Sweet & Nutty Pecan Praline Cake Recipe: A Homemade Gem

Sweet memories of southern gatherings dance through my pecan praline cake, a dessert that whispers comfort and celebration.

Childhood summers spent in louisiana inspired this decadent creation with its rich, caramel-like essence.

Layers of moist cake embrace a velvety praline filling that melts delicately on your tongue.

Warm notes of toasted pecans weave through each bite, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.

Delicate crumbs surrender to a luscious glaze that captures the soul of traditional southern baking.

Craving a slice of pure indulgence that connects you to generations of culinary love?

Dive into this recipe and let magic unfold on your plate.

Why Pecan Praline Cake Stands Out

• Simplify Baking: Leverage a pre-made cake mix for an incredibly smooth cake preparation process that reduces kitchen stress and complexity.
• Indulge Southern Charm: Celebrate classic Southern dessert traditions with a decadent pecan praline cake that brings rich, comforting flavors to your table.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and casual celebrations where everyone craves a sweet, nutty dessert that appeals to multiple taste preferences.
• Customize with Ease: Add personal touches like extra pecans or a sprinkle of sea salt to make this cake uniquely yours while maintaining its delicious core recipe.

What Goes Into Pecan Praline Cake

• Butter Pecan Cake Mix: A convenient base mix that provides the primary flavor profile for the cake.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth cake batter.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cake remains tender and moist.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.
• Coconut Pecan Frosting: Enhances the cake's flavor with rich, nutty undertones.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the overall cake flavor.

• Chopped Pecans: Provides a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the cake.

• Butter, Brown Sugar, Heavy Cream: Create a rich, caramel-like base for the praline frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Gives the frosting its smooth and sweet consistency.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the frosting.

Baking Instructions for Pecan Praline Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab your 9×13-inch baking pan and coat it thoroughly with cooking spray or butter. Set your oven to preheat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Create Cake Batter

• Butter pecan cake mix
• Milk
• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Coconut pecan frosting
• Vanilla extract

Whisk everything together until the mixture looks smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 3: Add Nutty Crunch

Gently fold chopped pecans into the batter, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 5: Craft Praline Frosting

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.

Stir in brown sugar and heavy cream, creating a rich, bubbling mixture. Cook until the ingredients blend smoothly.

Step 6: Finish Frosting

Remove the pan from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in powdered sugar and a pinch of salt until the frosting reaches a silky consistency.

Step 7: Frost and Serve

Once the cake has completely cooled, drizzle the praline frosting over the top, making sure to cover every inch. Allow the frosting to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving this delightful dessert.

Tips to Perfect Your Praline Cake

• Choose plump, intact pecans with a rich, buttery aroma for maximum flavor and crunch in your cake.
• Avoid overmixing the batter and ensure ingredients are at room temperature to help the cake rise evenly and maintain a light texture.
• Let the praline frosting cool slightly before pouring to achieve the perfect drizzle and prevent it from becoming too runny or hard.
• Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before adding to the batter to intensify their nutty flavor and add depth to the cake.
• Keep the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate to extend freshness while maintaining its moist texture.

Alternate Takes on Praline Cake

• Gluten-Free Praline Pecan Cake: Replace the butter pecan cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Pecan Praline Dessert: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based milk, dairy-free butter alternative, and coconut cream instead of heavy cream to create a completely plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Praline Cake: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia in both cake and frosting, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining a rich, sweet flavor profile.
• Nutty Alternative Cake: Replace pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different nutty experience, offering a fresh take on the classic praline cake recipe without changing core preparation methods.

Ideal Matches for Pecan Praline Cake

Dark roast or chicory coffee cuts through the cake’s sweetness, complementing the nutty pecan flavors with its robust profile.

Smooth bourbon whiskey enhances the caramel and pecan notes, creating a luxurious dessert experience that highlights the cake’s rich undertones.

Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, sweet praline cake, balancing the dessert’s intense flavors and adding a delightful textural element.

Sweet butterscotch liqueur echoes the caramel praline essence, intensifying the cake’s buttery and nutty characteristics while offering a smooth, indulgent finish.

Keep That Praline Cake Tasting Fresh

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Wrap the entire uncut cake tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Wrap each cake slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore moisture and enhance flavor.

FAQs

• What ingredients make this cake unique?

The combination of butter pecan cake mix, coconut pecan frosting, and homemade praline topping creates a rich, nutty flavor profile that sets this cake apart from traditional desserts.

• Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?

Absolutely! While pecans are traditional, you can substitute walnuts or almonds for a similar texture and nutty taste without significantly changing the recipe.

• Is this cake considered difficult to make?

No, this is actually a very beginner-friendly recipe. The cake uses a boxed mix as its base, which simplifies the baking process, and the praline frosting is straightforward to prepare.

• How do I know when the cake is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is done.

Pecan Praline Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent Southern pecan praline cake brings creamy caramel and nutty richness to classic dessert traditions. Sweet layers of Louisiana-inspired comfort promise delightful moments of pure culinary pleasure you’ll savor with every blissful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box butter pecan cake mix
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 container coconut pecan frosting

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Topping and Garnish Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113 grams)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (60 milliliters)
• 1 cup powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with grease to prevent sticking.
2. Combine cake mix, milk, vegetable oil, eggs, coconut pecan frosting, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl, blending thoroughly until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
3. Gently incorporate chopped pecans into the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
4. Transfer the prepared batter into the greased baking pan, spreading it evenly to create a level surface.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and free from raw batter.
6. Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature, which typically takes about 1-2 hours.
7. Create the praline frosting by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then introduce brown sugar and heavy cream.
8. Stir the butter mixture continuously until it reaches a smooth, glossy consistency and begins to bubble.
9. Remove from heat and let the mixture rest for 5 minutes to slightly cool and stabilize.
10. Whisk powdered sugar and salt into the warm mixture until achieving a silky, lump-free frosting.
11. Carefully pour the praline frosting over the completely cooled cake, using a spatula to spread it evenly across the surface.
12. permit the frosting to set and solidify for approximately 15-20 minutes before cutting into servings.

Notes

• Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile for the cake.
• Swap out regular milk with buttermilk for a more tender and moist cake texture that adds subtle tanginess.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and consistent batter without lumps.
• Consider reducing sugar in frosting if you prefer less sweetness, balancing the rich pecan flavor.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg