Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

The best Pumpkin Crunch Cake is an easy to make fall or Thanksgiving dessert with all the flavors of a pumpkin pie with a yummy crunchy topping.  It is delicious served with my special whipped cream topping or ice cream.  You can even eat it straight out of the pan!  Start with the pie filling, top it with yellow cake mix, chopped pecans, melted butter and then bake.   You will love the pumpkin, spices and crunch of this special fall treat.

 

Baked pumpkin cake

 

Pumpkin cake with whipped cream

 

Ingredients needed to make Pumpkin Crunch Cake:

 

Cake ingredients

 

  • 15 oz can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 12 oz can evaporated milk
  • 3 large eggs at room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
  • 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted (2 sticks)

 

Whipped Cream Topping: (optional)

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

 

How to make Pumpkin Crunch Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. (I like to use a glass pan)
  • In a large bowl, whisk the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and salt together until smooth and well combined.
  • Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared pan.
  • Sprinkle the entire box of dry cake mix evenly over the top of the pumpkin batter.

 

Mix pumpkin ingredients together    Pumpkin on bottom of pan    Dry cake mix on top of pumpkin

 

  • Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the cake mix.
  • Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the entire cake.
  • Bake for 50-60 minutes (check the cake at about 35-40 minutes and if it’s becoming too brown place a piece of tinfoil over the top and continue baking for about 10 minutes or until pumpkin mixture is set.)

 

Pecans on top of cake mix    Pour melted butter on top evenly    Baked pumpkin dessert

 

  • Let the cake cool on a wire rack.
  • If you aren’t going to serve it right away place it in the refrigerator.

 

Baked pumpkin crunch cake

 

  • Make the whipped cream topping while the cake is cooling.  In a large mixing bowl whip the cream cheese until light with a hand mixer.  Add in the whipping cream and whip until it is combined and starting to become thick.  Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and whip until smooth.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • When ready to serve you can cut into squares or just spoon the cake out of the pan.  Top with whipped cream topping or ice cream if desired.

 

Pumpkin cake

 

Side view pumpkin crunch

 

Pumpkin crunch cake

 

  • Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Do not freeze.

 

Other yummy recipes to try:

 

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

LeAnn
The best Pumpkin Crunch Cake is an easy to make fall or Thanksgiving dessert with all the flavors of a pumpkin pie with a yummy crunchy topping. 
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15

Ingredients
  

  • 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1 12 oz can evaporated milk
  • 3 large eggs at room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 box dry yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
  • 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted (2 sticks)

Whipped Cream Topping:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. (I like to use a glass pan)
  • In a large bowl, whisk the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and salt together until smooth and well combined.
  • Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared pan.
  • Sprinkle the entire box of dry cake mix evenly over the top of the pumpkin batter.
  • Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the cake mix.
  • Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the entire cake.
  • Bake for 50-60 minutes (check the cake at about 35-40 minutes and if it's becoming too brown place a piece of tinfoil over the top and continue baking for about 10 minutes or until pumpkin mixture is set.)
  • Let the cake cool on a wire rack. If you aren't going to serve it right away place it in the refrigerator.
  • Make the whipped cream topping while the cake is cooling.  In a large mixing bowl whip the cream cheese until light with a hand mixer.  Add in the whipping cream and whip until it is combined and starting to become thick.  Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and whip until smooth.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • When ready to serve you can cut into squares of just spoon the cake out of the pan and top with whipped cream topping or ice cream if desired.
  • Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I would not recommend freezing this cake.
Keyword Pumpkin Crunch Cake, Pumpkin Crunch, Pumpkin Crunch Dessert