Fluffy Butter Pecan Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

Sweet memories flood back when my grandmother’s classic butter pecan cake loaf with cream cheese icing appears on the kitchen counter.

Nutty aromas waft through the room, promising delectable comfort in every slice.

Pecans add a delightful crunch that makes this dessert irresistibly special.

Southern baking traditions shine through in this simple yet elegant treat.

Soft, moist cake layers mingle with rich cream cheese frosting for a heavenly combination.

Baking this recipe feels like wrapping yourself in a warm, delicious hug.

Each bite connects you to cherished culinary traditions that celebrate home-style baking.

Slice into this cake and let pure deliciousness surprise you.

What Sets Butter Pecan Cake Loaf Apart

• Enjoy the irresistible combination of moist cake and crunchy toasted pecans, creating a delightful contrast that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Versatile enough for casual family gatherings, afternoon tea, or special occasions, this cake impresses with its rich flavor and beautiful cream cheese icing topping.
• Requires basic baking skills and common pantry ingredients, making it an approachable recipe for bakers of all experience levels.

Must-Have Ingredients for Butter Pecan Cake Loaf

• All-Purpose Flour: A soft, fine flour that gives the cake its sturdy structure and tender crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden color and tender texture.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and moisture to the cake.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure to the cake.
• Sour Cream: Keeps the cake moist and adds a subtle tangy flavor.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
• Baking Soda: Assists with rising and helps balance the acidity of sour cream.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warm flavor to the cake.

• Pecans: Adds crunch, nutty flavor, and toasted richness to the cake.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a smooth, tangy base for the icing.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese icing.
• Milk: Adjusts the consistency of the cream cheese icing.

Instructions for Baking Butter Pecan Cake Loaf

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350F (175C). Prep a loaf pan by greasing and flouring or lining with parchment paper for hassle-free cake removal.

Step 2: Give Pecans a Golden Glow

Heat a skillet over medium flame. Toss chopped pecans into the pan and stir frequently. Watch them transform into golden nuggets of deliciousness in 5-7 minutes. Once they’re fragrant and toasty, pull them off the heat and let them chill.

Step 3: Whip Up the Cake Base

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Slowly marry the dry and wet ingredients, alternating with sour cream. Mix until just combined- no over-mixing allowed!

Step 4: Sprinkle in Nutty Goodness

Fold those toasted pecans into the batter, making sure they’re evenly distributed for maximum flavor in every bite.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Slide into the oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick comes out clean. Let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Craft the Creamy Topping

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Add milk one tablespoon at a time until the icing reaches your ideal consistency.

Step 7: Dress Up the Cake

Once the cake has cooled completely, lavish it with a thick layer of cream cheese icing. For an extra touch of fancy, sprinkle some reserved toasted pecans on top.

Tips for the Perfect Cake Loaf Texture

• Toast Pecans Perfectly: Stir nuts constantly while roasting to prevent burning and ensure even golden color, releasing their rich, nutty flavor.
• Prevent Dry Cake: Alternate wet and dry ingredients slowly when mixing to maintain moisture and create a tender, soft cake texture.
• Customize Icing Consistency: Adjust cream cheese frosting thickness by adding milk gradually, creating a spreadable or drizzling texture based on personal preference.
• Enhance Pecan Flavor: Use freshly toasted pecans for maximum crunch and aromatic depth, ensuring they're cooled before mixing into batter to prevent ingredient breakdown.
• Storage Secret: Cover cake loosely with plastic wrap and store at room temperature for 2-3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain freshness and prevent cream cheese icing from spoiling.

Keep Butter Pecan Cake Moist in Storage

• Store the butter pecan cake loaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Wrap the unfrosted cake completely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding cream cheese icing.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Alternatively, let the cake sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before serving to soften the icing and bring out the flavors.
• If serving within 24 hours, keep the cake covered at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Side Pairings for Pecan Cake Loaf

• Enjoy a glass of smooth bourbon like Maker's Mark, which complements the nutty, buttery notes of the pecan cake with its caramel and vanilla undertones.
• Select a rich, medium-roast coffee with hints of caramel or hazelnut to enhance the cake's warm, toasty pecan flavors and cut through the creamy icing.
• Choose a late-harvest Riesling with its sweet, honeyed profile that beautifully balances the cake's richness and provides a delightful contrast to the cream cheese icing.
• Sip on Frangelico, a hazelnut liqueur that echoes the pecan's roasted essence and adds a luxurious, velvety layer to the dessert experience.

Flavor Upgrades for Butter Pecan Cake

• Gluten-Free Pecan Cake: Replace wheat flour with a blend of almond and coconut flour for a gluten-free version that maintains a rich, moist texture.
• Vegan Butter Pecan Loaf: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use dairy-free butter and cream cheese alternatives, and swap sour cream for coconut yogurt to create a plant-based friendly cake.
• Low-Sugar Nutty Cake: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of regular sugar and reduce the overall sugar content while maintaining the cake's delicious pecan flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace dairy ingredients with coconut cream, almond milk, and dairy-free margarine to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals without compromising taste and texture.

Butter Pecan Cake Loaf With Cream Cheese Icing! Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Silky butter pecan cake loaf pays homage to Southern comfort baking with its rich, nutty profile. Cream cheese icing crowns this delectable treat, promising a blissful slice of indulgence you won’t want to miss.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Liquid and Supporting Ingredients:

• ½ cup whole milk (or buttermilk)

Cream Cheese Icing Ingredients:

• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 12 tablespoons milk (for consistency)

Garnish:

• ¼ cup chopped pecans, toasted

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and preparing a loaf pan with grease, flour, or parchment paper for smooth cake release.
2. Develop rich pecan flavor by gently toasting chopped pecans in a skillet over medium heat, stirring periodically until they transform into a golden, aromatic state. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
3. Create a smooth cake foundation by creaming butter and sugar until light and airy, then incorporate eggs individually, followed by vanilla extract. In a separate vessel, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Merge wet and dry ingredients gradually, alternating with sour cream, mixing until ingredients are just incorporated without overmixing.
5. Distribute toasted pecans evenly throughout the batter, folding gently to maintain mixture’s delicate structure.
6. Transfer batter to prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface for uniform baking. Bake in preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, monitoring doneness with a toothpick test.
7. Allow cake to rest in pan for 10 minutes, then transition to a wire rack for complete cooling.
8. Craft cream cheese icing by blending cream cheese and butter until seamless, gradually introducing powdered sugar, vanilla, and a salt pinch.
9. Adjust icing consistency by adding milk incrementally until desired texture is achieved.
10. Embellish fully cooled cake with a luxurious layer of cream cheese icing, optionally garnishing with additional toasted pecans for visual and textural appeal.

Notes

• Toasting pecans intensifies their nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch, creating a more complex taste profile for the cake.
• Use room temperature ingredients like butter, eggs, and sour cream to ensure smooth and even mixing, preventing lumps in the batter.
• Gluten-free adaptation is possible by substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the cake’s tender texture.
• Reduce sugar content by using a natural sweetener like monk fruit or stevia, making the recipe more diabetes-friendly without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 525
• Sugar: 41g
• Sodium: 182mg
• Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 65g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 85mg