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Pecan Pie Dump Cake – Easy Gooey Dessert with Cake Mix

Pecan Pie Dump Cake – Easy Gooey Dessert with Cake Mix

This pecan pie dump cake combines a gooey brown sugar and pecan filling with a buttery yellow cake mix topping. It bakes into a rich dessert with crunchy pecans, caramel-like filling, and a golden, crisp-edged top.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 650 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Pecan Filling

  • 2 cups chopped pecans about 220g
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar 200g
  • 1 cup light corn syrup 320g
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted (113g)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Cake Topping

  • 1 box yellow cake mix 15.25 ounces / 432g, dry
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter melted (170g)
  • 1 cup pecan halves about 110g

For Serving

  • Vanilla ice cream optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
  • Whisk the brown sugar, corn syrup, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon until smooth and glossy.
  • Stir the chopped pecans into the filling.
  • Pour the pecan mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the filling. Do not stir.
  • Slowly drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix, covering as much of the surface as possible.
  • Scatter the pecan halves evenly over the top.
  • Bake at 350°F for 40–45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
  • Remove from the oven and let rest for at least 15 minutes so the filling can thicken slightly.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream if desired.

Notes

  • Do not stir the dry cake mix into the pecan filling. The separate layers are what create the characteristic dump-cake texture. When drizzling the butter, spread it as evenly as possible over the dry mix to minimize dry patches.