Amazing 1 Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe

September 28, 2025
Written By Eleanor Vance

Eleanor "Ellie" Vance is the heart and soul behind DeliceRecipe.com, dedicated to bringing deliciously easy recipes to every American home. Growing up with a rich tapestry of culinary influences from her grandmother's European traditions and her mother's American classics, Ellie developed a profound love for cooking and sharing food. After a successful career in marketing and communications, she channeled her passion and professional skills into creating DeliceRecipe. Her mission is to demystify cooking, making it an enjoyable and accessible experience for home cooks of all skill levels. Ellie meticulously develops and tests every recipe, ensuring they are not only bursting with flavor but also simple to follow using everyday ingredients. She believes that delicious meals shouldn't be complicated, and her approachable style and practical tips have made her a trusted culinary guide for countless American families.

Oh, you guys are going to LOVE this recipe! If you’re looking for a dessert that screams Southern comfort and is so easy you’ll wonder if you accidentally skipped a step, then this pecan pie dump cake is your new best friend. Honestly, it’s the perfect thing to whip up when the holidays roll around and you’re juggling a million things, or hey, even just for a Tuesday! At DeliceRecipe, we’re all about food that brings folks together, and this cake? It absolutely nails that cozy, get-your-happy-on feeling without any fussy fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Pecan Pie Dump Cake

Seriously, you’re going to adore this dessert. Here’s why:

  • It’s ridiculously easy. Like, minimal effort, maximum reward easy!
  • You get that luscious pecan pie flavor with hardly any work. A true Southern dump cake dream!
  • It’s the perfect ‘easy holiday dessert’ when you’re busy but still want something special.
  • The warm, gooey, buttery goodness is pure comfort food.

Ingredients for Your Southern Dump Cake

Okay, let’s talk ingredients! This is where the magic *really* starts to happen, and trust me, you probably have most of this stuff already. Here’s what you’ll need for this amazing Southern dump cake:

  • 1 box (about 15.25 oz) of good ol’ yellow cake mix – use the kind you love!
  • 1 cup of chopped pecans – make sure they’re nice and chunky!
  • 1 cup (that’s 2 sticks) of unsalted butter, all melted and ready to go
  • 1 jar (about 12 oz) of caramel ice cream topping – yes, the yummy kind!
  • 1 can (21 oz) of cherry pie filling – this layer is crucial!

How to Make a Perfect Pecan Pie Dump Cake

Alright, let’s get this wonderful southern dump cake into the oven! It’s so simple, you’ll feel like a baking wizard. Just follow these super easy steps, and you’ll have a warm dessert recipe that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Trust me, folks!

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish and Oven

First things first! Preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, grab your trusty 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a good grease. This little step makes sure our delicious creation doesn’t stick around where it shouldn’t!

Step 2: Layer the Filling and Pecans

Now, pour that 21-ounce can of cherry pie filling right into the bottom of your greased dish. Spread it out evenly – you want that sweet, fruity layer to cover the whole pan. Then, sprinkle your chopped pecans all over the top of the cherry filling. Get them into all those little nooks and crannies!

Step 3: Add the Butter and Cake Mix

Carefully pour your melted butter over the pecans. Try to get it as evenly distributed as possible. This is going to help get that cake mix nice and toasty. Next, grab that box of yellow cake mix and sprinkle it dry, right over the butter and pecans. Make sure you cover the whole gooey layer!

Step 4: Drizzle and Bake Your Pecan Pie Dump Cake

Here comes the best part for this pecan pie dump cake! Drizzle that caramel ice cream topping all over the dry cake mix. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly even; it’ll melt into a dreamy caramel river while it bakes. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for about 40 to 50 minutes. You’re looking for a beautiful golden brown top that’s all bubbly and gorgeous.

Step 5: Cool and Serve Warm

Once it’s golden and bubbly, pull this amazing dump cake out of the oven. Let it cool just a little bit – maybe 10-15 minutes. You want it warm enough to be gooey but not so hot that it’ll melt your ice cream instantly (though that’s not a bad problem to have!).

