5 Crowd-Pleasing Pecan Cake Recipes

Pecan cake recipes combine buttery cake layers, toasted nuts, rich flavors, and satisfying texture into desserts that always disappear quickly at family gatherings. From pecan pie-inspired cakes to maple-glazed favorites and chocolate-packed creations, these recipes bring plenty of Southern charm and homemade comfort to the table.

This collection features five pecan cake recipes that are easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for holidays, celebrations, coffee breaks, and weekend baking. Every recipe highlights the rich, nutty flavor of pecans while offering its own unique twist.

Quick Summary

Here’s a quick look at the pecan cake recipes included in this list:

1. Pecan Pie Cake Recipe – A rich cake inspired by classic pecan pie with gooey pecan filling.
2. Brown Butter Pecan Cake Recipe – Buttery cake with toasted pecans and deep caramelized flavor.
3. Maple Pecan Cake Recipe – A soft maple-flavored cake loaded with crunchy pecans.
4. Chocolate Pecan Cake Recipe – Rich chocolate cake paired with toasted pecans.
5. Pecan Praline Coffee Cake Recipe – A sweet coffee cake topped with pecan praline goodness.

1. Pecan Pie Cake Recipe

Pecan pie cake brings together everything people love about traditional pecan pie and soft homemade cake. The combination of buttery cake layers and gooey pecan filling creates a rich dessert that feels perfect for holidays and special occasions.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk

For the Pecan Pie Filling

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans.
3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
5. Add eggs one at a time and mix in vanilla.
6. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk.
7. Divide batter between the prepared pans.
8. Bake for 25–30 minutes.
9. Cool the cakes completely.
10. For the filling, whisk brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, eggs, and vanilla.
11. Stir in pecans and cook over medium heat until thickened.
12. Cool the filling before spreading between cake layers.
13. Assemble the cake and garnish with extra toasted pecans.

2. Brown Butter Pecan Cake Recipe

Brown butter pecan cake delivers deep nutty flavor thanks to butter that has been gently cooked until golden and fragrant. Toasted pecans add crunch while the cake stays soft and moist.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup toasted chopped pecans

For the Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Brown the butter in a saucepan until golden and nutty smelling.
3. Cool slightly before using.
4. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Beat brown butter and brown sugar together.
6. Add eggs and vanilla extract.
7. Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk.
8. Fold in toasted pecans.
9. Pour into greased cake pans.
10. Bake for 28–32 minutes.
11. Cool completely.
12. Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
13. Frost the cake and garnish with additional pecans.

3. Maple Pecan Cake Recipe

Maple pecan cake combines the sweet warmth of maple syrup with crunchy toasted pecans for a cake that feels right at home during fall and holiday baking season.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 cup chopped pecans

For the Maple Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a 9-inch cake pan.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Beat butter and brown sugar until creamy.
5. Add eggs one at a time.
6. Mix in maple syrup and vanilla.
7. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk.
8. Fold in pecans.
9. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
10. Bake for 35–40 minutes.
11. Cool completely.
12. Whisk glaze ingredients together.
13. Drizzle over the cooled cake before serving.

4. Chocolate Pecan Cake Recipe

Chocolate pecan cake combines rich cocoa flavor and crunchy toasted pecans into a dessert that feels indulgent without being overly complicated. The combination of chocolate and pecans has been a favorite for generations.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup chopped pecans

For the Chocolate Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3 tbsp milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease two cake pans.
3. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
4. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
5. Add eggs and vanilla.
6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk.
7. Fold in chopped pecans.
8. Divide batter between pans.
9. Bake for 28–32 minutes.
10. Cool completely.
11. Beat frosting ingredients until smooth.
12. Frost cake layers and top with extra pecans.

5. Pecan Praline Coffee Cake Recipe

Pecan praline coffee cake features a soft buttery crumb, sweet praline topping, and plenty of toasted pecans. This cake pairs beautifully with coffee, making it a wonderful choice for brunches and family gatherings.

Ingredients

For the Coffee Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup sour cream

For the Praline Topping

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a 9-inch baking pan.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
5. Add eggs and vanilla.
6. Mix in sour cream.
7. Stir in dry ingredients until combined.
8. Spread batter into the prepared pan.
9. Mix praline topping ingredients together.
10. Sprinkle evenly over the batter.
11. Bake for 35–40 minutes.
12. Cool slightly before serving.