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Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler is the ultimate fall dessert with cake on the top and hot caramel sauce on the bottom!
I think I’ve found pumpkin dessert mecca in the form of this Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler. I love a good chocolate lava cake, but no other dessert has really ever come close to that pinnacle of delicious. Until now? If you don’t like chocolate as much as you like pumpkin, then we are close to something that will blow your mind.

Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler: Ultimate Fall Dessert
No matter where you stand on the choco-loving scale, you’ve at least got to give this a try at least once this season! This Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler is spicy, sweet, festive and gets thrown together in a snap. This is like a pumpkin lava cake and cobbler love child. It’s got all the yummy factors that I love in a dessert and uses ingredients I’m 99% sure you already have in your pantry. #winning
Just be sure to remember to add in the baking powder because…..it WILL NOT work without it.
Here’s how to make this Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler:
Stir all dry ingredients together in a small bowl: flour, sugar, spices and leavenings. I’m positive you all have these items in your pantry right now.
In a separate bowl, stir together all the wet ingredients: milk, vanilla, melted butter and pumpkin!
Now, incorporate the two. You’ll get a thick batter…exactly what you want.
Pour this into a small casserole dish and spread out evenly.
Like so!
Top this with even more sugar {I know it looks like a lot….} and some chopped pecans.
Right before it goes into the oven, pour over some super hot water. RESIST the urge to mix this. Pour it and forget it. I promise the oven will work it’s magic and create an amazing cakey, hot pumpkin lava situation that is worth the 40 minute wait.
You see? Puffy magic cake with…..wait for it……

Sweet pumpkin lava gooeyness!!!!!! Heaven, folks.

Divide into portions and serve.

Don’t forget the extra pecans and ice cream! Yes yes yes.

Love Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler? Try these other recipes:
- Carrot Cake Cobbler
- Chocolate Cobbler Recipe
- Inside-Out Breakfast Peach Cobbler {almost vegan}
- Peach & Raspberry Cobbler {with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream!}
- Steel Cut Oatmeal with Bananas & Cobbler Topping

Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler
Ingredients
For the Cobbler
- 1 cup + 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup melted butter or vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 1/2 cups very hot water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium sized bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and spices. Set aside.
- In a smaller bowl, stir pumpkin, milk, melted butter and vanilla together to combine. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix to create a thick batter. Pour into a small 8-inch casserole dish with high sides.
- In a separate bowl, stir sugar, brown sugar and pecans together. Spread over the top of the batter evenly. Pour hot water over the entire thing {WITHOUT STIRRING A THING!} and bake for 40 minutes or once the middle is set. {Be sure to place on a baking sheet incase it bubbles over.} Cool 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with more pecans and vanilla ice cream.
Video
Nutrition
*Recipe Updates*
I’ve gotten a TON of comments and feedback from all of you about this recipe since it’s become VERY popular within the last few weeks of me posting this. A lot of the same questions keep getting asked and asked again, so I thought I would address the most common ones below so that you can make this with success 🙂
Is 1/2 cup of pumpkin the correct amount?
YES! You only need 1/2 cup of canned plain pumpkin {NOT pumpkin pie filling} for this recipe.
Can I double the recipe?
YES! And I know that 3 cups of water seems excessive but that is typically what you do when you double a recipe. You double every single measurement. I suppose if you’re worried about it, you can reduce that amount. That just means you’ll have less caramelly-pumpkiny liquid underneath your cake.
Can I bake this in a 9×13 pan?
Yes, but only if you plan on doubling the recipe!
Mine didn’t cook all the way through. What’s wrong?
When I first was testing this recipe, mine came out all globby and mushy at first too. But then I switched over to new, fresh baking powder and that did the trick! Don’t forget the baking powder! Also, check your oven temperature. Mine is spot on at 350 degrees and my cobbler was done in 40 minutes exactly. Some ovens run hot, some run cold. Also, glass baking dishes cook food differently than metal or ceramic. Lots of different factors can affect the baking time. The cobbler might be done at 40 minutes or you might have to cook it closer to 50. As long as the center is baked, you should be good to go.
Can I make this gluten free?
I don’t see why not, though lots of gluten-free baking mixes vary significantly because of their different blends of flours. I’ve had good success with Pamela’s brand GF all-purpose flour baking blend.
Did you forget to list eggs as an ingredient?
NO! There are no eggs needed for this recipe.
Your casserole dish you used in this recipe looks big! Is it?
The casserole dish I used is a 9″x 6″ baking dish from Crate and Barrel. It’s on the small side for sure. I think there was some confusion because it’s so small yet in the recipe I state that you can get 8 servings. But, look at the increments. It doesn’t make a ton, but puffs up and is very sweet and decadent which is why I said it could serve 8.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, you definitely can, but the longer it sits, the less syrupy goodness remains. The best thing I could recommend is make the batter ahead of time (with double acting baking powder) and right before baking, add the sugar and nut topping along with the very hot water. That way, you’re still prepping ahead of time, but enjoying it fresh. The double acting baking powder is important because it helps the cobbler rise once when introduced to liquids and twice when it’s introduced to heat.
I have never frozen this recipe, so have no input on how that would work.
Hope that helps! Enjoy! xoxo -Lauren














This was really really good and very easy to adapt for gluten free for anyone else that might ask. I used Bob’s 1-1 and swapped in 1/3 c of almond flour. You don’t have to do that, but I needed to adjust the carb balance to make it a little more diabetic friendly. I also cut the sugar a bit in the batter and we didn’t miss it.
I ended up making a double batch of this and it was a HIT with the family on Thanksgiving! I did make a few changes though 😉 I substituted eggnog for milk, used pumpkin spice in place of cloves, and added extra pecans! The 2 subs were because I didn’t have milk or cloves but it was absolutely delicious. Definitely saving this one for the future!
Oh My! I scaled the recipe down for us. I did add about 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom and a pinch of ginger, I did not add the cloves- but everything else was as written. I just served it- and this is so delicious! It’s like magic! Any gathering this is served at is sure to be a hit! Thank you for this recipe.
Can you make this in individual ramekins?
Yes! You just have to be careful making sure you’re measuring the batter and the water evenly between each ramekin so they bake at the same rate.
This was really delicious. Perfect for cold fall weather calling for a sweet treat!. Great recipe. Makes a LOT. Thanks for sharing!
This cobbler was AMAZING!! Super easy to make. It was moist, full of flavor, and the sauce the water creates just makes it decadent! My family loved it! I will be making this again next week for Thanksgiving dinner. 🙂
Can this be made in the crockpot?
I’ve never tried it in the crockpot, but you are welcome to try!
I made this for me and my husband and one for his mom and another 2 pans for friends. I have been asked for the recipe by all! It is a wonderful autumn, fall luscious dessert! Me and my husband had to try it right out of the oven to make sure it was worthy of giving to friends and we ended up eating more it was so good! Can you tell me what the serving size is for calories?
It is 1/8th of the pan. It was a little hard for me to measure given there is cake floating on caramel sauce. Just cut it into 8 and do your best to dish it up.
Could I use individual ramekins. Also, would it be possible to half the recipe?
Yes you sure can! My only hesitation with that is being able to divide the batter and water evenly so they all bake at the same rate. If you are up for the challenge, go right ahead!
Can you make the batter a day ahead, store in fridge and do the topping and hot water thing the next day?
It might not rise as much, but should still work and be ok. Double check that your baking powder is double acting! That would be important for making ahead.
Wowwweee! This was fan-freakin tastic! I cut the sugar for the topping in half and it was still every bit goey and delicious! Next time I make this I think I’ll add some raisins and walnuts to the batter for extra texture:)
Holy buckets this is good! I had to bake for a full hour, but it was worth it. Thank you!
My daughter made this tonight and omg,so good! We had used a heavy glass pan so we added 10min and it was perfect!
I made it just as written, in a Round French White casserole dish (the only one I own with high sides, which u need). Top 8” diameter, bottom 6” diameter. I was sure all that water was going to ruin it, but the magic happened and it was perfect. The large amount of sugar (1 3/4 c) makes this a very, very sweet dessert. The sugar on top forms that nice crust. Tip for doneness: after 40 min I stuck a thin knife in the middle and it came out goopy. Ten more min and the knife came out clean and it was done. Thank you for sharing this, Lauren!
Used only 1/2 c sugar in cobbler. Also substituted applesauce for oil. Used much less clove. Doesn’t take much of it. Very yummy!
This was amazing. I made it gluten free and dairy free with swapping out the flour for gf flour and almond milk for the milk. INCREDIBLE!!!
Absolutely delicious! Made this today for Sunday dinner and my entire family loved it! Needless to say there were no leftovers.
This is delicious & easy!
I added 1/2 cp chopped apple to batter. I used 1/2 cp brown sugar + <1/4 cp Honey/maple syrup in the batter. For the topping I used 1/4 cup each sugar plus pecans and full 1 1/2 cps water.
It still came out perfect!
Thank you Lauren!
This is my go-to dessert, the BEST EVER! Always a group favorite.
