Description
Indulgent Southern pecan caramel cake promises sweet southern comfort with rich layers of buttery goodness. Warm notes of caramel and toasted pecans invite you to savor a slice of homemade tradition that speaks directly to the heart.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup salted or unsalted butter
- 1 cup pecans (chopped)
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup whole milk
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F and thoroughly coat three 9-inch round cake pans with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
- Cream butter and sugar until achieving a light, airy texture. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
- Separately combine dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually integrate the dry mixture into the creamed ingredients, alternating with milk. Gently fold chopped pecans throughout the batter to distribute evenly.
- Distribute batter equally among prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire cooling racks.
- Create caramel frosting by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and milk, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- Gradually whisk powdered sugar and vanilla into the cooled caramel mixture until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Once cake layers have completely cooled, generously apply caramel frosting between layers and across the entire cake surface. Optional: Embellish with drizzled caramel and whole pecans just before serving for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch to the cake’s texture.
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smoother batter and more even cake layers.
- Check cake doneness by gently pressing the center; it should spring back when fully baked.
- Gluten-free option: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for sensitive diets.
- For a lighter version, substitute half the butter with Greek yogurt to reduce overall fat content.
- Cool caramel frosting completely to prevent runny consistency and ensure proper cake coverage.
- Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature for maximum moisture retention.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern United States
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 552 kcal
- Sugar: 49 g
- Sodium: 234 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 87 mg