Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Make the Pumpkin Base
In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin purée, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, and spices until smooth. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Add the Dry Layers
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the pumpkin layer. Do not stir.
Top with oats and nuts (if using).
Step 4: Add Butter
Drizzle melted butter evenly over the top. Try to cover as much of the dry cake mix as possible.
Step 5: Bake
Bake uncovered for 50–60 minutes, until golden and set in the center.
Step 6: Serve
Cool slightly, then serve warm. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Tips for Success
- Even buttering – If spots of dry cake mix remain after baking, add a drizzle of milk or cream before serving.
- Extra crunch – Add more oats or crushed graham crackers to the topping.
- Make ahead – Can be baked a day early and reheated before serving.
- Storage – Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days; best enjoyed warm.
Flavor Variations
- Caramel Pumpkin Dump Cake – Drizzle caramel sauce over the pumpkin layer before baking.
- Chocolate Twist – Add chocolate chips to the oat topping.
- Maple Pecan – Use maple syrup instead of some sugar and top with pecans.
Why This Dessert Works
The Pumpkin Oatmeal Dump Cake is the ultimate easy dessert: pumpkin pie on the bottom, buttery oatmeal crisp on top. It’s rustic, cozy, and irresistibly delicious — the kind of recipe that makes your house smell like fall and gets everyone asking for the recipe.
Final Slice
Warm, spiced, and perfectly comforting, this Pumpkin Oatmeal Dump Cake is proof that dessert doesn’t need to be complicated to be unforgettable. It’s quick to assemble, perfect for sharing, and guaranteed to become a fall favorite.
So grab a can of pumpkin, your favorite cake mix, and a baking dish — and get ready to bake the easiest (and most delicious) fall dessert ever.