Gooey, Nutty One-Pan Dessert
Pecan Pie Dump Cake is the dessert to make when you want classic pecan pie flavor without the work. With just a handful of ingredients—corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, pecans and a box of cake mix—you simply layer everything in a pan and bake until bubbly and golden. The result is a gooey, buttery, nutty dessert perfect for potlucks, holidays and effortless entertaining.
Prep Time: ~20 minutes
Cook Time: ~40–45 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour (including cooling)
Ingredients
Cooking spray for a 13×9-inch pan
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup dark corn syrup
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup salted butter, melted (divided)
3½ cups pecan halves, divided
1 box (13.25 oz) butter yellow cake mix
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a bowl combine eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, cream, vanilla and ½ cup melted butter. Stir in 2 cups of the pecans. Pour mixture into the prepared dish.
Sprinkle the dry cake mix and pumpkin pie spice evenly over the pecan filling.
Drizzle the remaining ½ cup melted butter over the top. Sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups pecans as the topping.
Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Cover with foil and continue baking about 20 more minutes until golden brown and no dry cake mix remains.
Cool at least 15 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips (FAQ-Style)
Why is it called a dump cake?
Because you simply layer or “dump” the ingredients into the pan without mixing everything together. The cake mix forms a crusty, golden topping as it bakes.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes—bake it ahead and store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Reheat gently before serving.
What can I serve it with?
Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce complement the warm, gooey texture perfectly.
Nutrition Summary
A sweet, rich pecan dessert with buttery cake mix topping.
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/12 of pan | ~470 kcal | ~6 g | ~59 g | ~22 g | ~2 g | ~38 g |
| Nutrition facts are estimated. |
