Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or a similar-sized ovenproof dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. These aromatic spices create the signature fall flavor that pairs perfectly with pumpkin.
In a separate bowl, whisk the pumpkin puree, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined. The mixture should be creamy and fragrant.
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix — the batter should be thick but smooth.
Spread the pumpkin batter evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface.
2️⃣ Add the Pecan Topping
In a small bowl, mix together the chopped pecans, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until evenly combined.
Sprinkle this pecan-sugar mixture evenly over the pumpkin batter. The sugars will melt into the batter during baking, creating a rich caramel-like sauce at the bottom of the cobbler.
Slowly and carefully pour the hot water over the entire dish — do not stir. The water will sit on top initially but will transform into a gooey sauce as the cobbler bakes.
