Chocolate Praline Layer Cake

Submitted by Michelle S.

"This is a wonderful cake we often have at special occasions. It is a Pillsbury bake off winner from many years ago."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 5mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• cake

• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1⁄4 cup whipping cream
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 3⁄4 cup coarsley chopped pecans
• 1 (18 ounce) package devil's food cake mix
• 1 1⁄4 cups water
• 1⁄3 cup oil
• 3 eggs

• topping

• 1 1⁄4 cups whipping cream
• 1⁄4 cup powdered sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla
• pecan halves, if desired
• chocolate curls, if desired

directions

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a heavy saucepan, combine butter, 1/4 cup whipping cream and brown sugar.
3. Cook over low heat just until butter is melted, stirring occasionally.
4. Pour into two 9-inch round cake pans; sprinkle evenly with chopped pecans.
5. In a large bowl, combine remaining cake ingredients at low speed until moistened; beat 2 minutes at high speed.
6. Carefully spoon batter over pecan mixture around edges of pan; spoon remaining batter in center of pans.
7. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes, or until done.
8. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely.
9. In a small bowl, beat 1 1/4 cup whipping cream until soft peaks form.
10. Blend in powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form.
11. To assemble cake, place 1 layer on serving plate, praline side up.
12. Spread with half of whipped cream.
13. Top with second layer, praline side up; spread top with remaining whipped cream.
14. Garnish with pecan halves and chocolate curls if desired.
15. Store in refrigerator.

Reviews

[lhgolden]

Got rave reviews @ a luncheon at work. Not a crumb left to bring home.

 

[M. Joan]

I love the shortcut of using a cake mix and having it turn out delicious as well. I, too, would give this recipe 10 stars. I didn't have enough whipping cream for entire cake so used Cool Whip on the top. I will probably use Cool Whip the next time, too. There will be many "next times" with this recipe. Thanks Michelle!

 

[Jellyqueen]

Let's just say that this recipe should be a double 5 star. No one would have guessed that it was a cake mix, if I hadn't told them. It not only makes a beautiful presentation, it taste just as good as it looks. People were asking me for the recipe before they even tasted it. That is how pretty this cake looks.

 

[meanmom45]

I have been making this cake for years ever since I saw it on the Pillsbury bake off. It is a favorite at our house. Easy to make and always delicious. I have used several different brands of cake mix and it is always wonderful. I always replace the oil in the cake mix with apple sauce to cut down on the fat a little. There just aren't the words to describe how good and easy this is. YUM!

 

[jean D.]

Made this cake for a company birthday celebration. Rave reviews and orders to make 3 more!