Description
Indulgent chocolate pecan dream cake blends rich cocoa with nutty crunch, creating a dessert that whispers Southern comfort. Delicate layers promise a luxurious journey through classic baking traditions you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 grams) salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
Mix-in Ingredients:
- 1 cup (100 grams) chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup (85 grams) chocolate chips
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan by generously coating with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the dry ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of flour, sugar, cocoa powder, leavening agents, and salt.
- Create a separate mixture of liquid components, blending buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Gently combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring until just mixed. Carefully fold in the chopped pecans and chocolate chips to distribute evenly throughout the batter.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it uniformly. Bake for 55-60 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean when the cake is fully baked.
- While the cake is in the oven, prepare the topping by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture becomes smooth.
- Remove the topping from heat and incorporate the chopped pecans, creating a rich and nutty glaze.
- Allow the baked cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Once cooled, drizzle the pecan topping generously over the cake’s surface, then finish by melting additional chocolate chips and creating an elegant chocolate drizzle on top.
Notes
- Enhance moisture by using room temperature ingredients, ensuring smooth batter integration and even cake texture.
- Prevent chocolate chips and pecans from sinking by lightly coating them in flour before folding into the batter.
- Adjust oven temperature slightly lower if using dark metal pan to avoid over-browning and maintain cake’s delicate crumb.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free blend, maintaining similar measurement ratios.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg