spiced apple butter, pumpkin puree, golden yellow cake crumble, crunchy toasted pecans, and melted butter.
In a nutshell:This authentic american apple butter pumpkin dump cake with cream cheese whip comes together in just 1 hour with simple ingredients. The chef's secret: the magic of dump cake relies on layering — spread cold, thinly sliced butter pats across the dry cake mix for a golden, crackly crust. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.
Riding the +165% search explosion for pumpkin dump cakes, this Apple Butter Pumpkin Dump Cake delivers ultimate fall bakery indulgence with almost zero effort. Simply layer rich spiced pumpkin puree and sweet apple butter into a baking dish, 'dump' dry yellow cake mix and chopped pecans on top, and slice butter all over. It bakes into a molten, spiced caramel-apple pumpkin layer beneath a crackly, buttery golden streusel.
Key Equipment
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- 9x13-inch ceramic baking dish
- Mixing bowl and whisk
- Offset spatula
Chef's Pro-Tips
- Do NOT mix the dry cake layer: The magic of dump cake relies on layering; spreading cold thinly sliced butter pats across the dry cake mix creates a golden, crackly crust naturally in the oven.
- Cover all dry spots with butter: Slice butter very thin so you can cover as much surface area as possible, eliminating dry flour pockets.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream: The contrast between bubbling molten spiced pumpkin-apple and cold melting ice cream is sensational.
Ingredients
12
servings
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1 can (15 oz) 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie mix
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1 jar (10 oz) spiced apple butter, thick and caramelized
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1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk, for rich custard base
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3 large eggs, room temperature
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¾ cup brown sugar, packed
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1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon, warm fall spices
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1 box (15.25 oz) yellow or spice cake mix, dry, unmixed
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold, cut into thin pats
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1 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped for crunchy topping
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1 cup whipped cream cheese or vanilla ice cream, for serving warm
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Whisk Pumpkin Custard Layer
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. In a mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, apple butter, evaporated milk, eggs, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice until smooth and uniform.
Pour into Dish
Pour the pumpkin apple butter custard mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Dump Dry Cake Mix & Pecans
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the pumpkin layer, spreading gently with a spatula to cover. Do NOT stir. Scatter chopped pecans evenly over the dry cake mix.
Layer Butter Pats
Arrange thin pats of cold butter across the entire top of the cake mix, covering as much surface as possible.
Bake & Serve Warm
Bake for 50-55 minutes until the top is golden brown, bubbly around the edges, and cake crumble is crisp. Cool for 15 minutes, scoop warm into bowls, and top with whipped cream cheese or vanilla ice cream!
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
Kitchen EssentialsAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack
Warp-resistant aluminum for even browning, from sheet-pan dinners to cookies.
View on AmazonVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife
Razor-sharp Fibrox Pro blade that home chefs and pros both reach for.
View on AmazonTILUCK Stainless Measuring Cups & Spoons, 10-Pc
Stainless steel cups and spoons that measure precisely and last.
View on AmazonMercer Culinary Locking Tongs, 9" + 12"
Locking tongs in two handy sizes for the stovetop and the grill.
View on AmazonAmazon Basics Non-Stick Parchment Paper Roll
Non-stick paper for lining pans – easy release, easy cleanup.
View on AmazonWoodenhouse Teak Wooden Spoons, 10-Pc
Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.
View on AmazonOXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk Set, 9" + 11"
Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.
View on AmazonUltra Cuisine Stainless Cooling Rack Set of 2
Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.
View on AmazonUmite Chef Stainless Mixing Bowls with Lids, 8-Pc
Nesting stainless bowls with airtight lids, from prep to storage.
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Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.
View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Apple butter is a highly concentrated, slow-cooked caramelized apple puree spiced with cinnamon and cloves. It adds deeper, richer caramel notes than standard applesauce.
Yes! Spice cake mix makes this dump cake even more aromatic and intensely autumnal.
Cover baking dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 20 seconds.
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