Pecan Pie Dump Cake: the name itself conjures images of effortless baking and decadent flavor, doesn’t it? Forget spending hours crafting a traditional pecan pie; this recipe offers all the comforting, nutty sweetness you crave with a fraction of the effort. Imagine sinking your fork into a warm, gooey dessert where the buttery, pecan-studded topping melds seamlessly with a moist, cakey base. It’s pure bliss in every bite!

While not steeped in centuries of tradition like its pie counterpart, the dump cake has earned its place in modern culinary history as the ultimate shortcut dessert. Its beauty lies in its simplicity: just dump, spread, and bake! This particular pecan pie dump cake variation elevates the concept, bringing the beloved flavors of the classic Southern pie to a format that even the most novice baker can master.

People adore this dish for so many reasons. First, there’s the taste – the rich, caramel-like sweetness of the pecans combined with the buttery cake is simply irresistible. Then, there’s the texture – the crunchy topping contrasts beautifully with the soft, moist cake underneath. But perhaps the biggest draw is the sheer convenience. In a world where time is precious, this recipe allows you to enjoy a truly indulgent dessert without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s the perfect treat for potlucks, family gatherings, or simply a cozy night in. So, are you ready to experience the magic of a pecan pie dump cake? Let’s get baking!

Ingredients:

1 (15.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Optional: Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving

Preparing the Pecan Mixture:

Before we even think about the cake mix, let’s get our pecan topping ready. This is what gives the dump cake its signature pecan pie flavor, so we want to make sure it’s perfectly spiced and ready to go.

Combine the Pecans and Spices: In a medium-sized bowl, add your 1 cup of chopped pecans. Now, sprinkle in the 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves. These spices are what will give our dump cake that warm, comforting, pecan pie flavor.
Mix Well: Use a spoon or spatula to thoroughly combine the pecans and spices. Make sure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the pecans. This ensures that every bite will have that delicious spiced pecan flavor.
Set Aside: Once the pecans and spices are well combined, set the bowl aside. We’ll be using this mixture later to layer on top of the apple pie filling and cake mix.

Layering the Dump Cake:

Now comes the fun part – layering all the ingredients in the baking dish! This is where the “dump” in dump cake comes from. It’s super easy and requires minimal effort.

Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is preheating, grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. You can use cooking spray, butter, or shortening to grease the dish. This will prevent the dump cake from sticking to the bottom and sides of the pan.
Spread the Apple Pie Filling: Open the can of apple pie filling and spread it evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Make sure the apple pie filling covers the entire bottom of the dish. This will be the base of our dump cake.
Sprinkle the Pecan Mixture: Now, take the pecan mixture that we prepared earlier and sprinkle it evenly over the apple pie filling. Try to distribute the pecans as evenly as possible so that every bite has a good amount of pecans.
Add the Cake Mix: Open the package of yellow cake mix and sprinkle it evenly over the pecan mixture. It’s important to use the dry cake mix, do not prepare it according to the package instructions. Just sprinkle the dry mix directly over the pecans. Try to cover the entire surface of the pecans as evenly as possible. You might have some small clumps, and that’s okay.
Drizzle with Melted Butter: Pour the melted butter evenly over the dry cake mix. This is a crucial step, as the melted butter will help to moisten the cake mix and create a delicious, golden-brown crust. Make sure to drizzle the butter evenly over the entire surface of the cake mix. If you see any dry spots, try to drizzle a little extra butter on those areas.

Baking the Dump Cake:

Now that our dump cake is all layered and ready to go, it’s time to bake it in the oven. This is where the magic happens, and all the flavors come together to create a delicious and comforting dessert.

Bake in the Preheated Oven: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apple pie filling is bubbly. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so it’s important to keep an eye on the dump cake while it’s baking.
Check for Doneness: To check if the dump cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If the toothpick comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the dump cake is ready. If the toothpick comes out with wet batter, continue baking for a few more minutes and check again.
Cool Slightly: Once the dump cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. This will allow the apple pie filling to thicken up a bit and prevent it from being too runny.

Serving the Pecan Pie Dump Cake:

The best part about this Pecan Pie Dump Cake is that it’s delicious served warm, straight from the oven! But you can also let it cool completely and serve it at room temperature. Here are a few serving suggestions:

Serve Warm with Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of a warm slice of Pecan Pie Dump Cake is the perfect combination. The cold ice cream melts slightly into the warm cake, creating a delicious and comforting dessert.
Serve with Whipped Cream: If you prefer whipped cream over ice cream, that works too! A dollop of whipped cream adds a light and airy touch to the rich and decadent dump cake.
Serve Plain: Of course, you can also enjoy the Pecan Pie Dump Cake all on its own. It’s delicious enough to stand on its own without any toppings.
Storage: Store any leftover dump cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or oven before serving.

