The EASIEST pecan pie-inspired dessert—just dump, bake, and enjoy! A gooey, caramelized pecan layer forms beneath a buttery golden cake crust. Perfect for Thanksgiving, potlucks, or anytime you crave that sweet, nutty magic with zero stress!
Why You’ll Love It
5-minute prep – Just layer & bake!
No mixer, no fuss – Uses pantry staples.
Warm, buttery, caramelized – Like pecan pie meets coffee cake.
Crowd-pleaser – Always disappears fast!
Ingredients
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1 can (21 oz) pecan pie filling (or homemade: see notes)
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1 box (15 oz) yellow cake mix (or spice cake mix for extra warmth)
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, thinly sliced
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½ cup chopped pecans (optional, for extra crunch)
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Vanilla ice cream, to serve (essential!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Layer the Filling
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Spread pecan pie filling evenly in the dish.
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Sprinkle chopped pecans on top (if using).
3. Add the Cake Mix
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Dump dry cake mix evenly over the filling. Do NOT stir!
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Place butter slices on top, covering as much surface as possible.
4. Bake to Golden Perfection
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Bake for 40-45 mins until the top is deep golden and bubbling at the edges.
5. Serve Warm
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Let cool 10 mins (it thickens as it sets).
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Scoop into bowls and top with vanilla ice cream!
Pro Tips
🔸 Homemade pecan filling? Mix 1 cup corn syrup, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 eggs, 2 tbsp melted butter, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1½ cups pecans.
🔸 Butter coverage is key – Gaps = dry spots.
🔸 For extra decadence, drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.
Variations
🍎 Apple Pie Dump Cake – Use apple pie filling + cinnamon cake mix.
🍫 Chocolate Pecan – Swap yellow cake for devil’s food mix.
🥥 Coconut Pecan – Add ½ cup shredded coconut to the filling.
Storage & Reheating
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Room temp: Cover and keep for 2 days.
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Fridge: Up to 5 days (reheat in microwave with a scoop of ice cream!).
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Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for 3 months.
Final Thought
This dump cake is pure comfort—all the nostalgia of pecan pie with none of the hassle. Ideal for when you need an impressive dessert but want to keep it stupid simple!
More Easy Desserts to Try:
🍍 Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake
🍒 Cherry Cobbler Dump Cake
🍫 S’mores Dump Cake