Ingredients for the Chocolate Pecan Cake
For the Cake Batter
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup hot coffee (or hot water)
- 1 cup chopped pecans
For the Chocolate Pecan Glaze
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup pecan halves
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
This glaze is what gives the cake that glossy, shiny topping with crunchy nuts. It also seeps slightly into the cake, making it ultra-moist and luxurious.
How to Make the Chocolate Pecan Cake
1. Prepare your pan
Grease a 9×9-inch (or 8×8-inch) pan and line it with parchment paper. This helps you lift the cake out easily and keeps the bottom perfect.
2. Mix all dry ingredients
In one large bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- White sugar
- Brown sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
Combining dry ingredients first ensures even distribution and prevents lumps.
3. Add the wet ingredients
Add eggs, oil, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and thick. The batter will be heavier than typical cake batter because this is a fudge-style cake.
4. Pour in the hot coffee
One of the secrets to rich chocolate cake is hot coffee. It dissolves cocoa powder fully, deepens the chocolate flavor, and creates a moist crumb.
The batter will loosen and become silky.
5. Add pecans
Fold in the chopped pecans. They add texture inside the cake and complement the chocolate perfectly.
6. Bake the cake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake at 175°C (350°F) for about 30–35 minutes.
You want the center to be just set—slightly fudgy but not liquid. A toothpick inserted should come out with moist crumbs, not fully clean.
Let the cake cool slightly while you prepare the glaze.
Making the Chocolate Pecan Glaze
This glaze is glossy, smooth, and full of pecans—exactly like the topping in your photo.
1. Heat the cream and butter
In a small saucepan, warm the heavy cream and butter until the mixture is steaming but not boiling.
2. Add the chocolate chips
Remove from heat, add chocolate chips, and stir until completely smooth.
3. Add pecans
Mix in the pecan halves and chopped pecans. Stir to coat them fully in chocolate.
4. Pour over the warm cake
This is the magic step. Pour the glossy chocolate pecan glaze over the still-warm cake so that it seeps slightly into the top layer while still giving you a thick topping.
Let the cake sit for at least 20–30 minutes before slicing.
The finished cake will be moist, rich, and dripping with chocolate—a perfect match for the image you sent.
Tips for a Perfect Chocolate Pecan Fudge Cake
Use both brown and white sugar
Brown sugar gives moisture and a caramel-like depth that works beautifully with pecans.
Hot coffee is essential
You won’t taste coffee, but it boosts the chocolate flavor dramatically.
Don’t over-bake
The cake should stay moist and fudgy. Over-baking will make it dry.
Toast the pecans
Lightly toasting the pecans before adding them enhances their flavor and gives a better crunch.
Pour glaze while cake is warm
This helps the top stay glossy and soft, just like in your picture.
Serving Suggestions
This cake is already rich, but here are ways to elevate it even further:
- Serve with vanilla ice cream
- Add a drizzle of caramel sauce
- Top with whipped cream
- Sprinkle extra toasted pecans
- Add a scoop of chocolate or hazelnut gelato
It’s also amazing the next day, as the flavors deepen and the texture becomes even fudgier.
How to Store the Cake
- Room temperature: up to 2 days
- Refrigerator: up to 1 week (airtight container)
- Freezer: up to 2 months
Warm slices in the microwave for 10 seconds for a molten effect.
Conclusion
This Chocolate Pecan Fudge Cake is everything a dessert lover wants—deep chocolate flavor, gooey fudgy texture, crunchy pecans, and a rich glossy glaze that makes the cake unforgettable. It’s simple to prepare, uses common ingredients, and looks like a bakery masterpiece.