Description
A soft, nutty cake made with browned butter and chopped pecans, layered with creamy buttercream frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
- 3 cups (333g) cake flour
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups (354ml) buttermilk, room temperature preferred
- 2 large eggs, room temperature preferred
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (160g) pecan halves, finely chopped
- 1 ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup (66g) light brown sugar, firmly packed (for frosting)
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (for frosting)
- 4 ½ cups (562g) powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1 Tablespoon heavy cream (for frosting)
- ⅓ cup (35g) pecan halves, very finely chopped, optional (for decoration)
Instructions
- Melt the butter over medium-low heat, then increase the heat and cook until golden brown specks form.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round baking pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cake flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the browned butter to the dry ingredients and mix until incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in the finely chopped pecans.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely.
- Beat the softened butter, cream cheese, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and heavy cream, beating until fluffy.
- If necessary, level the cakes. Stack the layers with icing between each, then frost the outside of the cake. Decorate with additional chopped pecans and piped frosting swirls if desired.
Notes
Serve at room temperature for the best flavor. Pair with vanilla ice cream or drizzle with caramel for added richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg