This 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe is moist and delicious. An easy pumpkin dessert for Autumn packed with tons of flavor. All you need is yellow cake mix and pumpkin.
Whether you make it for Thanksgiving or Christmas, your family and friends will love it. All it takes is only 2 ingredients. If that’s hard to believe, give it a try and tell me it’s not delicious.
After you’ve made it once, you’ll be begging me for all the different variations on this traditional pumpkin and cake mix recipe. And don’t worry, I’ve got a few variations up my sleeve.
Why This Two-Ingredient Pumpkin Cake Works
Everyone loves simple and easy baking recipes. And if you’re a super fan of pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin muffins, or pumpkin pie, you’re definitely going to love this recipe!
This cake works so well because you’re taking something that’s already delicious, boxed cake mix, and adding canned pumpkin. That’s it! You really couldn’t make an easier pumpkin recipe.
But beyond that, this cake recipe is so versatile and can be played up with additional ingredients such as using pumpkin spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix, adding cream cheese frosting, brown sugar crumble, or chopped pecans. When I was a kid, my whole family loved pumpkin pie and it went fast! Of all my siblings though, I was the smallest and a little timid. just me. So, when fall would come around and my mom would make a pumpkin pie, she would always save me a big slice. And, as an adult, I still love pumpkin pie. And it probably has a lot to do with this found memory.
What is a dump cake?
Before we tackle this 2 ingredient pumpkin cake, let’s chat about dump cakes. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of a dump cake, don’t worry. It’s the easiest type of cake you can make. Dump cakes typically use a boxed dry cake mix and get the term dump cake because you’re typically dumping everything together in a pan and letting it bake.
You’ve probably seen tons of “dump cakes” that use fruit filling and a box cake mix to make something similar to a cobbler or crumble.
Some common fruit dump cakes you’ll come across on the internet include cherry dump cake, blueberry crunch dump cake, and apple dump cake.
But this two Ingredient Pumpkin Cake is more cake-like and less cobbler-like. It’s perfect for the holiday season and when you’re looking for warm spicy aromas to fill your home. Ready to get baking?
How to Make 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Cake
Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 box of yellow cake mix (your favorite brand)
- 1 15 oz. can of canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- Cream cheese frosting (optional)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 baking dish or 2 standard loaf pans.
- In a large bowl, mix together your dry cake mix and canned pumpkin puree.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pans. The batter will be thick, so spread it as evenly as possible in the pan.
- Bake for 25 – 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
How to Serve 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Dump Cake
There are so many different ways to serve this cake. Below are two family favorites.
How to Serve Pumpkin Cake – Two Different Ways
In our house, we love this pumpkin cake in two different ways:
- The first way is straight out of the oven with hot cocoa or coffee.
- The second way is with an added glaze to the top while it’s still warm.
Below is my recipe for the spiced glaze.
Spiced Glaze Recipe
- 1 1/2 cups powder sugar
- 3 tablespoons apple cider or orange juice
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
mix all of the glaze ingredients together thoroughly until combined.
Poke holes in the cake using a wooden skewer. pour the glaze over the top of the cake and into the holes. Serve warm.
You can see just how moist this pumpkin dessert is. No one will ever know it is only TWO ingredients!! The glaze is not overpowering either. It adds a bit more sweetness with all the flavors of fall in the pumpkin pie spice. Simply wonderful.
Can you use pumpkin pie mix in this cake?
Using pumpkin pie mix with this recipe would make a very different cake, and would need a different cooking time. If you’re looking for more of a pumpkin pie flavor, I recommend using spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix. Then add the pureed canned pumpkin.
Variations on 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Dump Cake
There are so many ways to dress up this cake. Below are just a few of my favorites.
Cream cheese frosting – I have to recommend it. Because cream cheese frosting should be its own food group. Seriously. If you need help in this department, here is a no-fail recipe for cream cheese frosting.
Add various toppings – Try throwing together your favorite toppings onto this pumpkin cake when it’s straight out of the oven. A great topping is a mixture of brown sugar and chopped pecans. You can even throw them in a food processor for a few pulses to get your preferred consistency and save your arm from the chopping.
