Heavenly Butter Pecan Cake Recipe – Sweet & Scrumptious

Sweet southern bakers have perfected the butter pecan delight cake with generations of love and skill.

Layers of rich, golden cake mingle with toasted pecans and smooth buttercream.

Each slice promises a luxurious dance of nutty warmth and tender crumb.

Pecans add a delightful crunch that breaks through the cake silky texture.

butter creates a deeply comforting foundation that melts in your mouth with every forkful.

The aroma alone draws hungry guests to the kitchen, promising a dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

Dive into this classic southern treat that turns an ordinary afternoon into a celebration of flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need for Butter Pecan Cake

• Butter Pecan Cake Mix: Foundational flavor that provides a rich, nutty base with convenient preparation.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds luxurious creaminess and helps create a moist, decadent texture.

• Caramel Ice Cream Topping: Introduces a smooth, golden sweetness that penetrates deeply into cake layers.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic undertone that elevates overall dessert complexity.

• Butter: Creates silky, rich foundation for topping with smooth melting properties.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel notes and complex sweetness with natural molasses undertones.
• Heavy Cream: Helps create glossy, velvety consistency in praline mixture.
• Pecans: Adds delightful crunch, authentic southern texture, and nutty depth to topping.

Kitchen Tools for Butter Pecan Cake

• 9×13 inch baking dish: Perfect for baking and serving the entire cake.
• Wooden spoon handle: Essential for creating even holes in the warm cake.
• Saucepan: Needed for preparing the delicious praline topping.
• Spatula: Helps spread the praline mixture evenly across the cake.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Mixing bowl: Useful for preparing the cake mix according to package instructions.

How to Make Butter Pecan Cake Moist and Rich

• Oven Preparation

Crank up the oven to the temperature specified on the cake mix package. This sets the stage for a delectable dessert that’ll make mouths water.

• Cake Foundation

Mix and bake the butter pecan cake in a spacious 9×13 inch baking dish, following the package guidelines with precision and care.

• Hole Creation

While the cake is still warm and inviting, take a wooden spoon handle and playfully poke holes across the entire surface. These little tunnels will help soak up the upcoming deliciousness.

• Liquid Magic

Drench the warm cake with sweetened condensed milk, watching it seep into every crevice and promise rich, creamy goodness.

• Caramel Cascade

Generously drizzle caramel topping over the cake, ensuring it finds its way into the prepped holes for maximum flavor impact.

• Praline Power

In a saucepan, transform butter, brown sugar, and cream into a bubbling symphony. Let it dance and thicken for a few magical minutes.

• Nutty Finale

Pull the saucepan off the heat and stir in vanilla and chopped pecans. Pour this heavenly mixture over the cake, spreading it with loving care.

• Patience Pays Off

Allow the cake to cool completely, letting all the layers meld into a spectacular dessert that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips to Perfect Your Butter Pecan Cake

• Pecan Perfection Hacks: Baking Brilliance
• Moisture Magic: Replace half the sweetened condensed milk with dulce de leche for extra richness and deeper caramel undertones.
• Nutty Twist: Toast pecans before chopping to enhance their natural buttery flavor and add a delightful crunch to the praline topping.
• Texture Transformation: For a more decadent dessert, crumble some graham crackers or shortbread cookies into the praline mixture before spreading over the cake.
• Temperature Tactics: Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to create a mouthwatering contrast between hot and cold textures.
• Flavor Fusion: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the finished cake to balance the sweetness and elevate the overall flavor profile.

Serving Butter Pecan Cake for Gatherings

• Sweet Celebration Centerpiece: Serve this decadent butter pecan cake as the star dessert at family gatherings, birthday parties, or holiday celebrations. Its rich caramel and praline layers make it a showstopping treat that will have everyone asking for seconds.
• Chilled Comfort Companion: Refrigerate slices for an hour before serving to enhance the cake's dense, moist texture. The cool temperature helps the caramel and praline topping set beautifully, creating a delightful contrast of temperatures and flavors.
• Elegant Dessert Pairing: Complement the cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. A hot cup of coffee or caramel-infused espresso will perfectly balance the cake's sweet and nutty profile, elevating the entire dessert experience.
• Gourmet Gift Option: Package individual slices in decorative boxes with a ribbon for a homemade gift. This cake makes a thoughtful present for friends, neighbors, or coworkers who appreciate a luxurious, home-baked dessert with gourmet flair.

Best Way to Keep Butter Pecan Cake Fresh

• Smart Slice Strategy: Cut the cake into individual portions before refrigerating, making grab-and-go treats easier throughout the week.
• Chilled Delight Duration: Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining its rich, moist texture and scrumptious praline flavor.
• Freezing Fresh Goodness: Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for a quick dessert that tastes freshly made.
• Room Temperature Magic: Let refrigerated cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften the praline topping and enhance its gooey, caramel-like consistency.

Heavenly Butter Pecan Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Succulent butter pecan delight cake combines Southern charm with rich, nutty flavors. Layers of moist cake and creamy frosting create a dessert you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box butter pecan cake mix
• Ingredients required for cake mix preparation (as specified on box)
• 1 can (14 oz / 396 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 jar (12 oz / 340 g) caramel ice cream topping
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup (113 g / ½ stick) butter
• 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Cake Preparation: Preheat oven according to cake mix package and bake butter pecan cake in a 9×13 inch baking dish following package instructions.
2. Cake Modification: While cake remains warm, puncture multiple holes across surface using wooden spoon handle, then drench with sweetened condensed milk, ensuring complete absorption.
3. Caramel Enhancement: Generously drizzle caramel ice cream topping over cake, allowing it to seep into previously created holes.
4. Praline Sauce Creation: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over moderate heat, then blend brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring constantly until mixture reaches a rolling boil and thickens slightly (2-3 minutes).
5. Flavor Infusion: Remove saucepan from heat, incorporate vanilla extract and finely chopped pecans, creating a glossy praline mixture.
6. Final Assembly: Pour praline topping across cake surface, using a spatula to distribute evenly and ensure complete coverage.
7. Cooling and Serving: Allow cake to rest at room temperature until toppings solidify and flavors meld, then serve and enjoy.

Notes

• Hole Technique: Create multiple small punctures across the cake surface to help toppings penetrate deeply and enhance moisture absorption.
• Temperature Matters: Keep cake warm when adding sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping to ensure maximum flavor infusion.
• Consistent Stirring: When preparing praline sauce, stir continuously to prevent burning and achieve smooth, even consistency.
• Cooling Patience: Allow cake to cool completely at room temperature so layers can settle and flavors can develop fully before serving.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg