Butter pecan dump cake recipe is a warm hug in dessert form. I discovered it on one of those days when I needed something easy, but still homemade and meaningful. It started with a familiar process—dump, layer, bake—but one change made all the difference: I swapped in butter pecan cake mix. From the first bite, I knew it wasn’t just a variation—it was a whole new tradition.
I grew up in St. Francisville, Louisiana, where my grandmother’s kitchen smelled like brown sugar and pecans every Sunday. She never followed recipes. She just felt the food. I learned to cook that way too—by memory, by instinct, and by heart. Our go-to was a pecan dump cake recipe that filled our house with sweet, toasty comfort.
Years later, now in New Orleans with kids of my own, I crave those flavors—and the memories that come with them. That’s when this butter pecan dump cake became our go-to. It’s my way of bringing the past forward with a little twist.
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Butter Pecan Dump Cake Recipe– Cozy, Sweet, and Incredibly Easy
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich, sweet, and buttery Southern dessert made with butter pecan cake mix, pecans, and condensed milk. Simple, comforting, and ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
1 box butter pecan cake mix
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
2 cups chopped pecans
Optional: 1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional: pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Pour condensed milk into the dish and spread evenly.
3. Sprinkle butter pecan cake mix evenly on top—do not stir.
4. Scatter chopped pecans across the cake mix layer.
5. Drizzle melted butter over the top, covering as much as possible.
6. Bake for 45–50 minutes until golden and bubbly.
7. Let cool 10–15 minutes before serving.
Notes
You can add sliced apples or caramel drizzle for seasonal variation.
This cake is delicious warm or chilled.
Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s no mixer. No mess. No stress. Just a buttery base, a crunchy top, and that nutty aroma that brings people into the kitchen before it’s even done. It’s soft, slightly crisp on top, and rich in all the right ways—like a pecan cake with butter built into every bite.
If you’re short on time but want a dessert that delivers big flavor, this butter pecan dump cake checks every box. It’s earned a permanent spot in our recipe box, and once you try it, I bet it’ll find one in yours too. And if you’re into handheld desserts with that same gooey-crunchy vibe, you’ll love these pecan pie bars—they’re just as decadent but easier to slice and serve.
How to Make Butter Pecan Dump Cake Recipe (Step-by-Step)
If you’ve never made a cake pecan dump butter before, you’re about to discover why it’s one of the easiest—and most irresistible—desserts you can bake. This is the kind of recipe that delivers big flavor with just a few pantry staples. No mixing, no creaming, no stress. For a quicker twist on this flavor combo, don’t miss these lazy girl pecan pie bars—they bring the same buttery richness in a simplified format.
Here’s everything you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 box of butter pecan cake mix
- 1 can (14 oz) of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups chopped pecans
- Optional: pinch of cinnamon, dash of vanilla extract
Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the condensed milk into the bottom and spread it out evenly. This is your sweet, gooey base.
Next, sprinkle the butter pecan cake mix directly on top of the condensed milk. Do not stir. Just let it sit in a dry layer—this is what gives butter pecan dump cake its signature “melted-topping” texture.
Now, sprinkle the chopped pecans generously over the cake mix. They’ll toast beautifully as the cake bakes. Finally, pour the melted butter evenly over the top, making sure to hit as many dry spots as possible. That butter pulls everything together as it bakes.
Easy Butter Pecan Dump Cake Method
Bake for 45–50 minutes until the top is golden, bubbly, and smells like heaven. Let it rest 10–15 minutes before serving so the layers set just right.
Thiscake butter pecan dump is comfort food at its best—rich, nutty, buttery, and unbelievably easy. It’s the kind of dessert people will ask for again… and again. If you’re into quick comfort desserts, these lazy day lemon cream pie bars are another sweet option to keep in your back pocket.
When to Serve Butter Pecan Dump Cake
There’s never a wrong time to make cake pecan dump butter. Whether it’s a chilly evening in December or a lazy weekend in July, this dessert brings comfort and ease in every bite. It’s fast, crowd-pleasing, and travels well—ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or small holiday gatherings.