Tips for the Best Pecan Pie Dump Cake

Okay, so you’ve got the recipe, but let’s chat about how to make this pecan pie dump cake absolutely, positively *perfect* every single time. It’s already so easy, but a few little tricks can really elevate it. For starters, make SURE that dry cake mix is sprinkled on *bone dry* – don’t let any moisture sneak in there before it hits the oven. Also, if your oven tends to brown things too fast, you can always loosely tent a piece of foil over the top partway through baking. And don’t skimp on that melted butter; it’s crucial for getting that dreamy, golden-brown crust on your southern dump cake!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

We love this pecan pie dump cake just the way it is, but sometimes you gotta get a little creative in the kitchen, right? If you can’t find yellow cake mix, a spice cake or even a butter pecan cake mix works wonderfully for an extra layer of flavor! And if pecans aren’t your thing, or maybe you’re out, chopped walnuts or even slivered almonds are a pretty good swap in this southern dump cake. Just use what you love!

Making Ahead and Storing Your Dump Cake

This pecan pie dump cake is fantastic because you can totally make parts of it ahead, or even bake it fully and reheat! If you want to get a head start, you can measure out your dry ingredients – the cake mix and pecans – and keep them in a sealed baggie. When it’s go-time, just layer everything else and bake. If you have leftovers (unlikely, but possible!), just cover the dish tightly or transfer it to an airtight container and keep it at room temp for a day, or pop it in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently in a low oven or microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pecan Pie Dump Cake

Got questions about whipping up this amazing pecan pie dump cake? I’ve got you covered! Dump cakes are supposed to be easy, but sometimes a little guidance makes all the difference.

Can I use a different pie filling in this southern dump cake?

You bet! While cherry is fantastic with the caramel and pecans, apple or blueberry pie filling would also be delicious in this southern dump cake. Just know that it’ll change the flavor profile a bit – think of it as a fun twist!

What is the best way to serve this warm dessert recipe?

Oh, this warm dessert recipe is just begging for some company! The absolute best way is to serve it warm, right out of the oven (after it cools just a bit, of course!). A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into the gooey caramel and pecans? Perfection! Whipped cream is also a fantastic choice.

How long does this easy holiday dessert last?

This delightful easy holiday dessert is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers are great too! Store any remaining cake covered at room temperature for a day, or pop it in the fridge for up to 3 days. It reheats wonderfully!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Now, I know we’re not all strictly counting calories when comfort food this good is involved, but for those curious folks, here’s a little peek at what you’re getting. Remember these are just estimates, of course, since every oven and every ingredient can be a little bit different. My pecan pie dump cake tends to make about 12 yummy servings:

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: about 450
  • Fat: 25g (that’s 12g saturated)
  • Carbohydrates: 60g
  • Sugar: 55g
  • Protein: 4g

Share Your Pecan Pie Dump Cake Creations!

I absolutely LOVE hearing from you all! When you make this pecan pie dump cake, whether it’s for a big holiday spread or just because, I’d be thrilled if you’d leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. Did you try any fun variations? Sharing your experiences and maybe even a photo on social media really makes my day! You can also reach out anytime with questions.

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Pecan Pie Dump Cake

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A simple Southern pecan pie dump cake made with buttery cake mix, perfect for holiday gatherings.

  • Author: ellievance
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 45 min
  • Total Time: 55 min
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 jar (12 oz) caramel ice cream topping
  • 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  3. Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the cherry pie filling.
  4. Pour the melted butter evenly over the pecans.
  5. Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the butter.
  6. Drizzle the caramel ice cream topping over the cake mix.
  7. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
  8. Let the cake cool slightly before serving warm.

Notes

  • Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
  • This dessert is ideal for Thanksgiving and Christmas dessert tables.
  • Consider this an easy holiday dessert option.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 55g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 60g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 50mg

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