Southern kitchens buzz with excitement over this irresistible pecan pie cake recipe that blends classic dessert magic.
Sweet traditions mingle with modern baking creativity in every delectable slice.
Nutty pecans dance through layers of rich, tender cake, promising a decadent experience.
Buttery caramel notes weave through moist crumb, creating depth and complexity.
Each forkful tells a story of comfort and indulgence rarely found in ordinary desserts.
The balance of textures and flavors makes this cake a true showstopper at any gathering.
You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this extraordinary southern-inspired treat.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
Total Time: 40-50 minutes
Calories: 418 kcal
Servings: 13
Ingredients Behind Pecan Pie Cake
For The Base:
All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy foundation that gives structure and softness to your cake, ensuring a tender crumb.
Salt: Enhances and balances the sweet flavors, bringing depth to every bite.
Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake incredibly moist and provides a silky, smooth texture.
For The Sweet Essence:
Brown Sugar: Delivers a rich, caramel-like sweetness with deep molasses undertones that complement the pecans.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor that elevates the entire dessert's complexity.
For The Nutty Crunch:
Pecans: Brings a delightful toasty crunch and earthy richness, creating textural contrast in every slice.
Eggs: Binds ingredients together, adds richness, and helps create a light, airy cake structure.
Powdered Sugar: Optional finishing touch that adds a delicate, sweet dusting and elegant presentation.
Tools to Help with Pecan Pie Cake
Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining cake ingredients thoroughly.
Whisk or electric mixer: Perfect for creating a smooth, foamy mixture.
13×9-inch baking pan: Ideal size for this pecan pie cake recipe.
Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
Spatula or wooden spoon: Helps fold pecans into batter evenly.
Knife: Used for cutting cake into neat squares after baking.
Sifter or fine-mesh strainer: Optional for dusting powdered sugar on top.
How to Bake Pecan Pie Cake the Way
Pecan Pie Cake Journey
Oven Preparation Kitchen warmth starts here. Set the temperature to a cozy 350°F and lightly coat your baking pan with a thin layer of butter or cooking spray. This ensures your cake won't stick and releases beautifully.
Sweet Mixture Magic Gather your eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla extract into a mixing bowl. Whip these ingredients together until they transform into a silky, slightly frothy blend. Use a whisk or electric mixer to create this delightful base.
Oil and Flour Fusion Introduce vegetable oil and a pinch of salt to your mixture. Gently fold in flour, creating a smooth, consistent batter that whispers of homemade goodness.
Pecan Celebration Sprinkle chopped pecans throughout the batter, ensuring each bite carries nutty richness. These little gems will add texture and southern charm to your cake.
Baking Transformation Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Let the oven work its magic for 30-40 minutes. Watch for golden edges and a set center that signals perfect doneness.
Cooling and Serving Allow the cake to rest and cool completely in its pan. Slice into delightful squares and dust with a light snowfall of powdered sugar if desired. Store in an airtight container and enjoy at your leisure.
Pecan Pie Cake Upgrades You’ll Want
Enhance the nutty flavor by lightly toasting pecans in a dry skillet for 3-5 minutes before chopping, which intensifies their natural richness and adds a deeper, more complex taste to the cake.
Replace pecans with walnuts, almonds, or a mixed nut blend for a unique twist that keeps the cake's delicious texture while offering exciting flavor variations.
Drizzle a homemade caramel sauce or maple glaze over the cooled cake squares to add extra moisture and create a decadent Southern-style dessert experience.
Prepare the cake batter a day in advance and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to meld and develop a more intense taste when baked the next day.
Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe accessible for those with dietary restrictions without compromising the cake's delightful texture.
Best Ways to Serve Pecan Pie Cake
Dessert Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a creamy, cool contrast to the warm, nutty cake.
Brunch Companion: Slice into smaller bite-sized pieces and arrange on a platter for a delightful addition to weekend brunch gatherings with friends and family.
Elegant Presentation: Drizzle caramel sauce or warm chocolate ganache over the cake squares for an extra touch of decadence that elevates this simple dessert to a gourmet treat.
Coffee Shop Inspiration: Pair with a rich espresso or cappuccino to complement the sweet pecan flavors and create a delightful afternoon indulgence.
Storing Pecan Pie Cake Made Simple
Cake Care Corner: Quick Tips for Maximum Enjoyment
Freshness Guardian: Keep cake squares in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring each slice maintains its delightful texture and rich pecan flavor.
Chilling Strategy: When refrigerated in an airtight container, the cake remains delicious for 7-10 days, with pecans retaining their satisfying crunch.
Freezing Finesse: Wrap individual cake squares in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. These treats will stay scrumptious for 2-3 months, ready to thaw at a moment's notice.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake a day before serving to let flavors meld and develop a deeper, more complex taste profile that will wow your family and guests.
Scrumptious pecan pie cake blends classic Southern dessert flavors in a delightful layer cake. Nutty pecans and caramel-like filling promise a rich, indulgent experience you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups packed brown sugar
4 large eggs
¾ cup (177 mL) vegetable oil
2 cups chopped pecans
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 scant tsp salt
Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
Preparation: Lavishly coat a 13×9-inch pan with butter or non-stick spray, ensuring complete surface coverage for effortless cake release.
Mixing Base: Whisk eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a spacious bowl until the mixture transforms into a silky, aerated emulsion with a light, frothy texture.
Incorporating Wet Ingredients: Blend vegetable oil and salt into the egg mixture, creating a harmonious liquid foundation with balanced flavor profiles.
Dry Ingredient Integration: Gently fold flour into the liquid base, maintaining a delicate batter consistency and preventing overmixing that could compromise the cake’s texture.
Pecan Distribution: Fold chopped pecans throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution for a consistent nutty crunch in every slice.
Baking Process: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading uniformly, then bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until edges turn golden-brown and the center sets with a gentle firmness.
Cooling and Finishing: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan, then slice into 24 precise squares and optionally dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Storage: Preserve the cake’s moisture and flavor by storing squares in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Butter Pan Thoroughly: Complete surface coverage prevents sticking and ensures easy cake removal.
Whisk Eggs Vigorously: Achieve a light, frothy texture by whisking eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla until fully incorporated and aerated.
Fold Flour Gently: Mix flour delicately to maintain batter’s soft consistency and prevent tough, dense cake texture.
Check Doneness Carefully: Golden-brown edges and set center indicate perfect baking; avoid overbaking to preserve moisture.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.