Imagine the rich, caramel-kissed flavor of pecan pie—but with just 5 minutes of prep and no crust to roll! This dump cake magically transforms into a crispy-topped, gooey-centered dessert that’ll have everyone begging for the recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
No mixing, no fuss – Literally dump and bake!
Tastes like pecan pie – But 10x easier.
Crowd-pleasing – Perfect for holidays or potlucks.
Pantry-friendly – Uses basic ingredients.
Ad-optimized structure – Keeps readers scrolling (and ads loading!).
Ingredients
*(Serves 8-10)*
- 1 cup (240ml) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup (240ml) maple syrup or corn syrup
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups (200g) pecan halves
- 1 box (15 oz) yellow cake mix (dry, unprepared)
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, melted
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 tbsp bourbon (for depth)
- ½ cup chocolate chips (because why not?)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Pan (1 min!)
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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2. Layer the Goodness (4 mins!)
- Dump caramel sauce, syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon into the dish. Swirl gently.
- Sprinkle pecans evenly over top.
- Pour dry cake mix over pecans (do not stir!).
- Drizzle melted butter evenly over cake mix (cover as much as possible).
3. Bake to Perfection
- 40-45 mins until golden and bubbly at the edges.
4. Serve Warm!
- Scoop into bowls and top with vanilla ice cream (mandatory!).
Pro Tips for the Best Dump Cake
Don’t stir! The layers work magic on their own.
Check doneness – The top should be crisp; the center will stay gooey.
Make ahead – Assemble (unbaked) and refrigerate overnight.
5 Delicious Variations
Chocolate Pecan – Use devil’s food cake mix + chocolate syrup.
Apple Pecan – Add 1 can apple pie filling under the pecans.
Coffee-Kissed – Add 1 tsp instant espresso to the syrup layer.
Coconut Pecan – Sprinkle 1 cup shredded coconut with the pecans.
Spiced – Add ¼ tsp cayenne for a kick!
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