do you spray or butter casserole before putting batter into casserole ?
No! It can go in without nonstick spray.
Can or where do I buy double acting BP?
AMAZING..I would give it 10 stars if I could. The only thing I had to do differently was cook it for 50 minutes..it wasnt caramelized enough at 40 minutes. You absolutely gave me a new favorite recipe..thanks
This is one of the best pumpkin desserts (besides pumpkin pie) we have ever had.
Was concerned about the 1 1/2 cups of water dumped on top but OMG! That was the sauce.
Very Good! Thank you for sharing.
This recipe came put just as they are pictured. Thank you Lauren! Thanksgiving hit!
Have you tried making cupcakes?
Lauren,, can I add an egg.? I have made other versions of this type of cake. I feel like the bread part is dry.
I mean, I guess you can?! But the cobbler is supposed to have a “dry” cake on top and the caramel liquid underneath. Do you mean it’s dry as in crumbly?
Can you make in a crockpot?
I’ve never tried! In theory, I think it should work, but I just don’t know timing. You are welcome to test this out and report back!!
I just made this and it’s delicious! I used gluten free flour, flax milk and a 1/2 cup of pecans instead of 1/4. Baked it for 45 mins. I also only had canned sweet potato on hand so I used that and it turned out great. When spreading the sugar it seems like a TON of sugar but trust me it works out in the end! Definitely let it cool down so the syrup gets nice and sticky! Ice cream or whipped cream is not an option! This fulfills my sticky bun void as an egg free, gluten free baker. So yummy will definitely be making this for thanksgiving!
Too much granulated sugar. Too little pumpkin. May try again by adjusting sugar and pumpkin amounts. For us it’s just too sugary.
A huge hit for the whole family — !
After the first bite my daughter begged to make this for thanksgiving.
This was super easy and so good! thank you for sharing will make this again
Now have you ever tried using heavy cream or something similar instead of water?
No, I haven’t. I think there have been a few readers who have used apple cider though.
I have some leftover pumpkin pie mix and wondered if I can adapt this recipie to use it up? I was thinking to just add the dry ingredients, then water and give it a shot ?
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I have recently become allergic to chocolate and this is indeed a very satisfying substitute. It hits all the right flavor receptors. I am gluten free — substituted organic white rice flour and the result was divine. I did have to leave it in about 50 minutes till the center firmed up, but it was worth the wait.
I made this recipe in the middle of March because I was in a fall mood and I was so pleased with the outcome. This recipe is AMAZING! The only addition I added was butter pecan ice cream while serving 🙂 I will definitely be printing this recipe and be making it again very soon.
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This was SO GOOD!! My family ate it up!!
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I have been requested to make this recipe so many times! We love it! I call it pumpkin lava cake.
This was absolutely delicious! The sauce was thick and Carmely and the cake spicy… My family asked for a repeat before we were through eating eat. We added a scoop of Carmel swirl ice cream.
I’ve frozen this before and it is still amazing re heated! Loooove this recipe ❤️
I used a fresh pumpkin to make my own purée. Will this work?
This is OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD amazing!! I doubled the recipe and baked it in a disposable 9×13 pan, cooked at the exact time mentioned. Ridiculous how good it is!
Thanks Lauren!!!!
I make this every year with success. It’s EVERYONE’s favorite. I double the recipe/ make it a day in advance and then just microwave the serving and top with ice cream. Remember to plop upside down in serving dish so carmely sauce is mostly on top. It’s ugly and amazing. The most delicious 😋
Do we still bake for 40 min if we double the recipe?
It might need a little longer in the oven, like 10-15 minutes. But definitely check it after 40! Every oven is different.
[…] with Jacky, we proceeded to spend the next hour and a half making pumpkin rolls, flatbread and cobbler while Grace deseeded a pumpkin. We started with the rolls since they had the longest prep time. […]
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