Butter Pecan Cake: A Southern Classic Worth Every Crumb

Let me tell you something—if you’ve never had a real Southern butter pecan cake, you’re missing out on one of life’s finest pleasures. It’s like a cozy hug wrapped in layers of nutty, buttery goodness. Think rich brown butter, toasted pecans, and a moist crumb that practically melts on your tongue. This isn’t just a dessert—it’s the kind of cake you bring out to impress Grandma or wow your coworkers during the holidays.

And the best part? You can make this moist butter pecan cake recipe completely from scratch. No box mix, no shortcuts. Just that old-fashioned butter pecan cake flavor done right.

Featured Recipe: Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

Want to take your pecan dessert recipes to the next level? Check out this Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake—it’s soaked with a praline sauce that seeps into every bite. Bonus: it’s an easy butter pecan cake from scratch that’ll steal the spotlight at any potluck.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 1 cup unsalted butter
  
• 3 cups cake flour
  
• 1 cup granulated sugar
  
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  
• 1 tsp baking powder
  
• ½ tsp baking soda
  
• 1 tsp salt
  
• 1½ cups buttermilk (room temp)
  
• 2 large eggs (room temp)
  
• 1½ tsp vanilla extract
  
• 1½ cups finely chopped pecans

For the Frosting

• 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened
  
• 6 oz cream cheese, softened
  
• ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
  
• 1½ tsp vanilla extract
  
• ¼ tsp salt
  
• 4½ cups powdered sugar
  
• 1 tbsp heavy cream
  
• ⅓ cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

How to Make Butter Pecan Cake (Step-by-Step Instructions)

1. Brown the Butter (Don’t Skip This Step)

This is key. Browned butter gives the cake its signature “oh wow” flavor.

• Throw your butter in a saucepan and melt over medium heat.
  
• Keep stirring. When you see golden brown bits and smell that nutty aroma—pull it off the heat.
  
• Pour it into a heat-safe bowl and let it cool. You want it liquid but not hot.

2. Prep and Dry Mix

Let’s get set up and mix the base.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  
• Grease and flour three 8-inch round pans. Don’t skimp—cake sticking is a rookie mistake.
  
• In a large bowl, whisk together cake flour, granulated and brown sugars, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Combine Butter and Wet Ingredients

Bring everything together like a pro.

• Pour your cooled brown butter into the dry mix. Stir until the texture is sandy and crumbly.
  
• In a separate bowl, mix buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla.
  
• Slowly add the wet mix to your dry ingredients, stirring gently. No overmixing—this isn’t a workout.
  
• Fold in the chopped pecans. Aim for even distribution, not pecan clumps.
  

4. Bake to Golden Perfection

Time for some oven magic.

• Divide the batter evenly between the pans.
  
• Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the top springs back and a toothpick comes out clean.
  
• Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then flip onto wire racks and cool completely.

5. Frost and Assemble Like a Boss

Let’s finish strong.

• Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth—no lumps.
  
• Add brown sugar, vanilla, and salt, then slowly beat in powdered sugar.
  
• Splash in the cream and whip until fluffy. For texture, fold in extra pecans (optional).
  
• Stack and frost your layers. Smooth out the sides and top. Sprinkle more pecans if you’re feeling extra.

Notes (Pro Tips from the Kitchen)

• Brown Butter Right: Stir constantly, use medium heat, and don’t walk away. Brown specks = flavor gold.
  
• Room Temp Ingredients: Cold eggs and buttermilk = curdled batter. Let ‘em sit out.
  
• Pecan Prep: Chop them fine. Big chunks can mess with your cake structure.

FAQs

Butter Pecan Cake: A Southern Classic Worth Every Crumb

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• Author: Emilio
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

A Southern classic layered with rich brown butter, toasted pecans, and a melt-in-your-mouth crumb. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or impressing Grandma.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 3 cups cake flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1½ cups buttermilk (room temp)
• 2 large eggs (room temp)
• 1½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ cups finely chopped pecans
• 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 6 oz cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar (for frosting)
• 1½ tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
• ¼ tsp salt (for frosting)
• 4½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp heavy cream
• ⅓ cup finely chopped pecans (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir until golden brown bits form and it smells nutty. Remove from heat and cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 8-inch round pans.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together cake flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Stir in the cooled brown butter until mixture is sandy and crumbly.
5. In another bowl, mix buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla.
6. Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry mix, stirring gently until just combined. Fold in pecans evenly.
7. Divide batter among pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
9. To make frosting, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add brown sugar, vanilla, salt, then slowly add powdered sugar.
10. Add heavy cream and beat until fluffy. Fold in pecans if desired.
11. Assemble the cake by stacking layers with frosting between. Frost the top and sides. Garnish with chopped pecans.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best texture. Stir brown butter constantly to avoid burning. Chop pecans finely to prevent cake structure issues.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 670
• Sugar: 48g
• Sodium: 310mg
• Fat: 38g
• Saturated Fat: 19g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 78g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: butter pecan cake, Southern dessert, holiday cake, layer cake

Suggested Recipes

If you’re loving this butter pecan layer cake, here are a few more indulgent treats to try next:

• Try a seasonal fall cake like pumpkin crunch cake for cozy vibes and warm spice notes. Perfect Pumpkin Crunch Cake Recipe
  
• Love traditional bakes? Don’t miss another classic spiced cake like carrot cake—moist, flavorful, and always a crowd favorite. Best Carrot Cake Recipe
  
• If you’re craving more fruit-forward sweets, you’ll enjoy fruit-filled desserts like strawberry cinnamon rolls. Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls

Conclusion

There you have it: a butter pecan layer cake that’s nutty, rich, and just the right amount of indulgent. Whether you’re baking it for the holidays or just because it’s Tuesday, this cake delivers all the flavor and charm of a true Southern dessert.

Want to show off? Bring this to your next potluck. Want to treat yourself? Slice it thick and eat it with coffee. This is the kind of cake you make when you want people to remember dessert.

Go on, bake the thing—and let it become your signature move. And if you’re hungry for more inspiration, check out Emilio Recipes on Pinterest for more drool-worthy desserts and holiday cake ideas.