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Butter Pecan Cake – A Southern-Style Classic with Cream Cheese Frosting & Toasted Pecans

Warm, nutty, buttery, and perfectly sweet — this Butter Pecan Cake is everything you love about old-fashioned Southern baking. With toasted pecans folded into a tender, moist cake and frosted with a velvety cream cheese buttercream, it’s the ultimate comfort dessert that feels both nostalgic and elegant. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, holiday gathering, or just because you want a slice of homey happiness, this cake delivers. The rich flavor of brown sugar and vanilla paired with crunchy pecans and smooth frosting makes it absolutely irresistible.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling & Assembly 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

🥚 Fresh
  • 2 large eggs
🧁 Dry & Baking Essentials
  • 3 cups cake flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/3 cup light brown sugar firmly packed
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
🌰 Nuts
  • 1 3/4 cups pecan halves toasted and chopped (reserve some for topping)
🧈 Dairy
  • 2 1/2 cups unsalted butter room temperature (divided)
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk room temperature
  • 6 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 tbsp heavy cream
🍦 Flavoring
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • To make this beauty of a cake, you’ll need:
  • Three 8-inch or two 9-inch cake pans
  • Electric mixer or stand mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk & spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheet (for toasting pecans)
  • Cooling racks
  • Offset spatula (optional for frosting)
  • 🧁 Pro tip: Toasting the pecans first deepens the flavor and adds irresistible crunch.

Method
 

Step 1: Toast the Pecans
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Spread pecan halves on a baking sheet.
  3. Toast for 7–9 minutes, until fragrant.
  4. Cool, then chop 1 1/4 cups; reserve 1/2 cup for topping.
🔥 Don’t skip this step — toasted pecans are key to authentic flavor.
    Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
    1. Grease and flour cake pans; line bottoms with parchment.
    2. In a large bowl, whisk:
    3. Cake flour
    4. Baking powder
    5. Baking soda
    6. Salt
    7. In another bowl, beat together:
    8. 1 cup butter
    9. Brown sugar
    10. Granulated sugar
    11. for 3–5 minutes until fluffy.
    12. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
    13. Mix in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
    14. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, starting and ending with dry.
    15. Mix just until combined.
    16. Fold in 1 1/4 cups chopped toasted pecans.
    Step 3: Bake the Cake Layers
    1. Divide batter evenly into pans.
    2. Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
    3. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
    Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
    1. In a large bowl, beat:
    2. 1 1/2 cups butter
    3. 6 oz cream cheese
    4. until smooth and fluffy.
    5. Gradually add:
    6. 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
    7. 1 tbsp heavy cream
    8. 1 tsp vanilla
    9. Beat until light, creamy, and spreadable. Add more cream if needed.
    Step 5: Assemble the Cake
    1. Level the cakes if necessary.
    2. Place the first layer on a cake plate.
    3. Spread frosting evenly, then repeat with remaining layers.
    4. Frost the sides and top of the cake.
    5. Garnish with:
    6. Reserved toasted pecans
    7. Optional drizzle of caramel or brown butter

    Notes

    🧊 Storage & Reheating
    Refrigerator
    Store covered for up to 5 days. Let come to room temp before serving.
    Freezer
    Freeze individual slices or the whole cake (well-wrapped) for up to 2 months.
    Make-Ahead Tip
    Bake the cake layers ahead and freeze for easier frosting later.
    ❄️ Frosted cakes freeze beautifully if wrapped tightly and thawed in the fridge overnight.
    🥄 Variations
    🍫 Chocolate Butter Pecan Cake – Add chocolate chips to the batter or layer with ganache.
    🥃 Bourbon Pecan Cake – Add 1–2 tbsp bourbon to the batter or frosting.
    🍁 Maple Cream Cheese Frosting – Swap vanilla for maple extract or add maple syrup.
    🧁 Cupcake Style – Bake as cupcakes (20–22 mins) and top with piped frosting + pecan halves.
    🍌 Banana Butter Pecan Cake – Mash 2 bananas into the batter for added moisture.
    ❓ 10 FAQs
    1. Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour?
    Yes, but the texture will be slightly denser. Use 2 3/4 cups all-purpose + 1/4 cup cornstarch.
    2. Can I skip the cream cheese in the frosting?
    Yes — you can use all butter for a classic American buttercream, but it will be sweeter.
    3. Can I make this cake nut-free?
    Technically yes, but pecans are essential for butter pecan flavor. Sub chopped toffee bits or toasted coconut if needed.
    4. What makes this cake “Southern”?
    The rich use of butter, toasted nuts, brown sugar, and buttermilk — hallmarks of Southern desserts.
    5. Is buttermilk necessary?
    Yes — it creates tenderness and reacts with baking soda for a fluffier crumb. You can make a substitute with milk + vinegar or lemon juice.
    6. What’s the best way to toast pecans?
    Bake at 350°F for 7–9 minutes on a dry sheet pan, stirring once.
    7. Can I make this a layer cake or sheet cake?
    Both! Use three 8-inch pans for layers or a 9x13 pan for a sheet cake (increase baking time to ~35 mins).
    8. Can I use salted butter?
    Yes, but reduce added salt in the recipe to avoid over-seasoning.
    9. How do I avoid dense cake layers?
    Don’t overmix once the flour is added, and make sure your leaveners are fresh.
    10. Can I decorate with more than pecans?
    Absolutely — try caramel drizzle, edible flowers, or even mini cookies for flair.
    🏁 Conclusion
    This Butter Pecan Cake is the kind of dessert that brings people together. With a rich, moist crumb filled with toasted pecans and crowned in luscious cream cheese frosting, it’s both cozy and impressive. Whether you’re sharing it during the holidays, serving it for a special occasion, or baking it just because, it’s bound to become a family favorite.
    No fancy tricks, just honest ingredients and time-tested flavor that tastes like home.