If you love pecan pie but dread all the work that goes into making it from scratch, there’s one dessert sweeping holiday tables and potlucks across the country — and it’s shockingly easy. Imagine the caramel‑sweet gooeyness of pecan pie without rolling a crust, whisking custard separately, or dealing with complicated baking steps.

This is the Gooey Pecan Pie Dump Cake — a dessert that tastes like classic pecan pie and buttery cake had a delicious love child. Every spoonful is rich, sticky, and irresistible. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving something sweet after dinner, this recipe hits every note: simple, nostalgic, and utterly satisfying.

Why It Works

This dessert takes the best parts of pecan pie — that deep brown sugar sweetness, toasted pecans, and a soft custard‑like middle — and blends it with the crisp, buttery top of a dump cake. Best of all? You don’t need to mix anything in bowls or layer pie crusts. You just dump, bake, and enjoy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make one 9×13‑inch pan of Gooey Pecan Pie Dump Cake:

For the Gooey Filling:

Light corn syrup
Packed brown sugar
Eggs
Unsalted butter, melted
Vanilla extract
Pecan halves

For the Cake Topping:

Yellow cake mix (half a box — this is key)
Melted unsalted butter

(Exact amounts are included in the instructions below.)

Step‑by‑Step Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Generously grease a 9×13‑inch baking dish so the dessert doesn’t stick.

2. Mix the Gooey Filling

In a large bowl, whisk together:

Light corn syrup
Packed brown sugar
Eggs
Melted unsalted butter
Vanilla extract

Once smooth and glossy, fold in the pecan halves so they’re coated in sweet goodness.

3. Spread It Into the Pan

Pour this rich pecan mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. This is your gooey base layer — the part that gives the dessert that molasses‑like, custard‑sweet texture.

4. Add the Cake Mix

Sprinkle half a box of yellow cake mix evenly over the pecan filling without stirring. This layer becomes the golden, buttery crust on top.

5. Butter Magic

Pour melted unsalted butter slowly over the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much as possible — this is how the cake gets that golden, crisp top that contrasts so beautifully with the gooey center.

6. Bake to Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for about 45–50 minutes, until:

The edges are bubbly
The top is golden and glossy
The middle jiggles slightly but isn’t liquid

Let it cool completely (about 45–60 minutes) before cutting. This lets the gooey center set just right.

Serving Tips

This dessert is amazing served slightly warm with:

A scoop of vanilla ice cream
A dollop of whipped cream
Even a drizzle of caramel sauce

The cold cream melts into the warm gooey cake — pure bliss.

Expert Tips for Best Results

✅ Don’t use the whole cake mix — half gives the perfect balance between gooey and cake‑like. Too much mix and it turns dry instead of rich.
✅ Let it cool before slicing so it cuts cleanly.
✅ For extra flavor, toast the pecans lightly before adding them.

Final Thought

This Gooey Pecan Pie Dump Cake is proof that the simplest recipes can be the most memorable. Its sticky‑sweet filling, buttery cake top, and crunchy pecans make it a go‑to dessert for holidays, family gatherings, or anytime you just need something special… without all the fuss.

Give it a try once — and it might just become your new holiday staple.