Craving the comforting flavors of pecan pie without the fuss? The Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe delivers this and more, offering a gloriously simple way to enjoy a decadent, crowd-pleasing dessert with minimal effort. This recipe is your secret weapon for effortless entertaining or a weeknight treat that tastes like it took hours.
Key Ingredients for Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe
- 1 (15-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
- 1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
How to Make Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe
This Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe is the definition of effortless indulgence. In under 20 minutes of active prep, you’ll create a dessert that boasts a gooey, rich pecan filling beneath a perfectly baked, golden cake crust. It’s a symphony of sweet, nutty flavors with a satisfying texture that will have everyone asking for seconds, offering a delightful shortcut to classic holiday desserts without any rolling or complex layering.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray. This ensures your delicious creation won’t stick.
- Craft the Pecan Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, granulated sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined. This forms the luscious base of your pecan pie filling.
- Layer the Pecans: Evenly distribute the chopped pecans over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. These will create that signature gooey pecan layer.
- Evenly Distribute Cake Mix: Open the box of yellow cake mix. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the pecans. Do not mix it or prepare it according to the box directions. Just pour it straight from the box.
- Create the Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Topping: In a separate small bowl, combine the packed light brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Stir these together to ensure the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the brown sugar.
- Sprinkle the Topping: Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over the dry cake mix. This layer will caramelize and create a delightful crust.
- Pour the Milk Mixture: Slowly and evenly pour the reserved evaporated milk mixture over the entire surface of the cake mix and brown sugar layer. Ensure you pour it all the way to the edges of the dish. You will see it start to seep down.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling around the edges. A toothpick inserted into the cake portion should come out mostly clean (a little moist is okay, as it will continue to set).
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, carefully remove the dump cake from the oven. Let it cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the gooey filling to set properly. Serve warm, as is, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Why You’ll Love This Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe
You’ll adore this Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe for its incredibly rich, deeply satisfying pecan pie flavor profile with a fraction of the effort. Unlike traditional pecan pie that requires careful crust making and filling preparation, this dump cake transforms simple ingredients into a symphony of gooey, nutty goodness beneath a buttery, caramelized topping. It’s incredibly cost-effective to whip up this dessert at home, saving you money compared to store-bought pies or bakery treats, and the melt-in-your-mouth texture is simply heavenly.
The true magic lies in how effortlessly a delicious, homemade dessert can come together, proving that exceptional flavor doesn’t need to be complicated. Imagine serving this warm, fragrant Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe at your next gathering, and watch it disappear with rave reviews! So, go ahead, gather your simple ingredients and experience the joy of this easy, yet utterly delectable, treat – you won’t regret it!
Storing and Reheating Tips
For storing leftovers of your Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe, allow it to cool completely to room temperature first. Once cooled, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the cake to an airtight container. Refrigerated, leftovers will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, you have a few options. For individual portions, a microwave is quick and easy; heat for 20-30 seconds, or until warmed through. For larger portions, you can reheat the entire dish, covered loosely with foil, in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes until warmed, or until a serving is heated. Freezing is also a great option for future enjoyment. Wrap cooled individual portions or the entire cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as described above.
Final Thoughts
The Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe is a guaranteed hit, offering all the irresistible flavors of pecan pie with ultimate ease. Give it a try for your next dessert craving; it’s a simple yet incredibly rewarding bake.
Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray. This ensures your delicious creation won’t stick.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, granulated sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined. This forms the luscious base of your pecan pie filling.1 (15-ounce) can evaporated milk, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Evenly distribute the chopped pecans over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. These will create that signature gooey pecan layer.1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
- Open the box of yellow cake mix. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the pecans. Do not mix it or prepare it according to the box directions. Just pour it straight from the box.1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
- In a separate small bowl, combine the packed light brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Stir these together to ensure the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the brown sugar.1 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over the dry cake mix. This layer will caramelize and create a delightful crust.
- Slowly and evenly pour the reserved evaporated milk mixture over the entire surface of the cake mix and brown sugar layer. Ensure you pour it all the way to the edges of the dish. You will see it start to seep down.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling around the edges. A toothpick inserted into the cake portion should come out mostly clean (a little moist is okay, as it will continue to set).
- Once baked, carefully remove the dump cake from the oven. Let it cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the gooey filling to set properly. Serve warm, as is, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.