If you’re searching for a show-stopping dessert that tastes like it was made from scratch but comes together with simple ingredients, this Pecan Praline Cake will absolutely steal the spotlight. Rich, buttery, and studded with crunchy pecans, this cake is draped in a dreamy praline glaze that soaks into every slice. Whether you’re making it for a holiday crowd or just to treat yourself with Southern sweetness, you’ll love how every bite hums with flavor and nostalgia.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best part about this recipe is how easy the ingredients are to source, yet each one makes a special contribution. From the soft tang of sour cream to the crunch of pecans, every addition builds layers of taste and irresistible texture in the Pecan Praline Cake.
- Butter Pecan Cake Mix: Infuses the base with buttery richness and that classic Southern flavor without fuss.
- Water: Makes the batter the perfect consistency—don’t substitute with milk or the texture may be too dense.
- Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture to keep the cake beautifully tender.
- Large Eggs: Provide structure and richness, crucial for the cake’s soft crumb.
- Sour Cream: Delivers a creamy tang and helps the cake stay moist for days.
- Chopped Pecans: Brings nutty crunch in every bite and a touch of rustic elegance.
- Coconut Pecan Frosting: An instant boost of flavor and a shortcut to decadence in the batter.
- Unsalted Butter: The start of a luscious praline glaze—use unsalted to control flavor perfectly.
- Brown Sugar: Melts into the butter for a gorgeously deep, caramel flavor in the glaze.
- Evaporated Milk: Lends silkiness and richness to the praline topping.
- Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the glaze set up to a dreamy, pourable consistency.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a teaspoon deepens all the warm flavors in the glaze.
- Pinch of Salt: Balances the sweetness and highlights the nutty notes.
How to Make Pecan Praline Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Mixer
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This ensures your Pecan Praline Cake releases cleanly and bakes evenly. Gather all your ingredients, and set out a large mixing bowl so you’re ready to dive in when you start combining.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
In your large bowl, blend together the butter pecan cake mix, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and sour cream. Mix until everything is smooth and luscious—don’t over-mix, just make sure all dry pockets disappear. This is when those heavenly cake smells start escaping from the bowl!
Step 3: Fold in Pecans and Frosting
Gently fold in the chopped pecans and coconut pecan frosting. These mix-ins bring texture and even more Southern flavor to every bite. The batter will look thick and tempting, studded with nutty goodness.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pour your batter into the prepared pan and give it a little shake to level it out. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. The edges should be golden and your kitchen will smell absolutely irresistible.
Step 5: Cook the Praline Glaze
As your cake nears the finish line, start making the glaze. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, then stir in the brown sugar and evaporated milk. Let it all bubble gently for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring the whole time to keep things smooth and caramel-like.
Step 6: Finish the Glaze
Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and that essential pinch of salt. The glaze should turn silky and pourable—just right for enveloping your freshly baked cake.
Step 7: Glaze the Warm Cake
Once your cake comes out of the oven, let it cool just briefly, then pour the praline glaze evenly over the warm surface. The glaze will soak in a little, giving you a crackly, tempting finish. Don’t be afraid to lick the spoon after!
Step 8: Cool and Set
Let your Pecan Praline Cake cool fully so the glaze can set. If you’re feeling fancy, add a sprinkle of extra toasted pecans on top for that bakery-style finish before serving.
How to Serve Pecan Praline Cake
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar or a scattering of toasted pecan halves elevates every slice to bakery-level beauty. For special occasions, try a drizzle of caramel sauce or a few flakes of sea salt on top to echo the praline notes.
Side Dishes
Serve your Pecan Praline Cake with freshly whipped cream or a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. A hot cup of strong coffee or a silky dessert wine also makes a delicious pairing, turning dessert into a real occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
You can cut the cake into neat squares for brunch, elegant rectangles for afternoon tea, or even stack layers with cream cheese frosting between them for an unforgettable layer cake. Mini-cupcakes glazed with praline are irresistible at any party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover your Pecan Praline Cake tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. The glaze helps lock in moisture, so every bite stays luscious and fresh—the flavor even deepens overnight!
Freezing
This cake freezes surprisingly well. Cool it completely, then wrap individual slices in plastic and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying. For best results, freeze unglazed and add the praline just before serving.
Reheating
To revive that just-baked magic, microwave a slice for 10 to 15 seconds until the glaze turns gooey and the crumb warms through. If you’re serving a crowd, warm the whole (unglazed) cake in a low oven, then glaze right before slicing.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cake batter instead of a mix?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite butter pecan cake recipe, you can swap it in for the boxed mix. Just keep the proportions similar for best results and continue with the mix-ins and glaze as described.
What if I can’t find coconut pecan frosting?
No worries—try a homemade version using shredded coconut, chopped pecans, sugar, butter, and evaporated milk. You could also substitute with a sweetened condensed milk-coconut mixture in a pinch.
Do I need to toast the pecans?
Toasting isn’t required, but it brings out the rich, nutty flavor of the pecans and adds a bit more crunch. Toss them in a dry skillet for a few minutes until fragrant, or scatter over the cake before baking.
Is this Pecan Praline Cake very sweet?
It is decadent, but the pinch of salt and tangy sour cream balance all the sweetness beautifully. Pairing with unsweetened coffee or whipped cream gives you a dreamy balance of flavors.
Can I make this as cupcakes or a layer cake?
Yes! Portion the batter into lined muffin tins for cupcakes (reduce bake time to about 20-25 minutes) or divide between cake pans for a festive layer cake. The praline glaze drizzles perfectly over either.
Final Thoughts
Pecan Praline Cake is the kind of soul-satisfying dessert that begs to be shared. Its layers of flavor and gooey glaze make it an instant favorite at any gathering. Gather your ingredients and treat yourself—you may just find it becomes your go-to celebration cake, too!
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Pecan Praline Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich, nutty goodness of this Pecan Praline Cake. A delightful butter pecan cake base, studded with chopped pecans and topped with a decadent praline glaze, makes this dessert a true Southern classic.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 box butter pecan cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 (16-ounce) can coconut pecan frosting
Praline Glaze:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix the cake batter: In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and sour cream. Fold in pecans and coconut pecan frosting.
- Bake the cake: Pour batter into the pan and bake for 40–45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Make the praline glaze: Melt butter in a saucepan, add brown sugar and milk. Simmer, then whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Glaze the cake: Pour the warm glaze over the cooled cake.
- Serve: Allow the cake to cool and the glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- For extra crunch, add toasted pecans on top.
- This cake tastes even better the next day.
- Perfect for holidays or potlucks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 42 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 64 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
