Start by whisking together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a medium-sized bowl. Mixing the dry ingredients first ensures the spices spread evenly throughout the batter, giving the cobbler a balanced flavor in every bite.
In a smaller bowl, stir together the pumpkin puree, milk, melted butter, and vanilla. The pumpkin puree should be smooth, and the melted butter slightly cooled. Mixing these before adding them to the dry ingredients ensures the batter stays lump-free and blends easily.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently. The batter will be thick, which is exactly what you want. Don’t overmix, as that can make the cobbler dense. Spread this thick batter evenly into the casserole dish, making sure it covers the bottom.
In another bowl, stir together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter. This sweet and nutty topping will create the crunchy crust and help form the caramel sauce.
Carefully pour the very hot water over the top of the mixture. Do not stir it in—this step is crucial. The hot water works its magic in the oven, creating a luscious caramel sauce underneath the cake layer.
Place the casserole dish on top of a baking sheet to catch any bubbling over. Bake at 350°F for about 40 minutes, or until the middle looks set. The top should be golden brown, with the sauce bubbling slightly at the edges.
Allow the cobbler to cool for 5–10 minutes before serving. This lets the sauce thicken slightly while still staying warm. Serve with vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of pecans for the ultimate fall dessert experience.