Pumpkin Crunch – A Pumpkin Crunch Cake For A 9×13 Pan (with cake mix)

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With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch Cake – made with a cake mix – is perfect for a crowd. Sometimes people call this Pumpkin Crunch Cake or Pumpkin Crunch Bars. We think it should be called the Best Ever Pumpkin Crunch Dessert of all time.

With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch - made with a cake mix - is a perfect dessert for a crowd.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Easy Pumpkin Crunch Dessert with yellow cake mix is a simple pumpkin dessert to make.  The ingredients include canned pumpkin, eggs, evaporated milk, sugar, cinnamon, cake mix and butter.  This really is a pumpkin dump cake as opposed to a traditional cake recipe.

Instead of making the same old boring pumpkin pie, try this Pumpkin Crunch with yellow cake mix instead. You won’t be disappointed. Barbara loves this dessert, and she claims it as one of her favorites. She lost the recipe a couple years ago, but recently found it again.

A co-worker shared this recipe with her years and years ago. Even though Barbara hasn’t seen her for almost 10 years, she thinks of her each time this Pumpkin Crunch goes into the oven.

With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch Dessert - made with a cake mix - is perfect for a crowd. Sometimes people call this Pumpkin Crunch Cake or Pumpkin Crunch Bars. We think it should be called the Best Ever Pumpkin Crunch Dessert of all time.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake Ingredient List

  • Canned Pumpkin (not canned pumpkin pie filling)
  • Evaporated Milk
  • Large Eggs
  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Sugar
  • Yellow Cake Mix (dry mix, unprepared)
  • Butter
With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch Dessert - made with a cake mix - is perfect for a crowd. Sometimes people call this Pumpkin Crunch Cake or Pumpkin Crunch Bars. We think it should be called the Best Ever Pumpkin Crunch Dessert of all time.

A Pumpkin Crunch Cake with Cake Mix

Cake mix is the secret ingredient in the “crunch” part of this easy fall dessert. The bottom layer is essentially the pumpkin pie. Then, a dry cake mix is sprinkled right on top of the pumpkin pie layer. Melted butter is poured right over top the dry cake mix to form the beautiful, delicious crunch.

For even drizzling of the butter, use a liquid cup measure or something that allows the melted butter to pour evenly.  If you’ve got dry clumps of cake mix, spread out the butter or add more drizzled butter to get the entire top.

I sometime even give the top of the cake a spray with nonstick cooking spray to make sure it’s all wet on top for an even crunch.

With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch Dessert - made with a cake mix - is perfect for a crowd. Sometimes people call this Pumpkin Crunch Cake or Pumpkin Crunch Bars. We think it should be called the Best Ever Pumpkin Crunch Dessert of all time.

How To Make Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Step By Step Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, eggs, sugar, evaporated milk, and cinnamon.
  2. Pour pumpkin batter into a prepared 13 x 9 inch baking dish.
  3. Sprinkle cake mix over pumpkin pie mixture, and pour melted butter over top of the cake mix, being sure there’s no dry spots.
  4. Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees F.
  5. Serve topped with whipped cream, Cool Whip or scoop of vanilla ice cream (if served hot).

Storage Instructions

Cover dish with a tight-fitting lid, plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the fridge for up to a week.

For the full recipe steps and ingredient amounts for pumpkin crunch bars with yellow cake mix, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch Dessert - made with a cake mix - is perfect for a crowd. Sometimes people call this Pumpkin Crunch Cake or Pumpkin Crunch Bars. We think it should be called the Best Ever Pumpkin Crunch Dessert of all time.

Does pumpkin crunch cake need to be refrigerated?

We would recommend to serve immediately, or let cool and refrigerate.  If you are going to eat later, we would recommend not letting it sit for more than four hours at room temperature before covering and putting it into the refrigerator.

Can you freeze pumpkin crunch cake?

Yes, if you’ve got too many desserts at thanksgiving, place individual pieces of pumpkin crunch cake in a freezer dish or separate multiple slices with waxed paper in a larger freezer-safe container. Place in the refrigerator to thaw.

With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch Dessert - made with a cake mix - is perfect for a crowd. Sometimes people call this Pumpkin Crunch Cake or Pumpkin Crunch Bars. We think it should be called the Best Ever Pumpkin Crunch Dessert of all time.

Recipe FAQs

  • Use evaporated milk, not sweetened condensed milk.
  • This pumpkin crunch cake uses regular canned pumpkin, not to be confused with pumpkin pie filling.
  • The topping of this dessert reminds us a bit of the crunchy topping of our Peach Batter Cake. We know it sounds odd to just sprinkle the dry cake mix over the top of the wet ingredients, but we promise it works! Just be sure to evenly distribute the melted butter and use a bit more butter if you have large dry spots of cake mix.
  • Use a liquid measuring cup to drizzle the butter more evenly.
  • You know what would make this even better? Toasted nuts, praline almonds, or these cinnamon glazed pecans sprinkled on top of the dollop of whipped cream!
  • This pumpkin crunch with yellow cake mix is versatile. You could swap out different types of boxed cake mix if you prefer. A spiced cake mix would be delicious!
  • We are huge fans of using boxed cake mixes in desserts other than cakes.  Some of our favorites are Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls, Easy Cake Mix Caramel Bars, Sweet Maple Walnut Bars and Yellow Cake Mix Gooey Bars.
This pumpkin crunch dessert is perfect served with a dollop a cool whip or whipped cream.

Recipe Variations

  • Add chopped nuts such as chopped pecans or walnuts to either the pumpkin mixture or sprinkle over the cake mix.
  • Swap yellow cake mix for white cake mix.
  • Use a variety of pumpkin pie spices such as ground nutmeg, cloves, ginger or allspice with the cinnamon.
  • Serve with a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Old Fashioned Pumpkin Recipes

Love pumpkin? Try our favorites old fashioned pumpkin desserts.

Pumpkin Woopie Pies

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with a cream cheese filling are the perfect fall treat. The best part of this recipe is leave out the filling and have pumpkin cookies!

Grandma’s Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Grandma's Pumpkin Chiffon Pie is a simple, creamy no-bake alternative to the traditional pumpkin pie. This silky, smooth pumpkin chiffon pie was a staple on our family's Thanksgiving dinner table throughout our childhood.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

The entire family will love these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins which are easy to put together and make enough to freeze for later or share with friends.

Pumpkin Waffles

This simple pumpkin waffle batter can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator overnight.

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie Pudding

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie Pudding recipe is a crustless dessert perfect for a holiday dessert.

Frozen Pumpkin Dessert.

Frozen Pumpkin Delight Dessert is a combination of pumpkin and ice cream that is sweet and delicious.

Grandma’s Pumpkin Bread

Grandma's Pumpkin Bread is a moist pumpkin bread recipe that can be made plain, with nuts, raisins or chocolate chips. This easy to follow recipe gives options for one pumpkin loaf or two depending on whether or not you want to use an entire can of pumpkin. 
With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch Dessert - made with a cake mix - is perfect for a crowd. Sometimes people call this Pumpkin Crunch Cake or Pumpkin Crunch Bars. We think it should be called the Best Ever Pumpkin Crunch Dessert of all time.
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Pumpkin Crunch Dessert with Yellow Cake Mix

With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch – made with a cake mix – is a perfect dessert for a crowd.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake mix recipes, Crunchy Pumpkin Dessert, does my pumpkin crunch need to be refrigerated?, easy pumpkin crunch dessert, Pumpkin Crunch, pumpkin crunch bars, Pumpkin Crunch Cake, pumpkin crunch with yellow cake mix, Pumpkin Dessert Recipes
Servings: 16
Calories: 255kcal
Author: Barbara

Ingredients

  • 15 oz. pure pumpkin
  • 3 eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 12 oz. evaporated milk
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 16.5 oz. boxed yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine melted

