I get where KSWL is coming from (at least I think so). I'm not big on cake mixes either. A good made-from-scratch cake is hard to beat. But there are "dump cake" (I hate that name) type cakes that are not made from mixes. Kind of like an Apple Betty or a fruit crisp. I've made one that is quite good - no cake mix, you make the topping from scratch. Oats are a good addition - as are pecans (as someone mentioned above). Fresh fruit is also used - not canned pie filling. So much better and by using your own recipe instead of a cake mix and canned pie filling, you can control the fat and sugar content (at least somewhat). tina

i've made the cherry dump cake the night before and it was good the following day. Don't see why you couldn't do the same with the pumpkin cake. Or you could mix the wet ingred. and spices together and refrigerate that overnight. Next morning sprinkle the cake mix and nuts, drizzle with butter and bake. May take longer unless the wet ingred. are brought up to room temp. first.

I realize this is an old thread, and at the risk of ruining my (new) reputation, I can't resist telling the word, under my assumed name, that in a moment of weakness and nostalgia and totally out of character, I did indeed order the dump cake book "which included a "free" dump dinner book, and a "free" ceramic frying pan. Laugh all you want . The truth of the matter is that the book is really kinda fun. My daughter used to make a couple of the dump cakes when she was first married in the early 80's, so I'm going to surprise her & her husband this coming Sat nite when they come for a leg of lamb dinner & serve a dump cake for dessert! What's that rumbling??? Oh, I know, it is several of you shuddering. Most of the time, our families "eat healthy", (including my 100 year old father!) but Saturday night we will sink into decadence, The cherries actually sound good after the lamb, peas, etc and I know they will get a kick out of it. You know, the book had several tempting versions of the dump cake, and over the years I will probably enjoy using some of them. The dump dinner cookbook was actually just a 39 page paperback, and haven't perused it yet, but would think the advantage of a dump dinner as opposed to a crockpot dinner is going to be not having to plan as far ahead. Sorry this is so late & so long; I just couldn't resist since no one (but me :) ) seems to have actually ordered it! I probably would not do it again, as the scottish side of me is horrified that I spent $27 on a whim, for a questionable cookbook, with "free stuff" which of course you are pretty much paying for in the 7.99 shipping, and probably inflated price of the cookbook. I hope they can stop laughing long enough Sat nite to eat & enjoy the decadent, quirky expensive cake.

How about rum balls made with oreo cookies (found at Chowhound): Midnight Rum Balls 1 small package (8.5 oz.) Oreo cookies 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar 1 cup finely chopped nuts (optional - I leave 'em out) 3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (sweetened cocoa is fine, too) 2 Tbsp corn syrup 1/3 cup rum (don't use more!) granulated sugar Put whole cookies in food processor and whiz until finely crushed. In medium bowl, combine crumbs, powdered sugar, nuts, and cocoa. Blend in corn syrup and rum. Wet hands and shape mixture into one-inch balls; roll in granulated sugar. Store covered, in a cool place. (Rum balls are better after they have "mellowed" for a day or two.) Variation: Prepare marinated cherries: soak a jar of sour cherries in rum or kirsch for a week or two. When ready to use, drain cherries well, then pat dry. Wrap mixture around a cherry and roll in sugar as above. I've also made these cookies with a different alcohol - Chambord (black raspberry liqueur) is really nice. I'll bet an orange liqueur would be good, too.