Southern Butter Pecan Cake

Southern Butter Pecan Cake

10 servings
Moist Southern Butter Pecan Cake loaded with pecans and frosted with a pecan brown sugar cream cheese frosting!

Ingredients

  • pecan chips
    1 ½ c
  • unsalted butter

    melted

    3 tbsp
  • cinnamon
    ½ tsp
  • all-purpose flour
    2 c
  • baking powder
    1 ½ tsp
  • salt
    ¼ tsp
  • granulated sugar
    1 ½ c
  • light brown sugar

    packed

    ½ c
  • unsalted butter

    room temperature

    12 tbsp
  • eggs
    2
  • egg yolk
    1
  • vanilla extract
    1 ½ tsp
  • maple extract
    ½ tsp
  • sour cream
    ½ c
  • whole milk
    1 c
  • cream cheese

    room temperature

    8 oz
  • unsalted butter

    room temperature

    4 tbsp
  • fresh light brown sugar)

    (soft, with no lumps

    ½ c
  • vanilla extract
    ½ tsp
  • maple extract
    ½ tsp
  • salt

    pinch

  • powdered sugar
    2 ½ c
  • buttered pecan chips
    ½ c

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350. Generously grease 2 9-inch cake pans with shortening and lightly dust with flour. Set aside.

Prepare the pecans

  1. 1

    In a large bowl, toss pecan chips with melted butter and cinnamon.

  2. 2

    Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 6 minutes, flipping halfway. Pecans should be fragrant & slightly crunchy when removed from the oven. They will become crunchier as they cool.

  3. 3

    Let pecans cool on the pan once cooled, removed 1/2 cup of pecans, and blend in a food processor until creamy. Set aside until ready to use.

Make the cake!

  1. 1

    In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, cream together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and butter.

  3. 3

    Mix in eggs and egg yolk.

  4. 4

    Mix in vanilla extract, maple extract, and sour cream.

  5. 5

    Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk.

  6. 6

    Once batter is combined and fluffy, stir in the pecan butter and 1/2 cup of the butter pecan chips (reserve the other 1/2 cup for the frosting)

  7. 7

    Pour batter evenly into prepared pans and bake for 25-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (may need more or less time so check on it at the 25-minute mark)

  8. 8

    Allow the cakes to cool in the pan until the pans are cool enough to touch, and then carefully, remove them from the pans and allow them to cool completely on a cooling rack.

Make the frosting

  1. 1

    In a large bowl, cream together cream cheese, and butter.

  2. 2

    Add brown sugar and mix until fluffy and light. (The brown sugar should be completely mixed in and creamy without a gritty texture)

  3. 3

    Mix in vanilla extract, maple extract, and a pinch of salt.

  4. 4

    Gradually mix in powdered sugar until frosting is smooth and creamy.

  5. 5

    Frost cooled cakes.

Southern Butter Pecan Cake

Southern Butter Pecan Cake

4.6(150)58 min10 servings

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Ratings & Reviews

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Based on 150 ratings

divascancook.com
4.6(150 reviews)
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About this Recipe

Dreaming of a classic Southern dessert that's rich, moist, and utterly irresistible? This Southern Butter Pecan Cake delivers on all fronts, bringing a taste of comfort and tradition directly to your table.

What makes this recipe truly special is the delightful combination of pecan chips baked into the cake and generously folded into the rich pecan brown sugar cream cheese frosting. The careful balance of both vanilla and maple extracts in the cake and frosting enhances the traditional Southern butter pecan flavor, creating a truly comforting and indulgent dessert experience.

Prepare for a truly indulgent experience with this cake. You'll find a beautifully moist and tender cake crumb, generously studded with crunchy pecan chips that add delightful texture and a deep, nutty flavor. The crowning glory is a luscious, creamy, and subtly tangy brown sugar cream cheese frosting, infused with more pecans and a hint of maple and vanilla, balancing the sweetness with a touch of sophisticated warmth. This cake promises a decadent, satisfying slice of pure Southern comfort with every bite.

To personalize this Southern Butter Pecan Cake, consider adjusting the balance of vanilla extract and maple extract in both the cake and the frosting to suit your taste preference. For an even more pronounced pecan presence, you might use slightly larger chopped pecans in the cake batter in addition to or instead of just chips, adding extra texture.

This stately Southern Butter Pecan Cake is ideal for special gatherings, holiday celebrations, or as a show-stopping dessert for any occasion. Serve it with a fresh cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk to truly savor its comforting flavors.

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