When I first brought this to a New Year’s potluck, people couldn’t believe how simple it was to make. It looked like I had spent hours in the kitchen, and when I said, “It’s just a dump cake,” everyone asked for the recipe.
Serve It Warm or Cold—Both Ways Work
Fresh from the oven, butter pecan dump cake is golden, gooey, and full of buttery depth. Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce and you’ve got something worthy of any celebration. But chilled? It’s dense and dreamy—like a cold pie-bar hybrid that’s just as crave-worthy.
As a butter pecan dessert, this one hits all the right notes: sweet, nutty, simple, and a little indulgent. It works for casual nights at home, but also holds up beautifully on a dessert buffet next to traditional pies and cookies.
For any occasion—holidays, birthdays, or just a Tuesday—butter pecan dump cake is that back-pocket recipe you’ll turn to again and again. And trust me: no one ever leaves a crumb behind.
Butter Pecan Dump Cake Variations to Try
One of the best things about cake pecan dump butter is how easy it is to play with the flavors. Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, it’s simple to add little twists that give it new life. Whether you’re swapping ingredients for the season or using what’s in your pantry, there’s no wrong way to dump and bake.
During the fall, I like to turn this into a pecan pie dump cake with apple by adding thinly sliced Granny Smith apples between the condensed milk and cake mix layers. It brings that tart-sweet balance that’s perfect with the buttery topping.
In spring or summer, you can lighten things up with chopped peaches or pineapple for a slightly tropical finish. A pinch of nutmeg or cardamom also deepens the flavor without making it feel too heavy.
Butter Pecan Dump Cake with Condensed Milk
If you love an extra gooey center, stick with sweetened condensed milk in your recipe. It’s the secret ingredient that gives butter pecan dump cake with condensed milk that melt-in-your-mouth texture. The milk soaks into the cake mix and pecans as it bakes, creating soft, caramelized pockets you won’t believe came from such a simple recipe.
And if you’re looking to bring this dessert to your next gathering, know that this one ranks high on our list of holiday dump cake recipes. It’s festive, indulgent, and—most importantly—stress-free.
You can also try using a mix of butter pecan cake mix and spice cake mix for a cozy, layered flavor. No matter which direction you take it, this butter pecan dump cake is the perfect base for experimentation and seasonal flair.
FAQs about Butter Pecan Dump Cake
What is the biggest mistake to avoid when making a dump cake?
The most common mistake is stirring the ingredients after layering. Dump cakes rely on keeping those layers intact so the cake mix bakes into a crust-like topping. Stirring breaks that structure and leads to uneven texture. Just layer and let the oven do the magic.
Why are they called dump cakes?
They’re named for the method: you simply “dump” all the ingredients into the pan—no mixing, no bowls, no fuss. This makes them one of the easiest types of dessert, which is part of why butter pecan dump cake is so beloved. It’s rustic, quick, and shockingly delicious.
What makes butter pecan butter pecan?
Butter pecan flavor typically comes from the combination of roasted pecans and rich, creamy butter. In baking, this often means using butter pecan cake mix, which includes natural or artificial flavoring to capture that nutty, toasted sweetness people love.
Is dump cake supposed to be refrigerated?
Yes, you should refrigerate leftover dump cake once it cools completely. Cover it tightly and store it in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. It reheats well in the microwave, or you can enjoy it cold—it actually firms up and takes on a pie-like texture.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, butter pecan dump cake is one of those rare desserts that feels both nostalgic and new. It brings together all the things we crave in a homemade sweet: warmth, richness, texture—and above all, simplicity. It doesn’t require a mixer, a timer, or even much attention. Just five minutes of layering, and your oven does the rest.
Whether you’re baking for a holiday crowd, a quiet family dinner, or just to treat yourself, this recipe is as easy as it is rewarding. You can keep it classic, go bold with apples or caramel, or dress it up with ice cream and whipped cream. However you serve it, it’s the kind of dessert people remember—and ask for again.
So whether you’re brand-new to dump cakes or looking for a fresh twist, this one’s for you. Grab your pan, layer it up, and let butter pecan dump cake become your next signature dessert. And if you’re in the mood for a fall-inspired variation, this pumpkin dump cake is another cozy option worth baking.
