Butter Pecan Praline Cake Recipe

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✅ Ingredients

For the Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups sugar

1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)

½ cup unsalted butter (softened)

½ cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped pecans (lightly toasted)

For the Creamy Icing

½ cup butter

1 cup evaporated milk

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pinch of salt

(You’ll pour this warm over the cooled cake.)

For the Praline Pecan Topping

1 ½ cups pecans (halved or chopped)

¼ cup butter

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup evaporated milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

⭐ Instructions

STEP 1 — Toast the Pecans

This improves flavor!

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C.
  2. Spread pecans on a pan.
  3. Bake 5–7 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Let cool.

STEP 2 — Make the Cake Batter

  1. In a large bowl, beat softened butter, oil, and sugar until fluffy.
  2. Add eggs one at a time, beating well.
  3. Add vanilla.
  4. In another bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture in 3 parts, alternating with buttermilk.
  6. Fold in the toasted pecans.

STEP 3 — Bake the Cake

  1. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Pour in batter and smooth the top.
  3. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
  4. Let it cool completely.

⭐ STEP 4 — Make the Creamy Icing

This creates that silky white topping in your image.

  1. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
  2. Add sugar and evaporated milk.
  3. Stir continuously until it begins to simmer.
  4. Cook 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Turn off the heat and add vanilla and a pinch of salt.
  6. Pour warm icing over the cooled cake.
  7. Let it set for 10 minutes.

⭐ STEP 5 — Make the Praline Pecan Topping

This is the glossy pecan layer you see in the picture.

  1. In a saucepan melt butter.
  2. Add brown sugar and evaporated milk.
  3. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 2–3 minutes.
  4. Stir in vanilla and pecans.
  5. Spoon topping evenly over cake while warm.

⭐ STEP 6 — Chill or Serve Warm

For a gooey, warm dessert, serve after 20 minutes.

For a firm, sliceable cake, chill for 1 hour.

Both ways taste AMAZING.

⭐ Optional Add-Ons

Add shredded coconut to the topping.

Mix some crushed pecans into the batter.

Add caramel drizzle on top.

Serve with vanilla ice cream.

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