The Perfect Butter Pecan Delight Cake Recipe for Sweet Celebrations

Butter pecan delight cake tantalizes taste buds with its rich, nutty essence.

Sweet southern charm whispers through each decadent slice.

Imagine a dessert that seamlessly blends comforting warmth with indulgent complexity.

Soft, moist layers promise a symphony of textures and flavors.

Toasted pecans dance across creamy surfaces, creating irresistible contrasts.

Delicate crumbs melt effortlessly, revealing deep caramel undertones.

Nostalgic yet sophisticated, this confection speaks to classic dessert lovers seeking something extraordinary.

Let this cake become your next culinary adventure.

Butter Pecan Cake That Feels Like Home

• This butter pecan cake offers a symphony of rich flavors with its moist cake base, gooey caramel, creamy condensed milk, and crunchy praline topping that creates an irresistible dessert experience.
• The simple method of poking holes and pouring toppings makes this recipe incredibly forgiving for bakers of all skill levels, guaranteeing a delicious result every single time.
• With boxed cake mix and minimal preparation steps, this cake comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for spontaneous gatherings, potlucks, or weekend family treats.
• Each bite delivers a delightful contrast between the soft cake, silky caramel, creamy milk, and crunchy pecan praline topping, creating a multi-dimensional dessert that keeps taste buds excited.

Butter Pecan Cake Ingredient Rundown

• Butter Pecan Cake Mix: Foundational mix with nutty flavor and easy preparation, check for freshness and no clumping.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps with cake texture, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk, Caramel Ice Cream Topping: Provide sweet, gooey layers that enhance moisture and flavor, choose high-quality brands for best results.

• Butter, Brown Sugar, Heavy Cream: Create a rich, caramel-like sauce base with deep flavor and smooth consistency, use fresh dairy products.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the praline topping, pure extract recommended.
• Pecans: Provide crunch and traditional Southern nutty character, choose fresh, whole pecans and chop just before use.

Bake a Perfect Butter Pecan Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat the oven according to the cake mix package instructions. This ensures your cake bakes perfectly every time.

Step 2: Mix and Prepare the Cake

• Cake mix
• Eggs
• Water
• Vegetable oil

Follow the package directions carefully and pour the batter into a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Step 3: Create Delicious Holes

Once the cake is fully baked and still warm, grab a wooden spoon handle. Gently poke holes all across the cake’s surface, creating little channels for extra flavor.

Step 4: Drench with Sweet Goodness

Slowly pour sweetened condensed milk over the warm cake, allowing it to seep into every hole. Watch as the cake becomes wonderfully moist.

Step 5: Caramel Magic

Drizzle caramel ice cream topping generously over the cake, ensuring it fills those delightful holes you created.

Step 6: Craft the Praline Topping

• Brown sugar
• Heavy cream

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil and cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Step 7: Finish the Praline Mixture

• Vanilla extract
• Chopped pecans

Mix until everything is perfectly combined.

Step 8: Top and Spread

Pour the praline mixture evenly over the cake. Use a spatula to spread it smoothly across the entire surface.

Step 9: Let It Rest

Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature. This helps the toppings set and the flavors meld together.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Slice the cake and serve.

Little Tricks for Buttery, Nutty Success

• Master Hole Technique: Poke holes carefully and evenly across the cake's surface to maximize caramel and condensed milk absorption.
• Control Liquid Saturation: Pour sweetened condensed milk and caramel slowly to prevent cake from becoming overly soggy or waterlogged.
• Perfect Praline Precision: Watch the saucepan mixture closely while boiling to achieve the ideal thickened consistency without burning.
• Temperature Timing: Let the cake cool completely at room temperature to help toppings set properly and enhance flavor melding.
• Pecan Placement: Chop pecans uniformly to ensure consistent texture and flavor distribution throughout the praline topping.

Keeping Butter Pecan Cake Moist and Tasty

• Refrigerate: Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the cake in an airtight container to maintain its moisture and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Freeze: Place individual slices or the entire cake in a freezer-safe container. Seal with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Frozen cake can be stored for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Thaw refrigerated or frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight. Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Enjoy the cake at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

What Goes Great With This Cake

• Brew Rich Coffee Companions: Pair this decadent butter pecan cake with a robust dark roast coffee or a smooth caramel macchiato to complement the cake's sweet, nutty flavor profile.
• Creamy Beverage Bliss: Serve alongside cold milk, vanilla bean milkshake, or butterscotch-infused cream to enhance the cake's rich, buttery undertones and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Nutty Wine Elegance: Select a sweet dessert wine like tawny port or moscato, which beautifully mirrors the pecan's warm, toasted notes and balances the cake's intense sweetness.
• Scoop Up Ice Cream Magic: Top the cake with vanilla bean or butter pecan ice cream to amplify the dessert's nutty, caramel-kissed essence and create a luxurious textural experience.

Try These Butter Pecan Cake Ideas

• Chocolate Pecan Dream: Transform the original recipe by substituting caramel with rich chocolate sauce and adding dark chocolate chips to the praline topping for intense chocolate lovers.
• Southern Whiskey Splash: Enhance the praline topping by incorporating a tablespoon of bourbon or rum, giving the cake a sophisticated adult flavor profile.
• Maple Nutty Fusion: Replace caramel sauce with pure maple syrup and sprinkle toasted maple-glazed pecans on top for a rustic, woodland-inspired dessert experience.
• Cream Cheese Decadence: Mix cream cheese into the sweetened condensed milk layer and garnish with additional crushed pecans for extra creamy texture and nutty crunch.

FAQs for Butter Pecan Cake Fans

• What makes this Butter Pecan Delight Cake special?

This cake is a delicious twist on traditional cake, featuring a butter pecan base, sweetened condensed milk soak, caramel drizzle, and a rich praline topping that creates incredible layers of flavor and texture.

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake this cake a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before serving. The flavors actually improve as the cake sits.

• How do I know when the praline topping is ready?

The praline mixture is ready when it comes to a boil and thickens slightly, which takes about 2-3 minutes. It should look smooth and have a slightly glossy appearance.

• What if I don't have pecans?

If you’re not a fan of pecans or have a nut allergy, you can skip them or substitute with another nut like walnuts. The cake will still be delicious, though the traditional pecan flavor will be slightly different.

Butter Pecan Delight Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent butter pecan delight cake dances with Southern charm, blending rich nutty flavors and silky smooth textures. Warm pecans and creamy butter create a luxurious dessert that invites you to savor each delectable slice.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 1 box butter pecan cake mix
• Ingredients required for cake mix preparation (as specified on box)

Main Toppings and Filling:

• 1 can (14 ounces / 396 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 jar (12 ounces / 340 grams) caramel ice cream topping
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Sauce and Flavoring Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams) butter
• 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven according to the cake mix package instructions and prepare the butter pecan cake mix in a 9×13 inch baking dish as directed.
2. After baking, while the cake remains warm, puncture multiple holes throughout the surface using a wooden spoon handle.
3. Gently cascade sweetened condensed milk across the cake, allowing it to penetrate the created holes thoroughly.
4. Generously drizzle caramel ice cream topping over the cake, ensuring complete coverage and absorption into the preexisting holes.
5. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over moderate heat, then incorporate brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring consistently.
6. Elevate the mixture to a rolling boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the consistency transforms into a slightly thickened sauce.
7. Remove the saucepan from heat and fold in vanilla extract and finely chopped pecans, creating a rich, glossy praline mixture.
8. Methodically pour the praline topping across the cake’s surface, using a spatula to distribute evenly and create a uniform layer.
9. Allow the cake to rest and cool completely at room temperature, permitting the toppings to solidify and meld together before serving.

Notes

• Cake Mix Magic: Use a butter pecan cake mix for an instant flavor boost and simplified baking process.
• Hole-Punching Technique: Create deep, evenly spaced holes to maximize the absorption of sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping.
• Moisture Matters: Pouring toppings while the cake is warm helps ingredients penetrate deeply, creating a rich, decadent dessert.
• Praline Perfection: Watch the caramel sauce carefully during cooking to achieve the ideal thickness without burning.
• Pecan Power: Toasting pecans before adding to the praline topping can enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch.
• Cooling Crucial: Letting the cake cool completely allows toppings to set and flavors to meld, ensuring the best taste and texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg