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Pecan Dump Cake Recipe

Pecan Dump Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Irresistible Southern Pecan Dump Cake brings rustic charm to dessert tables with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Sweet pecans and buttery cake layers create a quick comfort classic that delights friends and family in mere minutes.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients:

  • 2 cups dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup dark corn syrup
  • 1 1/4 cups salted butter
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 15.25 ounces white cake mix
  • 1 cup hot water

Pecan Ingredients:

  • 3 cups pecan halves
  • 1 cup pecan halves

Optional Topping:

  • Caramel topping

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 350°F and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly with nonstick spray.
  2. Create the pecan filling by whisking dark brown sugar, dark corn syrup, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl until smooth and fully incorporated.
  3. Fold three cups of pecan halves into the liquid mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the filling.
  4. Carefully distribute the pecan mixture across the prepared baking dish, creating an even base layer.
  5. Uniformly scatter the dry cake mix over the pecan filling, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom layer.
  6. Drizzle remaining melted butter across the cake mix, followed by a generous sprinkle of additional dark brown sugar.
  7. Gently pour hot water over the entire surface, allowing it to seep through without stirring or mixing the layers.
  8. Strategically place the remaining pecan halves across the top of the cake, creating a decorative and crunchy surface.
  9. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring the color and checking for a golden-brown crust.
  10. Remove from oven and let the cake cool completely, allowing the center to set and stabilize.
  11. Optional: Enhance serving with a drizzle of caramel topping for extra indulgence. Cut into approximately twelve generous portions.

Notes

  • Use dark brown sugar for deeper, richer flavor that complements the pecans’ natural sweetness.
  • Ensure hot water is distributed evenly without mixing to create a unique, layered texture with a gooey bottom.
  • Slightly underbake the cake to maintain a moist, soft center that firms up during cooling.
  • Consider toasting pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty, robust flavor profile and add extra depth to the dessert.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 423 kcal
  • Sugar: 44 g
  • Sodium: 280 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 51 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg