Buttery Pecan Upside Down Cake Recipe: Sweet Bliss in Every Bite

Sweet and nutty pecan upside down cake delivers a delightful dessert experience that surprises with every bite.

Southern bakers have perfected this classic treat for generations.

Caramelized pecans create a gorgeous golden topping that transforms a simple cake into something extraordinary.

Rich brown sugar melds with buttery nuts, creating a luscious glaze that seeps into soft cake layers.

Each slice promises a decadent balance of tender crumb and crunchy pecan goodness.

The aroma of toasted nuts and warm spices will draw everyone to the kitchen.

Dive into this irresistible dessert that celebrates comfort and indulgence in every delectable forkful.

Baking Tips For Pecan Upside Down Cake

• Caramel Care: Ensure the caramel mixture is evenly spread before adding pecans to create a uniform, glossy topping that will beautifully coat the cake when inverted.
• Buttermilk Brilliance: For a tangy twist, substitute buttermilk with Greek yogurt or sour cream if you're out of buttermilk. These alternatives maintain moisture and add rich flavor to the cake.
• Nutty Alternatives: Swap pecans with walnuts, almonds, or a mixed nut blend for different flavor profiles. Toasting the nuts beforehand intensifies their natural, deep nuttiness and adds extra crunch.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this cake suitable for those with gluten sensitivities. Add a teaspoon of xanthan gum to help bind the ingredients and maintain the cake's tender texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake a day in advance and store at room temperature, covered. The flavors will meld beautifully, creating an even more delicious dessert that's perfect for gatherings or special occasions.

Serve Pecan Upside Down Cake With A Sweet Touch

• Sweet Sidekick: Serve this decadent pecan upside down cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the warm, caramel-like flavors and add creamy contrast.
• Cozy Companion: Pair the cake with a steaming mug of coffee or chai tea, letting the rich nutty notes complement the dessert's sweet caramel undertones.
• Festive Garnish: Sprinkle some extra toasted pecans or a light dusting of powdered sugar on top to enhance the cake's visual appeal and add a delicate crunch.
• Elegant Touch: Drizzle a thin stream of salted caramel sauce over individual slices to elevate the dessert's depth and create a luxurious presentation.

How To Keep Pecan Upside Down Cake Moist

• Cake Freshness Guardian: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, maintaining its soft texture and delicious caramel flavor.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for extended freshness, lasting up to 5 days.
• Freezing Technique: Carefully wrap the entire cake or individual slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month, ensuring maximum flavor retention when thawed at room temperature.
• Flavor Revival Tip: Gently warm refrigerated or thawed cake slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore the original moist texture and enhance the pecan caramel notes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 490 kcal

Servings: 7

What You’ll Need For Pecan Upside Down Cake

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a luscious caramel base that coats the pecans with golden, glossy goodness.
• Brown Sugar: Brings deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps form the sticky caramel layer that makes this cake irresistible.
• Corn Syrup or Honey: Provides smooth texture and prevents sugar crystallization, ensuring a silky caramel coating.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the topping.
• Pecans: Adds crunch, nutty depth, and a signature southern touch to the cake's bottom layer.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the cake's structure and ensures a tender, soft crumb.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and provides a light, airy texture.
• Baking Soda: Assists in browning and helps neutralize the acidic buttermilk.
• Salt: Amplifies the cake's flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Butter: Contributes richness, moisture, and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a moist, tender cake.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients, add structure, and contribute to the cake's richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor that complements the pecans.
• Buttermilk: Brings tanginess, moisture, and helps activate the baking soda for better rise.

• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy cake removal and prevents sticking to the pan.

Tools To Bake Pecan Upside Down Cake

• 9-inch round cake pan: Essential for creating the perfect upside-down cake shape.
• Parchment paper: Helps prevent sticking and ensures easy cake removal.
• Electric mixer: Crucial for beating butter and sugar to light, fluffy perfection.
• Mixing bowls (medium and large): Necessary for preparing dry and wet ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients smoothly.
• Spatula: Helps spread batter evenly and scrape down bowl sides.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Knife: Needed to loosen cake edges before inverting.
• Serving plate or cake stand: For presenting and serving the finished cake.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.

How To Make Pecan Upside Down Cake Easily

• Caramel Pecan Foundation

Melt butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a small saucepan until silky smooth. Pour this golden mixture into a cake pan, creating a luscious base. Sprinkle chopped pecans across the caramel landscape, ensuring an even coverage that will become a stunning topping when the cake is flipped.

• Cake Batter Magic

Blend softened butter with sugars until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud. Crack eggs into the mixture one by one, stirring in vanilla for extra warmth. Gently fold flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt into the creamy mixture, alternating with buttermilk to create a silky smooth batter that promises tenderness.

• Baking Transformation

Pour the velvety batter over the pecan caramel foundation, spreading it carefully to create an even canvas. Slide the pan into a preheated oven and bake until the cake turns a beautiful golden brown and a toothpick emerges clean. Let the cake rest briefly, allowing flavors to settle and caramel to set.

• Dramatic Reveal

After a short cooling period, run a knife around the cake’s edges. Place a serving plate over the pan and swiftly flip, allowing gravity to unveil the gorgeous caramelized pecan topping. Gently lift the pan, revealing a stunning dessert that’s sure to impress. Slice and serve while still warm for maximum deliciousness.

Mouthwatering Pecan Upside Down Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Delightful pecan upside down cake delivers Southern charm with caramelized pecans and tender cake layers. Warm spices and rich buttery notes create a memorable dessert perfect for family gatherings and sweet celebrations.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ cups (170 g) pecans, roughly chopped
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (60 ml) light corn syrup (or honey as a substitute)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar, packed
• 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk, at room temperature

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Instructions

1. Caramel Foundation: Whisk melted butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt into a smooth mixture. Spread evenly across a parchment-lined 9-inch cake pan, creating a rich base layer.
2. Pecan Arrangement: Sprinkle chopped pecans generously over the caramel, forming an intricate textural foundation that will become the cake’s stunning top when inverted.
3. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, creating a uniform dry mixture that will provide structure and lightness to the cake.
4. Butter Mixture: Cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs one at a time, then incorporate vanilla extract for depth of flavor.
5. Batter Composition: Gently fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until just combined, preserving the cake’s delicate texture and preventing overmixing.
6. Baking Process: Pour batter carefully over the pecan-caramel base, ensuring even distribution. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Cooling and Inverting: Allow cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then confidently invert onto a serving plate. Remove parchment paper gently, revealing the glossy pecan topping.
8. Serving: Present the cake warm or at room temperature, showcasing the beautiful caramelized pecan surface and inviting guests to savor its rich, decadent flavors.

Notes

• Master Caramel Consistency: Whisk butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt carefully to create a smooth, even caramel that prevents burning or uneven coating.
• Prevent Pecan Sinking: Ensure pecans are evenly scattered and not too finely chopped to maintain texture and prevent them from disappearing into the cake batter.
• Avoid Overmixing Batter: Gently fold dry ingredients and buttermilk to maintain the cake’s delicate, tender crumb and prevent a dense, tough texture.
• Precise Inversion Technique: Let cake rest briefly before inverting to allow caramel to set slightly, ensuring a clean release and beautiful pecan topping presentation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg