With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I'm always looking for that one "showstopper" dessert that will have the whole family talking. This Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake is that dessert! It's incredibly easy, feeds a crowd, and the name alone makes everyone giggle.
It's the easiest pumpkin poke cake with layers of caramel, toffee, and cream, an absolute holiday champion! This pumpkin cake is made in the 'Better Than Sex' style with moist pumpkin cake soaked in caramel and cream, topped with fluffy whipped topping and toffee bits.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- Ingredients for Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- How to Make Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- My Top Tips for Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- Making Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake with My Family
- Substitutions for Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- Variations on Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- Equipment for Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- Storage Tips for Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- Adam's Tip for Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- FAQ about Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- Conclusion
- Related
- Pairing
- recipe
Why You'll Love This Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- Easy to make: This pumpkin better than sex cake with cake mix starts with a box mix, making it incredibly simple even for beginner bakers.
- Make-ahead friendly: The cake needs to chill overnight in the fridge, which means you can prep it the day before and have one less thing to worry about on party day.
- Crowd-pleasing: The combination of pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, Cool Whip topping, and Heath bar / toffee bits creates layers of flavor and texture everyone loves.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
This pumpkin better than sex cake recipe combines simple ingredients to create something spectacular. Pumpkin puree helps to make the yellow cake super moist while the caramel sauce drizzle and toffee bits add sweetness and crunch. You can make this as pumpkin better than sex cake with cream cheese by adding a cream cheese layer for extra richness.
What You'll Need
For the Cake:
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
- 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
For the Topping Layers:
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup caramel sauce, divided
- 1 container (8 ounces) Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 cup Heath toffee bits or crushed Heath bars
- Additional caramel sauce for drizzling
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Pumpkin puree and yellow cake mix: This combination creates a moist pumpkin spiced cake that's tender and full of fall flavor without being too dense.
- Sweetened condensed milk and caramel: These soak into the poke-holes in cake, creating pockets of sweet, creamy goodness throughout.
- Heath bar / toffee bits: Add the perfect crunch and buttery toffee flavor that contrasts beautifully with the soft, creamy layers.
How to Make Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
Step-by-Step Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix and pumpkin puree along with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
- Add water, oil, and eggs. Mix until smooth and well combined, about 2 minutes.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- In a medium bowl, mix the sweetened condensed milk with ½ cup of caramel sauce.
- Pour this mixture over the warm cake, making sure it seeps into all the holes.
- Let the cake cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight for best results).
- Before serving, spread the Cool Whip evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle with Heath toffee bits and drizzle with the remaining caramel sauce.
Hint: For pumpkin better than sex cake from scratch, replace the cake mix with 2 cups flour, 1 ½ cups sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt.
My Top Tips for Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
Don't skip the cooling and refrigeration time. The cake needs to absorb all that sweetened condensed milk and caramel mixture, and this happens best when the cake is completely cool and has time to soak overnight. The patience is worth it because you'll have a moist pumpkin cake soaked in caramel and cream that's incredibly tender. This technique is similar to what we use with our best German chocolate cake recipe, where proper soaking time makes all the difference.
Making Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake with My Family
Last weekend, Adam helped me make this fall dessert / autumn baking masterpiece. When I told him the name, he giggled and said, "Mom, that's a weird name for cake." I explained it just means it's really, really good. He was in charge of poking the holes, which he took very seriously.
The next day, when we finally cut into the chilled cake, Adam took a bite and his eyes got wide. "Okay, I get it now. This is SO good," he said with his mouth full. Grandma Viola tried some and said, "Pumpkin puree, luscious sweetened condensed milk, fluffy Cool Whip, crunchy Heath bits, and a drizzle of caramel make this absolutely divine. This is definitely going in my Thanksgiving rotation."
Substitutions for Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- Cake mix: Use spice cake mix instead of yellow for even more fall flavor, or try better than anything pumpkin spice cake style.
- Whipped topping: Replace Cool Whip with freshly whipped heavy cream for a homemade touch.
- Toffee bits: Use chopped pecans or walnuts for a different crunch, or mini chocolate chips for chocolate lovers.
- Caramel: Try butterscotch sauce for a different sweet note that's equally delicious.
Variations on Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- Cream cheese layer: Make pumpkin better than sex cake with cream cheese by beating 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 1 cup powdered sugar and folding into the Cool Whip.
- Pioneer Woman style: Try pumpkin better than sex cake pioneer woman inspired by adding a layer of cream cheese frosting before the Cool Whip.
- Dump cake version: Create better than pumpkin dump cake by layering ingredients without mixing and letting them bake together. Check out these Paul's pumpkin bars for more pumpkin dessert inspiration.
Equipment for Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- 9x13-inch baking pan: The perfect size for this layered dessert that serves a crowd.
- Electric mixer: For combining the cake batter smoothly and evenly.
- Wooden spoon handle: The classic tool for poking holes in the cake for the sauce to soak through.
