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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and preparing a loaf pan with grease, flour, or parchment paper for smooth cake release.
- 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.
- 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.
- Merge wet and dry ingredients gradually, alternating with sour cream, mixing until ingredients are just incorporated without overmixing.
- Distribute toasted pecans evenly throughout the batter, folding gently to maintain mixture’s delicate structure.
- 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.
- Allow cake to rest in pan for 10 minutes, then transition to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Craft cream cheese icing by blending cream cheese and butter until seamless, gradually introducing powdered sugar, vanilla, and a salt pinch.
- Adjust icing consistency by adding milk incrementally until desired texture is achieved.
- 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