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin, eggs, sugar, evaporated milk and cinnamon; pour into pan.
    With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch Dessert - made with a cake mix - is perfect for a crowd. Sometimes people call this Pumpkin Crunch Cake or Pumpkin Crunch Bars. We think it should be called the Best Ever Pumpkin Crunch Dessert of all time.
  • Sprinkle the yellow cake mix evenly over the pumpkin mixture.
    With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch Dessert - made with a cake mix - is perfect for a crowd. Sometimes people call this Pumpkin Crunch Cake or Pumpkin Crunch Bars. We think it should be called the Best Ever Pumpkin Crunch Dessert of all time.
  • Pour the melted butter evenly over top (if there are any big dry spots, use a little extra melted butter).
    With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch Dessert - made with a cake mix - is perfect for a crowd. Sometimes people call this Pumpkin Crunch Cake or Pumpkin Crunch Bars. We think it should be called the Best Ever Pumpkin Crunch Dessert of all time.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
    With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch Dessert - made with a cake mix - is perfect for a crowd. Sometimes people call this Pumpkin Crunch Cake or Pumpkin Crunch Bars. We think it should be called the Best Ever Pumpkin Crunch Dessert of all time.
  • Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
    With a crisp topping and a dollop of whipped cream, this Pumpkin Crunch Dessert - made with a cake mix - is perfect for a crowd. Sometimes people call this Pumpkin Crunch Cake or Pumpkin Crunch Bars. We think it should be called the Best Ever Pumpkin Crunch Dessert of all time.

Video

Notes

  • It’s called Pumpkin Crunch because the butter forms a nice crunchy top over the cake mix.
  • Use evaporated milk, not sweetened condensed milk.
  • This pumpkin crunch cake uses regular canned pumpkin, not to be confused with pumpkin pie filling.
  • The topping of this dessert reminds us a bit of the crunchy topping of our Peach Batter Cake. We know it sounds odd to just sprinkle the dry cake mix over the top of the wet ingredients, but we promise it works! Just be sure to evenly distribute the melted butter and use a bit more butter if you have large dry spots of cake mix.
  • Use a liquid measuring cup to drizzle the butter more evenly. 
  • You know what would make this even better? Toasted nuts, praline almonds, or these cinnamon glazed pecans sprinkled on top of the dollop of whipped cream!
  • This pumpkin crunch with yellow cake mix is versatile. You could swap out different types of boxed cake mix if you prefer. A spiced cake mix would be delicious!
  • We are huge fans of using boxed cake mixes in desserts other than cakes.  Some of our favorites are Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls, Easy Cake Mix Caramel Bars, and Yellow Cake Mix Gooey Bars.
  • The nutritional information below is auto-calculated and can vary depending on the products used.
Love pumpkin? Try our favorites including Pumpkin Woopie Pies, Grandma’s Pumpkin Chiffon Pie, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, Pumpkin Waffles, Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie Pudding and Frozen Pumpkin Dessert.

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 298mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 232IU | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg
This pumpkin crunch dessert is easy to make with cake mix and canned pumpkin. Serve it with a dollop of cool whip or whipped cream.

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17 Comments

    1. You can use a combination of whole milk and half-and-half. Use the ratio of 1/4 half and half and 3/4 whole milk.

    1. Debbie – We have never substituted honey for the sugar in this so we can’t say for sure how it will work. If you try, here are a couple of things to think about…for every 1 cup of sugar, think about using 1/2 to 2/3 cups of honey (some honey is really sweet) and it’s already a really wet mixture so you might think about reducing other liquids if you go with honey. If you try it, let us know how it turns out!

  1. This looks delicious and just in time for fall. I am thinking that a spice cake mix instead of the white would be really good also. And maybe some crunchy pecans on top? These type of desserts are called dump cakes. You can make many different kinds and they’re all very rich, sweet and delicious. Very easy to make

  2. I made this exactly as written for a potluck at church. Everyone who tried it loved it!! I was even asked for the recipe <3

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