Tips and Variations:

This Pecan Pie Dump Cake is already pretty amazing, but here are a few tips and variations to make it even better:

Use Different Pie Fillings: Instead of apple pie filling, you can use other pie fillings such as cherry, blueberry, or peach. Each pie filling will give the dump cake a different flavor profile.
Add Chocolate Chips: For a chocolatey twist, sprinkle some chocolate chips over the cake mix before drizzling with melted butter.
Use Different Nuts: If you’re not a fan of pecans, you can use other nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or cashews.
Add a Glaze: For an extra touch of sweetness, you can drizzle a simple glaze over the top of the dump cake after it’s baked. To make a glaze, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the pecan mixture for a little bit of heat.
Make it Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free yellow cake mix to make this dump cake gluten-free.
Make it Vegan: Use a vegan yellow cake mix and vegan butter to make this dump cake vegan.

Troubleshooting:

Sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned in the kitchen. Here are a few common problems you might encounter when making Pecan Pie Dump Cake and how to fix them:

Cake Mix is Dry: If the cake mix is still dry after baking, it means that it didn’t get enough moisture from the melted butter. Next time, try using a little more melted butter or adding a few tablespoons of milk or water to the cake mix before baking.
Top is Burning: If the top of the dump cake is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
Apple Pie Filling is Too Runny: If the apple pie filling is too runny after baking, let the dump cake cool completely before serving. This will allow the filling to thicken up a bit. You can also add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the apple pie filling before layering it in the baking dish.
Pecans are Burning: If the pecans are burning, make sure they are chopped coarsely and evenly distributed. You can also lightly toast the pecans before adding them to the mixture to enhance their flavor and prevent burning.

Why This Recipe Works:

This Pecan Pie Dump Cake recipe is a winner for several reasons:

It’s Incredibly Easy: As the name suggests, it’s a “dump” cake, meaning you simply dump the ingredients into a baking dish and bake. No mixing or complicated steps required!
It’s Delicious: The combination of apple pie filling, spiced pecans, and yellow cake mix creates a flavor that’s reminiscent of pecan pie, but with a lighter and more cake-like texture.
It’s Versatile: You can easily customize this recipe to your liking by using different pie fillings, nuts, or spices.
It’s Perfect for Any Occ

Conclusion:

This Pecan Pie Dump Cake is truly a revelation, a dessert that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. If you’re looking for a show-stopping treat that will impress your friends and family without requiring hours in the kitchen, then look no further. The combination of the buttery cake mix, the rich pecan pie filling, and that irresistible crunchy topping creates a symphony of textures and tastes that will have everyone begging for seconds. It’s the perfect dessert for busy weeknights, holiday gatherings, or any occasion where you want to indulge in something special without the fuss.

But the best part? It’s incredibly versatile! While this recipe is fantastic as is, there are so many ways to customize it to your liking. For a truly decadent experience, try serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The contrast between the warm cake and the cold ice cream is simply divine. You could also drizzle it with caramel sauce or chocolate syrup for an extra touch of sweetness.

If you’re feeling adventurous, consider adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cake mix for a warm, spicy flavor. Or, for a more sophisticated twist, try using a different type of nut, such as walnuts or almonds, in place of the pecans. You could even add a handful of chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolate pecan pie dump cake that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Another fun variation is to bake the dump cake in individual ramekins for a more elegant presentation. This is a great option for dinner parties or special occasions. Simply divide the batter evenly among the ramekins and bake until golden brown and bubbly.

And don’t forget about the toppings! While the pecan topping is classic and delicious, you can also experiment with other options. Try adding a sprinkle of brown sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup to the topping for an extra layer of sweetness. Or, for a more savory twist, try adding a pinch of sea salt to the topping.

I truly believe that this Pecan Pie Dump Cake will become a staple in your dessert repertoire. It’s so easy to make, so delicious to eat, and so versatile that you’ll find yourself making it again and again. It’s the perfect dessert to bring to potlucks, bake sales, or any gathering where you want to impress your friends and family with your baking skills.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to experience the magic of this incredible dessert. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

And once you’ve tried it, I’d love to hear about your experience! Share your photos and comments on social media using the hashtag #PecanPieDumpCake. Let me know what variations you tried and how they turned out. I’m always looking for new and creative ways to make this recipe even better. Happy baking! I can’t wait to see what delicious creations you come up with. This recipe is a guaranteed winner, and I know you’ll love it as much as I do. Enjoy!

Pecan Pie Dump Cake: Easy Recipe & Baking Tips

Easy Pecan Pie Dump Cake with apple pie filling, spiced pecans, and yellow cake mix. A simple and delicious dessert perfect for any occasion.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time45-55 minutes

Total Time55-65 minutes

Category: Dessert

Yield: 12 servings

Save This Recipe

Ingredients

1 (15.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix

1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Optional: Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving

Instructions

Prepare the Pecan Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine chopped pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Mix well and set aside.

Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Layer the Ingredients: Spread apple pie filling evenly over the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle the pecan mixture evenly over the apple pie filling. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the pecan mixture. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the dry cake mix.

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apple pie filling is bubbly.

Cool and Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

Notes

Use different pie fillings such as cherry, blueberry, or peach.

Add chocolate chips over the cake mix before drizzling with melted butter.

Use different nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or cashews.

Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the pecan mixture for a little bit of heat.

Use a gluten-free yellow cake mix to make this dump cake gluten-free.

Use a vegan yellow cake mix and vegan butter to make this dump cake vegan.

Pecan Pie Dump Cake: Easy Recipe & Baking Tips