Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake Recipe
If you’re looking for a show-stopper dessert that’s as rich as it is soul-satisfying, look no further than this Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake. With layers of buttery pecan-studded cake, a creamy tangy swirl, and a pour of homemade golden caramel, it somehow manages to be cozy and extravagant at the same time. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to indulge, the combination of cake, cream cheese, and candied pecans is pure magic—one bite and you’ll want to make it a family tradition!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake is a breeze, which is part of why I adore this recipe. Every element, from toasted pecans to tangy cream cheese, brings a little something special to the table—together, they create a dessert so irresistible you’ll be making it on repeat.
- Salted butter: Used for toasting pecans and in the batter, it creates a rich, nutty base with tons of flavor depth.
- Chopped pecans: Toasted for maximum crunch and that unmistakable warm, buttery aroma.
- Unsalted butter: For browning, which offers a lovely, toasty undertone to the cake.
- Cream cheese: Key for the gooey, luscious topping that sets this cake apart from the average dessert.
- Eggs (whole and yolk): Help create a rich, tender crumb and add silkiness to both cake and topping.
- Icing sugar: Blends perfectly into the topping, no grittiness—just dreamy sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cake, giving it just the right structure and bite.
- Baking powder & baking soda: A dynamic duo to make the cake rise and achieve the perfect texture.
- Salt: Balances all the sweet flavors and brings out the buttery notes.
- Granulated sugar: Used in both the cake and caramel for just the right sweetness and glossy finish.
- Browned butter: Adds an extra layer of flavor that makes every bite a little more special.
- Vanilla essence: Marries everything together with cozy warmth; don’t skimp here!
- Bourbon (optional): Just a hint, but it brings a subtle, grown-up complexity.
- Buttermilk: Gives the cake a delightful tang and an incredibly tender crumb.
- Heavy cream: For the caramel sauce—trust me, it’s worth every drop.
How to Make Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake
Step 1: Toast the Pecans and Brown the Butter
Kick things off by melting salted butter in a saucepan, then toss in your chopped pecans and stir until they’re golden and fragrant. This quick toasting step unlocks amazing depth, making each pecan a little flavor bomb. Next, move on to browning your unsalted butter—this is where magic happens! Let it simmer until foamy and nutty, then chill just until it’s firm but spreadable. Reserve some pecans for the grand finale topping.
Step 2: Make the Gooey Cream Cheese Topping
In your largest mixing bowl, whip up the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add in eggs for silkiness, then gradually fold in icing sugar until you get a thick, luscious layer. This step creates that signature gooey swirl and tangy sweetness that balances the toasted pecans perfectly—don’t rush, smoothness is the goal here!
Step 3: Prepare the Cake Batter
Start with preheating your oven to 350°F and prepping your trusty springform pan—greasing and lining it helps the cake release flawlessly. Sift all the dry ingredients together for an even crumb. In another bowl, cream together sugar and that flavorful browned butter until the mixture is fluffy and pale. Add your eggs, vanilla, and a splash of bourbon if you like a bit of a kick. Then, alternate adding flour and buttermilk to create a silky, scoopable batter that smells positively dreamy.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Cake
Give your mixing spatula a quick rinse, then pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle in most of your toasted pecans (save a few for later!) and gently swirl that gooey cream cheese mixture over the batter—an offset spatula is your secret weapon for picture-perfect swirls. Bake until the center has a soft jiggle and the edges are golden. Cooling completely is key here: let the cake finish setting and the flavors mingle before refrigeration.
Step 5: Make the Caramel Sauce
As the cake cools, prepare the caramel. Melt sugar in a saucepan, swirling every so often to ensure even coloring. Watch for a change to golden amber, then add butter and cream—it’ll bubble fiercely, so be careful! Once smooth, add a bit of salt and vanilla, then let it cool. This salted caramel is the crowning glory and worth every step.
Step 6: Finish and Serve the Cake
When the cake is chilled, unlock your springform and place it on a serving plate. Pour your glossy, cooled caramel sauce over the top, letting it drip a little down the sides for drama. Sprinkle over the remaining pecans for delicious crunch. Letting the cake warm up to room temperature before slicing ensures maximum gooeyness and that perfect creamy bite every time!
How to Serve Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake
Garnishes
The beauty of Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake is how easily you can dress it up. A simple dusting of icing sugar can give it a pretty snow-kissed look, but a handful of extra toasted pecans or a little flick of flaky sea salt on top of the caramel amplifies all the flavors and textures. If you’re feeling decadent, a drizzle of extra caramel sauce just before serving is always a hit!
Side Dishes
This cake is pretty spectacular all on its own, but a small scoop of vanilla or butter pecan ice cream alongside is pure luxury. If you’re serving it after dinner, a robust cup of coffee or espresso plays beautifully with the buttery, nutty flavors. For a more festive touch, offer some fresh berries to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the cake into generous wedges and plating each with a swirl of caramel and a few candied pecan halves for a restaurant-worthy dessert. If you’re entertaining, smaller squares served in cupcake liners make for brilliant finger food. For a holiday touch, stack slices into a tiered presentation topped with sparkling sugar and fresh rosemary for an edible centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake keeps beautifully in the fridge. Store slices in an airtight container, where they’ll stay moist, gooey, and delicious for up to 5 days. The flavors deepen over time, making those sneaky fridge nibbles even better the next day.
Freezing
Believe it or not, this cake freezes exceptionally well! Wrap cooled slices tightly in plastic wrap and slip them into a freezer bag. When you’re ready for another slice, just thaw overnight in the fridge. The texture may get even softer—think extra gooey in the best possible way.
Reheating
For that fresh-from-the-oven feel, pop a slice in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. If you want to keep the caramel luscious but not too runny, let the cake sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. Avoid reheating the whole cake in the oven, as it can dry out the gooey cream cheese layer.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of homemade?
Absolutely! While homemade caramel takes things up a notch, a good-quality store-bought version will still taste wonderful and make assembly even quicker.
What’s the best way to toast the pecans?
I like to toast them in butter on the stovetop for deeper flavor, but you can also spread them on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F for about 7 minutes, just until fragrant.
Can I skip the bourbon?
Yes! The bourbon simply adds a subtle adult twist, but you can leave it out and still enjoy a fully-flavored Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake.
Is there a gluten-free option?
Swap a reliable 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the regular all-purpose flour and check that all other ingredients are gluten-free; it should work beautifully, though texture may vary slightly.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
The edges should be golden, while the center retains a gentle jiggle—a toothpick inserted at the edge should come out clean, but the very center will set as it cools for that signature gooey-ness.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you and your loved ones to enjoy this Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake. Every slice is brimming with love, nostalgia, and a little touch of indulgence. Give it a try and let it become the centerpiece of your next celebration—you’ll be coming back to this recipe again and again!
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Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 1 9-inch cake 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich, gooey goodness of this Butter Pecan Cake that combines toasted pecans, a decadent cream cheese topping, and a luscious caramel sauce. A perfect treat for any occasion!
Ingredients
Toasted Pecans and Brown Butter:
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
Gooey Cream Cheese Topping:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 whole egg, softened
- 1 egg yolk, softened
- 2 1/2 cups icing sugar
Cake Batter:
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- Browned butter from earlier step
- 1 whole egg, softened
- 1 egg yolk, softened
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla essence
- 1 tablespoon optional bourbon
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, softened
Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons salted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare Toasted Pecans and Brown Butter: Start by melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and add in the chopped pecans. Toast the pecans until fragrant, then cool. Brown butter in a pot until nutty and brown; refrigerate.
- Make the Gooey Cream Cheese Topping: Beat cream cheese until smooth, then mix in eggs and powdered sugar until combined.
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat oven, grease pan, mix dry ingredients, cream sugar and butter, add eggs, vanilla, bourbon, flour, and buttermilk.
- Assemble and Bake the Cake: Pour batter, sprinkle pecans, spread cream cheese mixture, bake until golden.
- Make the Caramel Sauce: Melt sugar until golden, add butter, cream, salt, and vanilla; simmer and cool.
- Finish and Serve the Cake: Remove cake, pour caramel sauce, sprinkle pecans, and serve at room temperature.
Notes
- You can refrigerate the cake for up to 3 days.
- Adjust the sweetness of the caramel sauce to your preference.
- Feel free to add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for a salted caramel twist.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Butter Pecan Cake, Gooey Cake, Caramel Sauce, Dessert Recipe
