Description
Craving a rich, buttery dessert that feels like a warm hug in cake form? This Buttery Pecan Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting is exactly what your tastebuds need. With nutty toasted pecans and a moist, buttery crumb, every bite is full of cozy, decadent flavor. Topped with a creamy, caramel-like brown sugar frosting, this cake is perfect for any occasion — from quick breakfast treats to indulgent dinner ideas. It’s the kind of easy recipe that impresses without stress — great for holiday tables, potlucks, or weekend baking. If you’re always on the hunt for delicious food ideas and baking inspiration, this one’s a keeper!
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1⁄2 cups toasted pecans chopped
1⁄2 cup butter for frosting
1 cup brown sugar for frosting
1⁄4 cup milk or heavy cream
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract for frosting
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Toast chopped pecans for 5–7 minutes until fragrant. Let cool.
2. Cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy (3–4 minutes).
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Mix in vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk into the butter mixture. Start and end with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6. Fold in toasted pecans evenly.
7. Divide batter into two greased 9-inch cake pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
8. For frosting, melt butter and brown sugar in a saucepan. Simmer 2–3 minutes, stir in milk. Let cool slightly.
9. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beat until smooth and spreadable.
10. Frost cooled cakes. Stack layers, then frost sides and top. Garnish with extra pecans if desired.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth, even batter.
Don’t skip toasting the pecans — it deepens their flavor.
Let cakes cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the layers.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: buttery pecan cake, brown sugar frosting, holiday dessert, easy cake recipe, potluck dessert