The Best Butter Pecan Cake

"This cake is a bit of work, but it's so worth it! Top with your favorite brand of butter pecan ice cream and you'll think you've died and gone to heaven!"
 
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Ready In:
1hr 30mins
Ingredients:
16
Serves:
12
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ingredients

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directions

  • Prepare the pecans: Preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Put the 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of butter in a shallow baking pan with the chopped pecans and put the pan in the oven for 15- 20 minutes, stirring the pecans and melted butter every few minutes, until the fragrance is wonderfully toasty.
  • Watch carefully near the end to avoid burning.
  • Remove from pan and set aside.
  • Grease and flour three 8 or 9-inch round layer cake pans.
  • Prepare the cake: In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the 3/4 cup (1 1/2) sticks of butter.
  • Beat in the 2 cups of sugar, creaming well.
  • Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Add the 2 teaspoons of vanilla to the milk.
  • Beat the flour mixture into the batter in thirds, alternating with the milk mixture.
  • Fold in 1 1/3 cups of the butter-toasted pecans into the cake batter.
  • Divide batter equally into the prepared pans.
  • Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  • Cool and remove from pans.
  • Prepare the frosting: Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat and stir in the flour.
  • Stir until all of the flour has been moistened or at least colored a little by the butter.
  • Stir in the milk just a little at a time, stirring constantly and incorporating all the milk each time before adding more, working to incorporate all the flour and avoid lumps.
  • Continue until all the milk is in and the mixture is thickened and smooth.
  • Transfer to the small bowl of an electric mixer, and beat to remove any lumps you missed.
  • Cool completely.
  • When the flour mixture is cool, beat in the teaspoon of vanilla, then the softened butter.
  • Add the 1 cup of sugar, and beat 2 minutes at medium speed, until the mixture is fluffy and no graininess from sugar remains.
  • Fold in the fat-free Cool Whip and the remaining 2/3 cup of butter-toasted pecans.
  • Fill and frost the top of the cake.

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Reviews

  1. I made this as part of my 9/11 anniversary dinner. The only time I ever find butter pecan flavored anything is when I'm in America. I love the flavor combo, so this really means American to me. I made a non-dairy version of the cake, subbing soy milk for the milk in the cake part of the recipe, and using a carton of Rich Whip, since we don't have CoolWhip where I live. The cake baked beautifully and I got lots of oooooohs when I brought it to the table. Friends who had stuffed themselves silly on hamburgers, hot dogs and coleslaw suddenly found some space in their stomachs for dessert. Just one note: Instruction #3 -- Watch carefully near the end to avoid burning -- this should be in bold, flashing, Las Vegas-style letters, you have to watch very carefully, the pecans toast fast! One minute you have this wonderful smell in your kitchen, and if you're not careful, you'll have the fire department coming to investigate that burning smell. I rescued mine just in time, it was hard not to pick at them before I folded them into the cake. Yooper, thanks for the great recipe!
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

What can I say about myself that hasn't already been mentioned in the police reports? Just kidding! I'm a single guy who loves to cook! Good thing, or I'd starve or go broke eating out! I love to read, horror and mysteries are my favorite. Love music, (except rap) and I'm a huge Green Bay Packer Fan!
 
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