Description
Craving a show-stopping dessert with minimal effort? This Pecan Upside Down Cake delivers gooey caramelized pecans and moist vanilla cake in every slice. It’s a gorgeous, crowd-pleasing treat perfect for holidays, brunches, or cozy evenings in. Whether you need a quick dessert idea, holiday baking inspiration, or a classic Southern cake, this recipe has your back. It fits all kinds of food ideas from easy dinner party desserts to quick breakfast leftovers the next day.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups pecan halves
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter (for topping)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for topping)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (for batter)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for batter)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. Melt 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 cup brown sugar, stir until bubbly. Remove from heat, stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
3. Pour sugar mixture into pan. Arrange 1 1/2 cups pecan halves in a single layer on top.
4. Cream 1/2 cup butter and 3/4 cup sugar until fluffy. Beat in 2 eggs one at a time. Add 1/2 cup sour cream and 1 tsp vanilla.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt.
6. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, alternating with 1/2 cup milk.
7. Spread batter evenly over pecans in the pan.
8. Bake 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edge and invert onto a serving plate.
10. Let sit for another 5 minutes before lifting the pan.
Notes
Lightly toast pecans before baking for extra crunch and aroma.
Allow cake to rest after inverting to ensure the topping fully releases.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 95mg