Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake Recipe
If you’re craving the irresistible combination of nutty crunch, gooey richness, and an ultra-moist crumb in one unforgettable treat, look no further than Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake. This cake is a true showstopper: toasted pecans mingle with creamy, buttery layers and a swoon-worthy homemade caramel, turning every slice into pure decadence. Whether you’re planning a holiday dessert or just want a little everyday magic, this cake delivers everything you love about Southern baking in each delightful bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake comes from a handful of everyday pantry staples elevated by just a touch of finesse. Each ingredient adds its own personality, whether it’s deep, brown-butter flavor, luscious creaminess, or the nutty toast of pecans. Here’s what you need—and why each one matters:
- Salted butter: Adds richness and a subtle savory note that balances the sweetness throughout the cake and sauce.
- Chopped pecans: Star of the show! Toasted for a heartwarming crunch and their signature buttery flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Lets you control the salt content in the gooey cream cheese topping—so flavors stay perfectly balanced.
- Cream cheese: Softened, it creates that dreamy, tangy filling that practically melts over the cake base.
- Eggs and egg yolks: Provide essential structure and add that lovely, custardy texture to both the batter and topping.
- Icing sugar: Gives the cream cheese layer its smooth, airy sweetness without any grittiness.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cake, creating just the right amount of structure while keeping it soft.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These help the cake rise beautifully so every bite is light, not dense.
- Salt: Accentuates all the other flavors and keeps things from getting cloyingly sweet.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and aids in creating the plush cake crumb as well as the caramel topping.
- Browned butter: Brings that irresistibly nutty, toffee-like kick—don’t skip this magic step!
- Vanilla essence: Rounds out the flavors and brings a warm aroma to your kitchen.
- Bourbon (optional): For a grown-up boost and warmth in the batter—entirely optional but so good!
- Buttermilk: Makes the cake impossibly moist and enhances tenderness.
- Heavy cream: Essential for a dreamy, pourable caramel that’s rich and smooth.
- Sea salt: Cuts the caramel’s sweetness perfectly and makes every bite a little more interesting.
How to Make Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake
Step 1: Toast the Pecans and Brown Some Butter
Start your Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake adventure by melting salted butter in a small saucepan. Tumble in the chopped pecans and let them toast over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, just until they’re fragrant and a little golden. Immediately scoop them out and let them cool—you don’t want them to go from toasty to burned! Reserve a quarter cup for garnishing later. Then, turn your attention to browning a fresh batch of butter: gently melt and simmer until the foam subsides and the butter takes on a gorgeous amber hue, smelling toasty and nutty. Set it aside to cool and slightly solidify in the fridge; this detail makes a huge difference in the final cake flavor.
Step 2: Whip Up the Gooey Cream Cheese Topping
In a large mixing bowl, whip the softened cream cheese until it’s unbelievably smooth—no lumps allowed! Beat in the egg and that little extra yolk for extra silkiness. Gradually sift in the icing sugar, blending on low, then medium, until the mixture is glossy and while-you-wait decadent. Your topping is ready and waiting for its moment to shine later.
Step 3: Prepare the Cake Batter
Now it’s time to build the cake itself. Preheat your oven to 350°F and prep a 9-inch springform pan with butter and a snuggly round of parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a stand mixer, blend the granulated sugar with your gorgeous browned butter until supremely fluffy, about two minutes. Add eggs, vanilla, and a dash of bourbon if that’s your speed; beat until the mixture turns pale and creamy. Finally, alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk, blending slowly to a smooth batter that smells like heaven in a bowl.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing it out. Generously sprinkle the toasted pecans across the batter, saving that precious reserved quarter cup for the final flourish. Next, dollop and gently spread your cream cheese topping until everything’s swirled together in a thick, luscious layer. Bake for 40–45 minutes—your kitchen will smell absolutely divine! The edges should be just golden, while the center should still jiggle a little when done. Let the cake cool for 45 minutes, then pop it in the fridge for at least two hours to finish setting up.
Step 5: Prepare the Homemade Caramel Sauce
While the cake is chilling, it’s caramel time! Add granulated sugar to a large pan over gentle heat. Watch carefully as it melts into liquid gold—stir just enough to get any clumps out, then let it turn deep amber. Drop in the softened butter and stir furiously, followed immediately by heavy cream; the mixture will bubble enthusiastically. If it tries to separate, just turn the heat up a bit and keep whisking. Finish with a touch of sea salt and a splash of vanilla, then let the sauce cool until it’s thickened but still pourable.
Step 6: Finish and Serve Your Showstopper
Once the Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake is fully chilled and set, gently release it from the springform pan and transfer to your fanciest serving platter. Drape the entire top with that silky caramel sauce—trust me, no crumb should be left behind! Sprinkle the cake with your saved toasted pecans for restaurant-worthy presentation. Slice and savor at room temperature, letting every bite melt in your mouth.
