Description
Indulgent chocolate pecan dream cake whisks chocolate lovers into a world of rich, nutty bliss. Layers of moist chocolate sponge and buttery pecan frosting promise pure dessert paradise for anyone craving an unforgettable sweet experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup boiling water (or hot coffee)
- 1 cup chopped pecans (toasted)
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Ganache Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or high-quality dark chocolate)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish Ingredients:
- ½ cup toasted pecan halves
- Chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Prepare the cake base by mixing dry ingredients including flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl at room temperature.
- Incorporate eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract into the dry mixture, whisking until a smooth, consistent batter forms.
- Gently fold in boiling water, creating a thin, liquid-like cake batter. The consistency will appear more watery than traditional cake batters.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing and lightly flouring the surfaces to prevent sticking.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, ensuring smooth, level distribution.
- Bake the cake layers for 30-35 minutes in the preheated oven, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when the cakes are fully baked.
- Remove cakes from oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack, which typically takes about 1-2 hours.
- Create the pecan filling by combining brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly for 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Remove the pecan filling from heat and fold in chopped pecans and vanilla extract, then let it cool to room temperature.
- Prepare chocolate frosting by beating butter until creamy and gradually mixing in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and milk until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the cake by placing the first cake layer on a serving plate and spreading the cooled pecan filling evenly across the surface.
- Carefully position the second cake layer on top of the pecan filling.
- Frost the entire cake with the prepared chocolate frosting, covering the top and sides completely and smoothly.
Notes
- Swap flour for gluten-free alternatives like almond or coconut flour to make the cake suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Reduce sugar content by using natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit for a lower-calorie version of this decadent dessert.
- Toast pecans before adding to the filling to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex taste profile.
- Consider adding a pinch of sea salt to the chocolate frosting to balance the sweetness and create a more sophisticated flavor dimension.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 437 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg