Welcome to a world of decadence and delight with our Butter Pecan Pound Cake recipe. This luxurious dessert is a symphony of flavors, combining rich buttery pound cake with crunchy pecans and a luscious glaze that will leave your taste buds singing. Perfect for special occasions, holidays, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth cravings, this Butter Pecan Pound Cake is sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Join us as we explore the steps to creating this heavenly treat and dive into the world of pound cake perfection.
Ingredients:
Cake:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 5 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups pecans, roughly chopped
Glaze:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon pecan extract or vanilla extract
- 1/2-2 cups powdered sugar, plus more until desired consistency is reached
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in Pecans: Gently fold the chopped pecans into the batter until evenly distributed.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and water, and cook until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the pecan extract (or vanilla extract). Gradually whisk in powdered sugar until the glaze reaches your desired consistency.
- Glaze the Cake: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Sprinkle additional chopped pecans on top for garnish, if desired.
- Serve: Slice the Butter Pecan Pound Cake and serve it with a cup of coffee or tea for a truly indulgent treat.
Cook Notes and Variations:
- Toasting Pecans: For added flavor, toast the chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant before adding them to the cake batter.
- Add Bourbon: For an extra kick of flavor, add a splash of bourbon to the glaze or the cake batter. The warm, rich notes of bourbon complement the buttery pecans perfectly.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute gluten-free flour for the all-purpose flour to make this cake gluten-free. Ensure that all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
Keto and Low-Carb Versions:
For those following a keto or low-carb lifestyle, here are some adjustments to make this recipe keto-friendly:
- Almond Flour: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or a combination of almond flour and coconut flour to reduce the carb content.
- Sugar Substitute: Use a keto-friendly sweetener such as erythritol or stevia in place of sugar and brown sugar in both the cake batter and the glaze.
- Butter and Cream: Increase the amounts of butter and heavy cream in the cake batter and glaze to add richness and moisture without adding carbs.
In conclusion, our Butter Pecan Pound Cake is a true indulgence that is worth every calorie. With its buttery crumb, crunchy pecans, and sweet glaze, it’s a dessert that never fails to impress. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself to a little slice of heaven, this pound cake is sure to delight your senses and leave you craving more.
So why wait? Whip up a batch of this decadent dessert today and experience the irresistible allure of Butter Pecan Pound Cake for yourself. Your taste buds will thank you!
