Southern Butter Pecan Layer Cake

Southern Butter Pecan Layer Cake is a classic comfort dessert famous for its rich buttery flavor, toasted pecans, and soft tender crumb. Finished with a silky frosting, this cake is perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or high-traffic dessert posts on your recipe website (especially popular with USA audiences).

⏱ Prep Time

Prep: 30 minutes
Bake: 25–30 minutes
Cooling & frosting: 45 minutes
Total time: about 1 hour 45 minutes

🍴 Equipment

Two or three 8-inch round cake pans
Mixing bowls
Electric mixer
Spatula
Cooling rack
Cake turntable (optional but helpful)

🧾 Ingredients

For the Butter Pecan Cake

2½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1¾ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1½ cups chopped pecans (toasted)

For the Creamy Frosting (Classic Southern Style)

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
3½ cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2–3 tablespoons milk or cream

Optional Garnish

Extra toasted pecans
Caramel drizzle

📝 Ingredient Notes

Toast the pecans first (350°F / 175°C for 6–8 minutes) for deeper flavor.
Buttermilk keeps the cake very soft and tender.
Room-temperature butter and eggs help create a fluffy batter.
Do not skip the salt — it balances sweetness.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1 — Prepare Oven & Pans

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and line cake pans with parchment.

Step 2 — Mix Dry Ingredients

In a bowl whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3 — Cream Butter & Sugar

Beat butter and sugar for 3–4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
Stir in vanilla.

Step 4 — Combine Batter

Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with buttermilk.
Mix just until combined.
Fold in toasted pecans.

Step 5 — Bake

Divide batter evenly into pans.
Bake 25–30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool completely before frosting.

Step 6 — Make Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Add powdered sugar gradually.
Mix in vanilla and milk until fluffy and spreadable.

Step 7 — Assemble Cake

Frost between layers.
Cover top and sides.
Decorate with extra pecans and caramel if desired.

🥗 Nutrition Facts (Approx per slice)

Calories: 560
Carbohydrates: 62g
Fat: 32g
Protein: 7g
Sugar: 45g

⭐ Pro Tips (Southern Bakery Secrets)

✔ Always toast pecans — huge flavor difference
✔ Do not overmix once flour is added
✔ Chill cake 20 minutes before final frosting for clean layers
✔ Brush layers lightly with simple syrup for extra moisture (optional)
✔ Use cake strips for perfectly even layers