- Rubber spatula: For spreading the Cool Whip topping evenly and smoothly.
Storage Tips for Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
- Refrigerator: This cake must be stored in the fridge. Cover tightly and keep for up to 4 days.
- Make-ahead: This is perfect as a make-ahead / chill overnight dessert. Make it 1 to 2 days before serving for best results.
- Freezing: Not recommended for this cake once assembled, as the Cool Whip and caramel don't freeze well.
This is one of those thanksgiving cakes that's perfect for holiday gatherings. The moist pumpkin spiced cake base with all the creamy, crunchy toppings makes it ideal for fall dessert recipes. It pairs beautifully with our mini blueberry muffins for a complete dessert spread, or serve it alongside our Texas chocolate pecan pie for variety.
Adam's Tip for Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
"Make sure you poke the holes really deep so the caramel can get all the way in there. That's what makes it so good. Also, don't eat it right away. Waiting until the next day is torture but it's worth it."
FAQ about Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
What are the ingredients for Better Than Sex Cake?
Traditional Better Than Sex Cake ingredients include chocolate cake, sweetened condensed milk, caramel sauce, Cool Whip, and Heath bars. For this pumpkin better than sex cake, we use yellow cake mix, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, water, oil, and eggs. Mix until smooth for the base. Then add pumpkin puree, luscious sweetened condensed milk, fluffy Cool Whip, crunchy Heath bits, and a drizzle of caramel for the toppings. It's a cozy, spiced autumn version of the classic.
Can you add a can of pumpkin to a spice cake mix?
Yes! Pumpkin puree helps to make the yellow cake super moist and adds natural moisture and flavor. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix and pumpkin puree with your spices. You can use 1 can (15 ounces) of pumpkin with a standard cake mix. Some recipes use just the pumpkin and cake mix with no other wet ingredients, while others add eggs and oil for richer texture. Either way works beautifully for moist pumpkin cake.
Does Better Than Sex Cake have to be refrigerated?
Yes, Better Than Sex Cake must be refrigerated because it contains perishable ingredients like sweetened condensed milk and Cool Whip topping. The cake should be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. In fact, refrigeration is essential for this make-ahead / chill overnight dessert because it allows the cake to absorb all the sweet sauces. Always keep it cold until ready to serve.
What is the 1234 rule in baking?
The 1234 rule in baking is a classic ratio for making pound cake from scratch: 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 3 cups flour, and 4 eggs. This easy-to-remember ratio creates a basic cake that you can flavor however you like. While this pumpkin better than sex cake with cake mix doesn't use this rule, knowing it helps when you want to make pumpkin better than sex cake from scratch by creating your own base cake using traditional ratios.
Conclusion
Get ready to be the star of the holiday! This decadent, gooey Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake is the ultimate thanksgiving cakes showstopper. The moist pumpkin spiced cake with Heath bar / toffee bits and caramel sauce drizzle is everything you need.
Whether you make it as better than anything pumpkin cake or try the cream cheese variation, it's always a winner. If you're looking for more pumpkin dessert recipes, try our rose pistachio cheesecake ice cream or best German chocolate cake recipe. Let me know how yours turns out! Enjoy.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake:
recipe
Easy Pumpkin Better Than Sex Cake
Equipment
- 1 9x13-inch baking pan Grease well for easy serving
- 1 Large mixing bowl For cake batter
- 1 Electric mixer Makes mixing easier
- 1 Wooden spoon handle For poking holes
- 1 Rubber spatula For spreading topping
Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Cake
- 1 box yellow cake mix 15.25 oz
- 1 can pumpkin puree 15 oz
- ¼ cup brown sugar Packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs Room temperature
For the Topping Layers
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 oz
- 1 cup caramel sauce Divided
- 1 container Cool Whip 8 oz, thawed
- 1 cup Heath toffee bits Or crushed bars
- caramel sauce For drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease the baking dish. Olivia always reminds me, “Don’t forget the corners, Mom!”
- In a large bowl, combine [cake mix], [pumpkin puree], [brown sugar], [cinnamon], [ginger], and [nutmeg] until blended.
- Add [water], [oil], and [eggs]. Mix until smooth. My little helper always wants to crack the eggs—messy but priceless.
- Pour batter into pan and bake 30–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool 10 minutes, then poke holes all over with the wooden spoon handle. Olivia calls these “caramel tunnels.”
- Mix [sweetened condensed milk] with ½ cup [caramel sauce] and pour slowly over warm cake.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours (overnight is best). This is the hardest waiting test of all.
- Spread [Cool Whip] evenly over the top.
- Top with [toffee bits] and drizzle the remaining [caramel sauce] generously.
Notes
- For cream cheese variation, blend 8 oz cream cheese with 1 cup powdered sugar and fold into Cool Whip.
- Spice cake mix can replace yellow mix for deeper fall flavor.
- Use butterscotch sauce instead of caramel for a twist.
- Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
- Not freezer-friendly once assembled.
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