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The Ultimate Butterscotch Pecan Cake Recipe

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  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert, Cake
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This moist and decadent Butterscotch Pecan Cake is layered with a rich, homemade butterscotch sauce and topped with toasted pecans. Perfect for any celebration, this cake will melt in your mouth with every bite!


Ingredients

Scale
  1. For the Cake:
    • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 4 large eggs
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup buttermilk
    • 1 cup chopped pecans (toasted, if desired)

    For the Butterscotch Sauce:

    1. 1 cup brown sugar, packed
    2. ½ cup unsalted butter
    3. ½ cup heavy cream
    4. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    5. Pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Make the Cake:
    • Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
    • Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
    • Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
    • Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
    • Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined. Fold in the pecans.
    • Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  • Make the Butterscotch Sauce:
    • Combine Ingredients: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. Stir until the mixture comes to a boil.
    • Simmer: Allow to simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Let it cool slightly before using.
  • Assemble the Cake:
    • Layer the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Drizzle with some butterscotch sauce, then top with the second layer.
    • Frost and Drizzle: Drizzle the top of the cake with more butterscotch sauce and garnish with additional chopped pecan

Notes

  • Toasting the pecans adds extra flavor to the cake. You can toast them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes.
  • Make sure the cake is fully cooled before assembling to avoid melting the butterscotch sauce.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Sugar: 35g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Fat: 23g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 55g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg