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Pecan Dump Cake Recipe

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4.2 from 47 reviews

  • Author: Amina
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings

Description

This Pecan Dump Cake is a rich and decadent dessert that combines the deep flavors of dark brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter with crunchy pecans and a moist white cake base. It’s called a “dump cake” because of the simple preparation where ingredients are layered, not mixed, then baked to golden perfection. Perfect for serving at gatherings, this cake has a gooey, caramel-like layer topped with cake and more crunchy pecans, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavors.

Ingredients

Pecan Mixture

  • 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup dark corn syrup (such as dark Karo syrup)
  • ½ cup (1¼ sticks) salted butter, melted and cooled
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups pecan halves, chopped

Cake Layers

  • 15.25 ounces white cake mix (Duncan Hines Classic White Cake mix recommended)
  • ¾ cup (1½ sticks) salted butter, melted and cooled
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 cup pecan halves (whole for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cake.
  2. Prepare Baking Dish: Generously spray a 9×13 or 13×9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  3. Chop Pecans: Chop 3 cups of pecan halves finely to incorporate into the batter.
  4. Mix Pecan Base: In a medium-sized mixing bowl (2-3 quarts), whisk together 1 cup dark brown sugar, 1 cup dark corn syrup, ½ cup melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until combined.
  5. Add Pecans: Stir in the chopped 3 cups of pecan halves into the sugar mixture thoroughly.
  6. Layer Pecan Mixture: Evenly spread the pecan mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  7. Sprinkle Cake Mix: Sprinkle the dry white cake mix evenly over the pecan layer without mixing.
  8. Drizzle Butter: Drizzle the remaining ¾ cup melted butter evenly over the dry cake mix layer.
  9. Add Brown Sugar: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of dark brown sugar evenly over the butter layer.
  10. Pour Hot Water: Pour 1 cup of hot water evenly over the top of the cake mix and butter. Avoid stirring; gently tilt the pan to help distribute the water.
  11. Top with Pecans: Sprinkle the last 1 cup of whole pecan halves over the top layer.
  12. Bake Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Begin checking at 30 minutes as ovens vary. The center will be slightly jiggly but will set as it cools.
  13. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving to ensure proper texture.

Notes

  • For best results, use room temperature eggs to ensure smooth mixing.
  • Do not stir after adding the cake mix, butter, and water layers; this layering is essential for the dump cake texture.
  • The cake will have a gooey, almost pudding-like center—this is normal and part of its charm.
  • You can substitute light corn syrup if you prefer a milder sweetness, but dark syrup adds deeper flavor.
  • Make sure to cool the cake thoroughly to allow it to set properly for easier slicing.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://aminabakes.com/pecan-dump-cake-recipe/