Description
A rich, moist vanilla cake topped with a gooey caramel-pecan glaze that flips the script on traditional desserts. This Pecan Upside Down Cake brings warm Southern charm with every buttery bite—perfect for holidays or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups pecan halves
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened, divided)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan generously.
2. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly on the bottom of the greased pan. Dot with 1/4 cup of the butter, cut into pieces.
3. Arrange pecan halves in a decorative pattern on top of the sugar-butter base.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. In a separate large bowl, cream the remaining 1/4 cup butter with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
6. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
7. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry mix. Mix just until combined.
8. Gently spread the batter over the pecan layer, smoothing the top evenly.
9. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edges and invert onto a serving plate.
11. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Make sure the cake pan is at least 2 inches deep to prevent overflow from the caramel topping.
For extra nutty flavor, lightly toast the pecans before arranging them in the pan.
To prevent sticking, let the cake rest exactly 10 minutes before inverting—no more, no less!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Pecan cake, Upside down cake, Southern dessert