Craving the warm, spiced flavors of pumpkin pie without all the work? This Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake delivers everything you love about a traditional pie—creamy filling, comforting spices, and a buttery cake topping—with a quick “dump-and-bake” twist.

Made with simple pantry staples like pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, and boxed yellow cake mix, it’s the perfect dessert for holidays, potlucks, or cozy nights at home.

🧡 Pairing Ideas:

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a classic touch.

• Add a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts before baking for extra crunch.

• For a grown-up twist, serve with a glass of spiced rum eggnog, chai tea, or hot buttered bourbon.

• Add a dash of maple syrup or caramel drizzle for even more indulgence.

✨ Personal Touches:

• Swap the yellow cake mix for spice cake mix for extra fall flavor.

• Mix in mini chocolate chips or butterscotch chips for a sweet surprise.

• Use gluten-free cake mix to make it celiac-friendly.

• Make it in mini ramekins for individual servings at a dinner party.

No matter how you serve it, this dump cake is a low-effort, high-reward dessert that brings smiles every time.

• Lemon Filling Options: You can use lemon pie filling for a more tart, custard-like texture, or lemon curd for a silkier, richer result.

  • Want to make your own? [Click here for a homemade lemon curd recipe!]

  • Cake Mix Options:

  • • White cake mix gives a mellow, sweet base that highlights the lemon flavor.

    • Lemon cake mix intensifies the citrus punch—ideal for die-hard lemon lovers.

• Add fresh lemon zest to enhance brightness and aroma.

• Top with whipped cream, powdered sugar, or a drizzle of lemon glaze for a gourmet touch.

• Lavender buds or a sprig of mint make an elegant garnish.

The dump cake rule is using 1 stick of butter (1/2 cup) is the minimum to create that golden, crisp topping, but sometimes it can leave dry patches if not evenly distributed.  I increase the butter for a more richer, more buttery topping and better coverage.  Here are some options to improve coverage should you go with the standard 1 stick:

• Slice cold butter thinly and lay over the cake mix instead of drizzling melted butter — this can create more even coverage.

• Combine melted butter with a bit of milk or lemon juice (2–3 tablespoons) before drizzling to stretch it without losing moisture.

• Spritz with cooking spray or lightly mist with water before baking to help the dry areas bake more evenly if sticking with 1 stick.

Bring sunshine to your dessert table with this cheerful lemony treat! Try it with lemon curd for a luxe twist 🍋✨ Don’t forget to share your slice of joy and tag us—your kitchen deserves a little zest! 💙 #JoyistaBakes

For extra flavor, drizzle caramel sauce over the top before serving.

No spice cake mix?
No problem! You can use a yellow cake mix and add your own warm spices to mimic the flavor of spice cake. Simply mix the following spices into the dry cake mix before layering:

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/8 teaspoon cloves (optional for a bolder flavor)

• A pinch of allspice (optional)

This homemade blend gives you that cozy, spiced flavor with ingredients you may already have in your pantry.

The dump cake rule is using 1 stick of butter (1/2 cup) is the minimum to create that golden, crisp topping, but sometimes it can leave dry patches if not evenly distributed.  I increase the butter for a more richer, more buttery topping and better coverage.  Here are some options to improve coverage should you go with the standard 1 stick:

• Slice cold butter thinly and lay over the cake mix instead of drizzling melted butter — this can create more even coverage.

• Combine melted butter with a bit of milk or apple juice (2–3 tablespoons) before drizzling to stretch it without losing moisture.

• Spritz with cooking spray or lightly mist with water before baking to help the dry areas bake more evenly if sticking with 1 stick

Optional Add-ins:
For extra flavor and texture, sprinkle in chopped pecans or walnuts. You can also mix in a handful of raisins or dried cranberries with the apple filling before baking.

Craving a cozy slice of comfort? Dive into this warm Apple Spice Dump Cake and savor every bite. Don’t forget to share your homemade magic with us 💙 — we love seeing your kitchen creations come to life!