Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Name: Pumpkin Crunch Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 15 ounces pumpkin puree; 1 ½ cup half and half; ¾ cup sugar; ¼ cup light brown sugar (packed); 2 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice; 4 large eggs; 1 box yellow cake mix; 1½ cup pecans (chopped ); 1 cup butter (melted ); whipped topping (optional)

Pumpkin crunch cake is a fall dessert that’s the ultimate combo of moist cake mix and crunchy pecans.

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Table of Contents

PUMPKIN CRUNCH CAKE INGREDIENTS
HOW TO MAKE THIS PUMPKIN CRUNCH CAKE RECIPE
HOW TO SERVE
STORAGE
MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
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Pumpkin crunch cake is a decadent pumpkin treat that uses simple ingredients to create a great alternative to traditional pumpkin pie. Top it off with a pecan crunch topping, and you have a perfect pumpkin fall dessert.

If you’re a fan of all things pumpkin, this Pumpkin Dump Cake is a warm dessert that’s full of spiced pumpkin flavor, and these Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes are one of our all-time favorite pumpkin spice treats!

close up shot of a slice of Pumpkin Crunch Cake topped with whipped topping on a plate

PUMPKIN CRUNCH CAKE INGREDIENTS

Pumpkin Crunch Cake raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
1½ cups half and half
¾ cups sugar
¼ cups packed light brown sugar
2½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
4 large eggs
1 box of yellow cake mix
1½ cups chopped pecans
1 cup melted butter
whipped topping (optional)

PRO TIP:

Watch out when you are at the grocery store that you buy pure pumpkin purée and not canned pumpkin pie filling.

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

PECANS: Adding pecans to the top of your pumpkin crunch cake is what gives it the “crunch” however, you could leave these out if you prefer. You could also substitute a different nut like crushed walnuts or cashews in place of the pecans.

CAKE MIX: You can use any brand of boxed cake mix for this delicious pumpkin crunch cake. I like to stick to the yellow cake, but there are other cake flavors that would work just fine. White cake, vanilla, or French vanilla would also taste good.

HOW TO MAKE THIS PUMPKIN CRUNCH CAKE RECIPE

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.

STEP TWO: Using a stand mixer or a large bowl with an electric mixer, combine pumpkin puree, half and half, sugars, and pumpkin pie spice.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake process shot of ingredients in a measuring cup

STEP THREE: Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after adding each egg. Mix until all of the ingredients are well blended.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake process shot of ingredients being blended together in a measuring cup

STEP FOUR: Pour the pumpkin mixture from the bowl into the prepared baking dish.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake process shot of pumpkin mixture being poured into baking dish

STEP FIVE: Sprinkle dry cake mix over the pumpkin mixture in your baking dish.

STEP SIX: Sprinkle pecans in an even layer over the top of the dry cake mix, then drizzle melted butter over the pecans.

PRO TIP:

If you can’t find chopped pecans, you can buy them whole and either chop them with a knife or put them in a Ziploc bag and crush them into smaller pieces with a rolling pin.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake process shot of melted butter poured on top of ingredients in a baking dish

STEP SEVEN: In the preheated oven, bake the pumpkin crunch cake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake process shot of cake after being baked in a baking dish

STEP EIGHT: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely before serving.

STEP NINE: Serve with whipped topping, if desired.

HOW TO SERVE

Top this moist pumpkin cake with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This would be a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table.

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STORAGE

IN THE FRIDGE: It’s best to store pumpkin pecan crunch cake in the fridge in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap to keep it moist and fresh. Pumpkin cake will last in the fridge for up to three days.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze this pumpkin cake recipe to keep longer. I like to cut individual pieces and freeze them separately for a single serving later on. Pumpkin crunch cake will last for up to 4 months this way.

Pumpkin crunch cake is a fall dessert that’s the ultimate combo of moist cake mix and crunchy pecans. It satisfies every sweet craving. Best of all, it’s easy to make using box cake mix and canned pumpkin puree. You will love this delicious and flavorful pumpkin dessert.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use a spice cake instead of a yellow cake mix?

This easy pumpkin crunch cake would be delicious using a spice cake mix instead of yellow cake.

Can I leave out the nuts as there is a nut allergy in our family?

You can leave off the nuts entirely or substitute them for graham cracker pieces or Skor bits for a bit of crunch

Can I use homemade pumpkin puree?

If you prefer to use homemade pumpkin puree, you are more than welcome to.

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Pumpkin Crunch Cake

5 from 3 votes

Pumpkin crunch cake is a fall dessert that’s the ultimate combo of moist cake mix and crunchy pecans.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Servings slices

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Ingredients

15 ounces pumpkin puree
1 ½ cup half and half
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar packed
2 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
4 large eggs
1 box yellow cake mix
1½ cup pecans chopped
1 cup butter melted
whipped topping optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spray a 9×13 baking dish.
Using a stand mixer or large mixing bowl. Combine pumpkin puree, half and half, sugars, and pumpkin pie spice.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each egg, until all ingredients are well blended.
Pour pumpkin mixture into greased 9×13 baking dish.
Spread dry yellow cake mix over pumpkin mixture.
Sprinkle pecans over dry cake mix.
Drizzle melted butter over pecans.
In a preheated oven, bake pumpkin crunch cake for 45 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted in center of cake comes out clean.
Remove cake and allow to cool completely before serving.
Serve with whipped topping, if desired.

Notes

TIP: Watch out when you are at the grocery store that you buy pure pumpkin purée and not canned pumpkin pie filling.

TIP: If you can’t find chopped pecans, you can buy them whole and either chop them with a knife or put them in a Ziploc bag and crush them into smaller pieces with a rolling pin.