🥧 Pecan Pie Dump Cake – A Gooey, Buttery Southern Dessert Everyone Loves
If you crave a dessert that tastes like pecan pie and warm buttery cake had a sweet little baby, then pecan pie dump cake is your new best friend. It’s one of the easiest holiday desserts—no mixers, no rolling dough, no stress. You literally dump, bake, and enjoy. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, backyard cookouts, or last-minute dessert emergencies.
This isn’t just another pecan pie dump cake recipe. It’s a complete hub—covering variations, Pioneer Woman style, the crockpot method, condensed milk versions, southern classics, apple pecan pie dump cake twists, and even chocolate upgrades. Because one version is never enough.
1. What is Pecan Pie Dump Cake?
A dump cake is one of the simplest desserts ever. Instead of mixing batter like a traditional cake, you:
- Dump pie filling into a dish
- Sprinkle cake mix on top
- Add butter
- Bake into gooey perfection
This version combines pecan pie filling + yellow cake mix + butter, giving you the gooey inside of pecan pie and the crumbly top of a butter cake.
2. Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you need for the basic pecan pie dump cake with yellow cake mix:
Dump Cake Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix (Butter Golden works too)
- 2 cans pecan pie filling (or homemade)
- 1 cup chopped pecans (extra crunch)
- 1 stick butter (thin slices or melted)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract (optional)
- Pinch of cinnamon/nutmeg (warm flavor)
Optional but amazing upgrades:
🍫 chocolate chips (for chocolate pecan pie dump cake)
🍎 apple filling (for apple pecan pie dump cake)
🎃 pumpkin blend (for pumpkin pecan pie dump cake)
If you love creamy richness, try pecan pie dump cake recipe with condensed milk. Just drizzle over top before baking.
3. Step-by-Step: How to Make Pecan Pie Dump Cake
You don’t need to be a baker — trust me, this is beginner-proof.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Step 2: Grease a 9×13 baking dish
Step 3: Spread pecan pie filling evenly in pan
Step 4: Sprinkle cake mix across the top (don’t stir)
Step 5: Add pecans + butter slices across surface
Step 6: Bake 45–55 minutes until golden + bubbling
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Your kitchen will smell insane.
4. Pioneer Woman + Southern Living Style Variations
Southern-Style Swap Ideas
✔ Add brown sugar + cinnamon on top
✔ Use butter pecan cake mix instead of yellow
✔ Mix chopped pecans into the filling
Pioneer Woman Inspired Tip
She often uses thick butter slices instead of melted for crispy top + richer flavor.
5. Crock Pot / Slow Cooker Version
Perfect for holidays or days when the oven is busy.
How to make crockpot dump cake:
- Grease slow cooker
- Add pecan filling
- Top with cake mix
- Add butter over top
- Cook 3–4 hours on LOW
It stays moist, gooey, and warm—ideal for serving guests buffet-style.
6. Flavor Variations (You’ll Make These Again)
Dump cakes shine because you can twist the flavors endlessly.
🍫 Chocolate Pecan Pie Dump Cake
Add chocolate chips between filling + cake mix.
🍎 Apple Pecan Pie Dump Cake
Mix apple pie filling + pecans + cake mix
🎃 Pumpkin Pecan Pie Dump Cake
Blend pumpkin puree + condensed milk into filling.
Rich Caramel Drizzle Version
Finish with caramel sauce while warm — thank me later.
Make it your signature holiday dessert — zero extra stress.
7. Storage + Reheat Guide
- Store in fridge: 4–5 days
- Freeze: up to 2 months
- Reheat single slices: 20 sec microwave
- Reheat entire tray: 300°F oven for 10 minutes
It gets even better the next day.
8. Smart Kitchen Automation Tips (Bonus Value)
A fun twist you won’t see in most food blogs:
• Use smart oven preheat scheduling
• Monitor bake time with voice timers
• Plug slow cooker into smart plug for auto shutoff
• Smart thermostat keeps home cozy during dessert time
Tech meets dessert magic.
Conclusion
Pecan pie dump cake is warm, cozy, nostalgic, and unbelievably easy. Whether you try the classic pecan pie dump cake recipe with cake mix, a Pioneer Woman style version, or go wild with chocolate, apple, pumpkin, or crockpot variations, this dessert brings people together around the table.
Bake it for holidays, family dinners, potlucks, or nights when you just want something sweet without effort.
Save this recipe, pin it, share it — and enjoy every buttery bite.
4 Comments