Description
A rich and buttery cake with a delightful crunch of pecans, perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
- 3 cups (333g) cake flour
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups (354ml) buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1½ cups (160g) pecan halves, very finely chopped
- For the frosting: 1½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup (66g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4½ cups (562g) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- ⅓ cup (35g) pecan halves, very finely chopped, optional
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: Melt the butter over medium-low heat, then increase the heat until golden brown and nutty.
- Preheat the Oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease three 8-inch round baking pans.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together cake flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine: Add browned butter to dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla, then add to dry ingredients.
- Add Pecans: Fold in the finely chopped pecans.
- Bake: Divide batter among pans and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans.
- Make the Frosting: Beat together softened butter, cream cheese, light brown sugar, vanilla, and salt, then gradually add powdered sugar and heavy cream until fluffy.
- Assemble: Level cake layers if needed, stack with frosting, and frost the outside. Decorate with additional pecans.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for the best texture. Store in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 50mg