Introduction

Welcome to the world of Pecan Cake, a delightful dessert that perfectly captures the sweet and nutty flavors of pecans. This cake is not just any ordinary dessert; it embodies the warmth of southern hospitality and is a favorite for special occasions, holidays, and family gatherings. Imagine sinking your fork into a rich and buttery slice of cake, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that complements the nutty texture perfectly. This recipe is a fantastic way to showcase the unique flavor profile of pecans, making it a standout choice for those who appreciate nut-based desserts. Whether you’re baking for a festive celebration or simply craving a sweet treat, this moist pecan cake recipe is sure to impress.

Ingredients

• Dry Ingredients:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
• Wet Ingredients:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
• Other:
  • 1 ½ cups chopped pecans (toasted for extra flavor)
  • 1 batch cream cheese frosting (see below for ingredients)

Steps / Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
3. In another bowl, cream the softened butter until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Stir in the vanilla extract and buttermilk into the butter and egg mixture until just combined.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Fold in the chopped pecans gently until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together 8 oz of softened cream cheese, ½ cup of softened butter, 4 cups of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
10. Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one cake layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the top and sides of the cake.

Tips & Tricks

To achieve the best results with your homemade pecan cake, consider the following tips: You can learn more about this topic.

• Ingredient Quality: Use high-quality butter and real vanilla extract for a richer flavor.
• Toasting Pecans: Toasting the pecans enhances their flavor. Simply spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Make Ahead: The cake layers can be baked a day in advance. Just wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to frost.
• Avoid Overmixing: Mix just until the ingredients are combined to keep the cake moist and tender.

Variations

There are many ways to customize your pecan cake to suit your taste: Check out our related guide for more tips.

• Chocolate Pecan Cake: Add ½ cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a chocolate twist.
• Spiced Pecan Cake: Incorporate cinnamon or nutmeg into the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• Vegan Option: Replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water per egg) and use vegan butter and plant-based milk.

Serving Suggestions

For the perfect presentation, consider serving your pecan cake with cream cheese frosting alongside:

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Fresh berries for a pop of color
• A cup of hot coffee or tea to complement the sweet and nutty flavors

Conclusion

Now that you have the recipe for this delectable moist pecan cake, it’s time to get baking! This cake not only makes for an excellent dessert for special occasions, but it also brings a slice of southern charm to any gathering. We hope you enjoy creating this rich and buttery cake that is sure to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. Happy baking!

Pecan Cake

★★★★★ 5 from 1 vote

Course: Dessert Cuisine: American Difficulty: Easy

🍽️

Servings

8

⏱️

Prep Time

20 min

🍳

Cook Time

30 min

🔥

Calories

—

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A delightful dessert that perfectly captures the sweet and nutty flavors of pecans. This cake is not just any ordinary dessert; it embodies the warmth of southern hospitality and is a favorite for special occasions, holidays, and family gatherings.

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Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 ½ cups chopped pecans (toasted for extra flavor)
• 1 batch cream cheese frosting

Directions

1.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

2.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.

3.

In another bowl, cream the softened butter until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

4.

Stir in the vanilla extract and buttermilk into the butter and egg mixture until just combined.

5.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

6.

Fold in the chopped pecans gently until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

7.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8.

Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

9.

While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together 8 oz of softened cream cheese, ½ cup of softened butter, 4 cups of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

10.

Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one cake layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the top and sides of the cake.

Nutrition Facts