Mix in topping to the batter – I have a bit of chocolate obsession. I recommend throwing in some dark chocolate (80% cacao or even higher!) into the batter. The combo of the not-to-sweet chocolate with the sweetness of the cake is a great combination.
Can I add Pumpkin Spice to My 2 Ingredient Cake?
You absolutely can add pumpkin spice to this cake. If you’re looking for a warmer spicier flavor either add pumpkin spice to your yellow cake mix and pumpkin puree mixture or use spice boxed cake mix instead of yellow cake mix.
But if you’re like me, you probably always have a jar of pumpkin spice in your cabinet. From shaking it into my coffee or even mixing it into some vanilla ice cream. If you don’t have a jar in your pantry below are a few of my favorite brands:
You can see just how moist this pumpkin dessert is. No one will ever know it is only two ingredients. The glaze is not overpowering either. It adds a bit more sweetness with all the flavors of fall in the pumpkin pie spice. Simply wonderful.
This cake is so amazing, I now make it multiple times a year. Not just in the fall. Even my picky teens enjoy making this Two Ingredient Pumpkin Cake, not to mention eating it.
Is pumpkin healthy?
What many people don’t know is that pumpkin is actually a very healthy ingredient. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which makes it great for your health.
Pumpkin is a great source of Vitamin A, which is important for vision, the immune system, and skin health. It’s also a good source of fiber, which can help with digestion and weight loss.
What is pumpkin spice?
Pumpkin spice is a blend of spices typically used to flavor pumpkin pie. The most common spices include cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. Some variations also include allspice, mace or cardamom.
Pumpkin spice can also be used to flavor other dishes as well, such as coffee, oatmeal, muffins, and cookies.
Moist Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix your favorite brand
- 1 15 oz. can of pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease and flour a 9 x 13 baking dish or 2 standard loaf pans.
- Mix together your cake mix and pumpkin.
- Pour the batter in the prepared pans. The batter will be thick spread it as evenly as possible in the pan.
- Bake for 25 – 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Nutrition
More Pumpkin Recipes
Looking for pumpkin spice and pumpkin-inspired recipes? Below are a few of my favorites.
Moist & Delicious Pumpkin Bread
Have Questions or suggestions? Leave them in the comments below. Until next time: Stay salty, and sweet 😉
Genius! Simple and easy and yet looks and sounds so delish. Have to look for pumpkin puree and not the pie filling though, Thanks.
I find it right in the baking aisle. This time of year its usually in 3 or 4 places around the store. Have fun!
Now that looks so good and easy…two of my favorite words!
So important to realize that baking is a science. I’ve ruined many a recipe by trying to get too creative. This recipe looks fool-proof for someone like me!!
It sure is, but this recipe is easy enough for even the baking-challenged. Surprise the family and make it!
Need to put this on my grocery list for Thanksgiving.
Definitely! You won’t be sorry.
oh yes even i could make this im not much of a baker but i so want to try this defiantly added to my shopping list
Yes! you totally could. That’s the best part. anyone can do it. Even the non-baker 🙂
Looks yummy and very moist! I like easy especially when I’m in a lazy baking mood. Will try!
This might be a dumb question…do you add anything to the cake mix, like eggs etc. or just mix and puree?
Thanks
Jennifer
nope nothing but the dry mix and the puree. super simple and delish! I hope you’re able to give it a try Jennifer. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Thanks so much! Can’t wait to try it: )
Anyone try this using chocolate cake mix? I make this for the vegan in our house but would like to make it in chocolate for his birthday. Any insight as to how it might come out would be great.
I would love the answer to this, too!
Dies this work for making cupcakes ? Looking for simple moist pumpkin cupcakes for a wedding. Frosting with cream cheese frosting.
Why can’t I use pie filling?
Pie filling usually has spices and other additives already added in. pumpkin puree is just pumpkin.
I’m going to try this in the instant pot. Do you have any suggestions?
I make this with devil’s food cake mix and throw in a few semi sweet chocolate chips, adding the pumpkin and bake as directed. It is wonderful!! You can also sprinkle some confectionary sugar on top when it’s done.
I know it’s just July but I’m already prepping for Xmas. I just need something to do inside when it’s so hot in AZ! Tried this last night and it was a hit. Adding to my list for thanksgiving and Christmas.