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Classic Pumpkin Crunch Cake: Easy Layered Dessert

A square slice of rich orange pumpkin crunch cake with a thick, sugary pecan crumble topping on a white plate.
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Make this easy pumpkin dessert that tastes like pumpkin pie but has the texture of a cake. This layered pumpkin cake features a moist pumpkin layer and a buttery pecan crunch topping, perfect for Thanksgiving dessert ideas.

Ingredients

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  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
  • 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • Whipped topping or vanilla ice cream, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, 1 1/2 cups of the sugar, cinnamon, and salt until the mixture is smooth. This forms your creamy pumpkin layer.
  3. Pour the pumpkin mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine the dry yellow cake mix and the chopped pecans. Do not mix anything else into this dry topping.
  5. Sprinkle the dry cake mix and pecan mixture evenly over the pumpkin layer in the baking dish. Do not stir.
  6. Slowly drizzle the melted butter over the dry topping layer. Distribute the butter as evenly as possible over the entire surface.
  7. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the center is set.
  8. Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. The layers will set as it cools.
  9. Chill the pumpkin crunch cake for at least 2 hours before serving.
  10. Serve cold with a dollop of whipped topping or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

  • This recipe is often called Hawaiian style pumpkin dessert because of the layered structure.
  • For an extra layer of flavor, you can substitute half of the pecans with toffee bits for a pumpkin toffee crunch variation.
  • This dessert is best served cold to maintain the distinct layers.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/pumpkin-crunch-cake-easy-fall-dessert/