Pecan Pie Dump Cake – A Gooey, Buttery, Irresistible Twist on a Classic
Pecan pie lovers, rejoice — this is the dessert of your dreams… simplified! Meet the Pecan Pie Dump Cake — an incredibly easy, ultra-decadent dessert that captures all the flavors of traditional pecan pie with half the effort.
This recipe combines buttery yellow cake mix, sticky-sweet pecan filling, and crunchy pecans, all baked into a gooey, golden dessert that’s as cozy as a hug from grandma. No pie crust, no mixing bowls full of mess — just layer, bake, and swoon.
It’s the perfect crowd-pleaser for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Christmas, or any time you need a quick, cozy dessert that feels like it took hours. Top it off with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got a treat that’s pure comfort in every bite.
If you enjoy traditional pecan pie or dump cakes like apple or pumpkin, this one’s going to be your new favorite.
Equipment
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Nonstick cooking spray or butter
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Can opener
- Spatula or spoon
- Oven mitts
- Optional: whisk (if mixing eggs into filling)
Ingredients
Wet Filling:
- 1 can 15 oz pecan pie filling (or 1½ cups homemade pecan filling)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cake & Topping:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1½ cups pecans roughly chopped
- 1 cup 2 sticks butter, sliced into thin pats
- ½ tsp cinnamon optional, for warmth
- Pinch of salt
🥄 The eggs help give this dump cake a slightly more “pie-like” texture in the center — gooey, rich, and sliceable!
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Step 2: Pour the Filling
- In a bowl, whisk together:
- Pecan pie filling
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pour into the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
🥧 This step mimics the base of a classic pecan pie — sticky, sweet, and irresistible.
Step 3: Add the Cake Mix
- Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the filling layer. Do not stir.
- Gently smooth with the back of a spoon to form a flat top.
Step 4: Add Pecans and Butter
- Sprinkle chopped pecans evenly over the cake mix layer.
- Lay thin slices of butter across the entire surface, covering as much area as possible.
🧈 As it bakes, the butter melts down, saturating the cake mix and forming a golden, crispy top layer.
Step 5: Bake
- Bake at 350°F for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
- Let cool for 15–20 minutes before serving.
🔥 The center should be gooey but not raw — it will set more as it cools.
Notes
🔁 Variations
1. Chocolate Chip Pecan Dump Cake
Sprinkle ½ cup mini chocolate chips over the cake mix before baking. 2. Salted Caramel Pecan Cake
Drizzle ¼ cup salted caramel sauce into the filling layer before adding cake mix. 3. Maple Pecan Version
Replace ½ of the butter with maple syrup butter for a deeper, fall-forward flavor. 4. Gluten-Free Option
Use a gluten-free yellow cake mix — all other ingredients are naturally GF. 5. Apple Pecan Twist
Add a layer of thinly sliced apples beneath the pecan pie filling for added texture. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freezer:
Freeze cooled squares in a single layer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Reheat:
Microwave individual servings for 20–30 seconds, or reheat in oven at 300°F for 10 minutes. 🍦 Best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream! ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use homemade pecan pie filling?
Absolutely! Use about 1½ cups of your favorite homemade filling. 2. What if I don’t have pecan pie filling?
Mix together: 1 cup corn syrup, 1 cup brown sugar, 3 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1½ cups chopped pecans 3. Why do I need eggs?
They help set the filling and give the dump cake a gooier, custard-like texture. 4. Is this cake more like pie or cake?
It’s a perfect hybrid — gooey on the bottom, crispy-cakey on top. 5. Can I use butter substitutes?
Stick with real butter for best results. Margarine or oil may not yield the same texture. 6. Should I stir the cake mix?
Nope! Layer it dry — that’s the signature dump cake method. 7. Can I make it in advance?
Yes — bake, cool, and store in the fridge. Reheat before serving. 8. Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes! Cook on LOW for 3–4 hours. You won’t get the same crisp topping, but it’ll be gooey and delish. 9. Is this good for Thanksgiving?
It’s PERFECT for Thanksgiving — all the pecan pie vibes, without the stress of pie dough. 10. What should I serve it with?
Vanilla ice cream Whipped cream Chopped toasted pecans Cinnamon dusting ✅ Conclusion
This Pecan Pie Dump Cake is the ultimate easy dessert that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. It’s rich, buttery, nutty, and sweet — everything you love about pecan pie, without the fuss of making a crust or carefully layering ingredients. Just dump, bake, and dive into the gooey-crunchy comfort of this irresistible treat. It's perfect for holidays, cozy nights in, or anytime you want something sweet and satisfying. Looking for more cozy bakes? Pumpkin Dump Cake Apple Cinnamon Cobbler Southern Chess Bars
1. Chocolate Chip Pecan Dump Cake
Sprinkle ½ cup mini chocolate chips over the cake mix before baking. 2. Salted Caramel Pecan Cake
Drizzle ¼ cup salted caramel sauce into the filling layer before adding cake mix. 3. Maple Pecan Version
Replace ½ of the butter with maple syrup butter for a deeper, fall-forward flavor. 4. Gluten-Free Option
Use a gluten-free yellow cake mix — all other ingredients are naturally GF. 5. Apple Pecan Twist
Add a layer of thinly sliced apples beneath the pecan pie filling for added texture. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freezer:
Freeze cooled squares in a single layer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Reheat:
Microwave individual servings for 20–30 seconds, or reheat in oven at 300°F for 10 minutes. 🍦 Best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream! ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use homemade pecan pie filling?
Absolutely! Use about 1½ cups of your favorite homemade filling. 2. What if I don’t have pecan pie filling?
Mix together: 1 cup corn syrup, 1 cup brown sugar, 3 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1½ cups chopped pecans 3. Why do I need eggs?
They help set the filling and give the dump cake a gooier, custard-like texture. 4. Is this cake more like pie or cake?
It’s a perfect hybrid — gooey on the bottom, crispy-cakey on top. 5. Can I use butter substitutes?
Stick with real butter for best results. Margarine or oil may not yield the same texture. 6. Should I stir the cake mix?
Nope! Layer it dry — that’s the signature dump cake method. 7. Can I make it in advance?
Yes — bake, cool, and store in the fridge. Reheat before serving. 8. Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes! Cook on LOW for 3–4 hours. You won’t get the same crisp topping, but it’ll be gooey and delish. 9. Is this good for Thanksgiving?
It’s PERFECT for Thanksgiving — all the pecan pie vibes, without the stress of pie dough. 10. What should I serve it with?
Vanilla ice cream Whipped cream Chopped toasted pecans Cinnamon dusting ✅ Conclusion
This Pecan Pie Dump Cake is the ultimate easy dessert that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. It’s rich, buttery, nutty, and sweet — everything you love about pecan pie, without the fuss of making a crust or carefully layering ingredients. Just dump, bake, and dive into the gooey-crunchy comfort of this irresistible treat. It's perfect for holidays, cozy nights in, or anytime you want something sweet and satisfying. Looking for more cozy bakes? Pumpkin Dump Cake Apple Cinnamon Cobbler Southern Chess Bars