Southern Butter Pecan Cake

• Author: deesviral
• Cuisine: Southern American
• Category: Dessert
• Keywords: butter pecan cake, southern desserts, homemade cake, holiday baking
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups chopped toasted pecans

For the Frosting:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk. Begin and end with dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
6. Fold in 1 1/2 cups of toasted pecans evenly into the batter.
7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
8. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
10. While the cakes cool, prepare the frosting by beating cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
11. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed. Stir in vanilla extract.
12. Once cakes are completely cool, spread frosting between layers and over the top and sides of the cake.
13. Garnish with extra chopped pecans for a stunning finish.

Troubleshooting & Consistency Tips

If your cake layers turn out too dense, make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before creaming. Overmixing can also cause toughness, so mix just until ingredients are combined. For the frosting, if it’s too runny, add more powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

Storage & Make-Ahead

Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. You can also freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months; wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of toasted pecans and creamy frosting creates a balance of nutty crunch and velvety sweetness. By using room temperature ingredients and alternating the dry ingredients with milk, this recipe ensures a tender crumb every time. Tested by deesviral, it guarantees reliable results and rave reviews.

Expert Tips

• Toast the pecans beforehand to enhance their natural flavor and crunch.
• For extra flavor, add a splash of maple extract to the frosting.
• Use cake strips around your pans for evenly baked layers.
• Chill the cake layers for 30 minutes before frosting to prevent crumbs in the icing.