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The Best Pumpkin Crunch Cake (made without a cake mix!)

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This cake mix free easy Pumpkin Crunch Cake combines a soft pumpkin custard bottom with a delightfully delicious crunchy topping to create a totally addictive dessert!

pumpkin crunch recipe without cake mix

I’ve never really been a huge fan of pumpkin pie.  But other pumpkin desserts?  Well, that’s another story!

As a matter of fact, we actually served a pumpkin dessert at our wedding!  Neither my husband and I love cake.  I mean, we like it okay, but neither of us would say it’s our favorite dessert at all.  So it only made sense to skip serving cake at our reception and have pumpkin roll instead!

My mother, bless her heart, made the dozens of homemade pumpkin rolls that we needed.  And my husband and I enjoyed it so much more than the traditional cake!

And while I love a good pumpkin roll, I rarely make them myself simply because they are a bit time-consuming.   But I do enjoy making other pumpkin desserts, especially easy ones like this Pumpkin Crunch Cake.  

It’s just so good with its mixture of a soft, custard-style pumpkin bottom combined with a delightfully delicious crunchy buttery topping.  It’s one of those desserts that we find rather addictive and a recipe that I can guarantee will be a hit no matter where I serve it!

In fact, I’m pretty sure that my whole family would say that this Pumpkin Crunch Cake is their all-time favorite pumpkin dessert!

Best Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Most recipes for Pumpkin Crunch Cake call for a yellow cake mix, which of course is nice and convenient.  But it’s always bothered me.  Because while I’m not necessarily opposed to using the occasional cake mix, they really aren’t as healthy as something made from scratch.

And to be honest, cake mixes are kind of expensive considering the fact that they are basically just flour, sugar and a couple of other inexpensive ingredients.

So I experimented a bit and figured out a way to make our favorite pumpkin dessert healthier, less expensive and just as delicious as ever by replacing the cake mix with four simple ingredients.

And honestly, mixing them together will take you just a tad longer than it would to open a store-bought cake mix.  So it’s a win all around!

Pumpkin Crunch Cake- the best easy pumpkin dessert

Best Ever Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Print Recipe
4.6 from 15 votes

The Best Pumpkin Crunch Cake

This cake mix free easy Pumpkin Crunch Cake combines a soft pumpkin custard bottom with a delightfully delicious crunchy topping to create a totally addictive dessert!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time1 hr
Total Time1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 24 pieces
Author: ThriftyFrugalMom.com

Ingredients

  • 15 oz. can pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling!)
  • 12 oz. can evaporated milk
  • 3 eggs
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

TOPPING

  • 2 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 3/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions

  • Combine first 6 ingredients. (I like to use a whisk.)
  • Pour into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
  • In same bowl that you used before, combine the topping ingredients, minus the butter.
  • Sprinkle topping evenly on top of batter and then drizzle the melted butter over top of everything.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 60 min. Cake should look set and top should be golden brown. Cool completely.

Notes

If you prefer to use a store bought cake mix for the topping, just ignore all the Topping ingredients (except the butter!) and instead replace them with a yellow cake mix.  Then drizzle with the butter as instructed
This dessert is delicious as is, but you can also serve it with whipped cream or with ice cream.

Other easy dessert recipes that you’ll enjoy:

  • Easy Apple Dumpling Dessert
  • Simple Apple Dump Cake from scratch – fresh apples, no cake mix!
  • No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecakes
  • Best Ever Chocolate Cake (no eggs, no butter, no milk)
  • Quick and Easy Caramel Icing
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Filed Under: Desserts, Recipes

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Comments

  1. LaTrice says

    September 26, 2017 at 8:54 PM

    Yummy!!! 🙂

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      September 27, 2017 at 12:49 PM

      We think so. 😉

      Reply
  2. Amy says

    October 30, 2017 at 12:48 PM

    Does this work with whole wheat flour? Also, have you tried chopped pecans in the topping? Thank you so much for this recipe. I have always felt the same way about boxed cake mixes.

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      October 30, 2017 at 12:54 PM

      I haven’t ever tried it with whole wheat flour, but that’s a great idea! I think I’d try it first with just half whole wheat and see what you think of that. I’m guessing it will be just fine. And I have never done chopped pecans in the topping, but I know many similar recipes do and you could easily just add them in. I’m sure it would add a great extra crunch and flavor.

      If you try to the whole wheat idea, I’d love to know how it worked for you. You’re making me want to whip up a batch for dinner tonight just to give it a try. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Heather Hart says

    October 2, 2018 at 11:28 AM

    This looks so good! I love pumpkin everything!!

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      October 2, 2018 at 11:35 AM

      I’m with you….and I love that it’s that time of year again too!

      Reply
  4. Mary Leigh says

    October 2, 2018 at 9:38 PM

    This looks SO good! I’m adding it to our list of things to make this fall!

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      October 4, 2018 at 12:19 AM

      And now you make me want to see your list! 🙂 I’m always looking for more yummy fall foods.

      Reply
  5. Jessica Briggs says

    October 2, 2018 at 11:58 PM

    Yum, looks delicious!

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      October 4, 2018 at 12:18 AM

      We think it is! 🙂

      Reply
  6. jessica lynn says

    October 3, 2018 at 9:10 AM

    Get. In. My. BELLY! This looks delicious and I love that it has a crunchy topping. I think that’s why I don’t like pumpkin pie; I need some more texture along with it.

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      October 4, 2018 at 12:18 AM

      Yes, that topping is what makes this so amazing! I’m with you on not being a huge pumpkin pie fan and I was never sure why it was since I love pumpkin. But I think it’s actually for the same reason you stated!

      Reply
  7. Shani says

    October 8, 2018 at 12:06 AM

    This looks really yummy! I don’t really like pumpkin pie either.

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      October 10, 2018 at 2:57 PM

      How about we just all replace pumpkin pie with this cake? 😉

      Reply

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Welcome! I’m Lydia. I love to share easy homemade recipes, simple homemaking tips and great money saving ideas. I want to help you find ways to live well and enjoy life on a budget! Read more…

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