How to Serve Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake
Garnishes
For peak Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake enjoyment, scatter that reserved quarter cup of toasted pecans right before serving—they add a lovely crunch and catch just enough caramel to tempt everyone for a second slice. If you’re feeling extra festive, a dusting of icing sugar or a dollop of freshly whipped cream is never out of place. A few edible flowers make for an elegant touch when you want to impress.
Side Dishes
Because the cake is so rich and luscious, it’s perfect paired with something light and bright on the side. Try serving it with a bowl of fresh berries or even a tangy fruit compote to cut through all that caramel goodness. For something cozy, offer strong hot coffee or an espresso—the bitterness balances the sweetness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Go for the wow factor by slicing the cake into neat wedges and arranging them on a large platter drizzled with extra caramel. Or, for an individual treat, cut the cake into squares and serve them in cupcake wrappers, each topped with a caramelized pecan. If you want to make Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake truly memorable for a dinner party, a swoosh of whipped mascarpone next to each slice is guaranteed to delight.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake will keep you happy all week long! Wrap any extra slices tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. The flavors deepen and meld with a little time, so some say the cake is even better the next day.
Freezing
If you want to get a jump on dessert, you can absolutely freeze this cake (sans caramel). Slice and layer parchment between pieces, seal tightly in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then add caramel and fresh nuts just before serving for the best texture and freshness.
Reheating
When ready to enjoy, bring the cake back up to room temperature for the creamiest consistency. If you like it slightly warm, give individual slices a brief (10-15 seconds) zap in the microwave—just remember the caramel might melt and seep into the cake, which is its own kind of delicious!
FAQs
Can I use pecan halves instead of chopped pecans?
Yes! Chopped pecans will be distributed more evenly throughout, but pecan halves work wonderfully for a fancier look and extra crunch, especially as a garnish on top of the Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake.
Is there a non-alcoholic substitute for bourbon?
Absolutely. Feel free to omit bourbon altogether, or replace it with a touch more vanilla essence for warmth. The cake tastes just as fabulous either way.
Can I make the caramel sauce ahead of time?
Definitely! You can make the caramel sauce up to a week in advance. Store it in a sealed container in the fridge and bring it to room temperature (or gently rewarm) before pouring it over your Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake.
What if I don’t have a springform pan?
No worries—just use a deep 9-inch round cake pan lined with parchment. You might not get quite the same pristine edges, but the cake will still taste absolutely perfect.
Does this cake need to be refrigerated?
Because of the cream cheese and rich caramel, yes, this cake is best kept chilled until close to serving time. Let it sit out for 30-60 minutes for ideal texture and flavor before digging in!
Final Thoughts
If there ever was a reason to preheat your oven just because, it’s the Delicious Gooey Butter Pecan Cake. This recipe takes a beloved classic and transforms it into pure bakery magic—so don’t hesitate! Whether for a special celebration or a pick-me-up on a regular day, I promise this cake will become one of your all-time favorites. Happy baking!
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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 decadent goodness of Gooey Butter Pecan Cake, a rich and flavorful dessert that combines the nutty crunch of pecans with a creamy, gooey filling on a moist cake base. This recipe is a perfect balance of textures and flavors, sure to impress any dessert lover.
Ingredients
For Toasted Pecans and Brown Butter:
- 2 tablespoons salted butter (28 g)
- 1 1/4 cups chopped pecans (140 g)
For Gooey Cream Cheese Topping:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (112 g)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (226 g)
- 1 whole egg, softened
- 1 egg yolk, softened
- 2 1/2 cups icing sugar (325 g)
For Cake Batter:
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (141 g)
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 g)
- 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 (120 ml)
For Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
- 5 tablespoons salted butter, softened (70 g)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, softened (120 ml)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Step 1: 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 for 3-4 minutes until fragrant, then cool completely. Brown butter in a pot until nutty and browned, then refrigerate.
- Step 2: Make the Gooey Cream Cheese Topping Beat cream cheese until smooth, then mix in eggs and powdered sugar until combined. Set aside.
- Step 3: Prepare the Cake Batter Preheat oven. Cream sugar and browned butter, add eggs, vanilla, bourbon, then mix in dry ingredients and buttermilk.
- Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Cake Pour batter into pan, add pecans, top with cream cheese mixture, and bake. Cool and chill.
- Step 5: Make the Caramel Sauce Melt sugar, add butter, cream, vanilla, and salt. Simmer and cool.
- Step 6: Finish and Serve the Cake Remove cake, top with caramel sauce and pecans. Serve at room temperature.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, consider using toasted pecans.
- Adjust the salt in the caramel sauce to suit your taste preferences.
- Allow the cake to chill for the best texture before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Gooey Butter Pecan Cake, Dessert Recipe, Pecan Cake, Cream Cheese Cake
