This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy
I’m not a cake baker.
Like, for real, I can not bake a cake to save my life. At least, not a from scratch cake. I can usually do a box mix.
Not always, but usually. I have a bad habit of over-baking them.
I’m really doing a great job selling this recipe so far, aren’t I?
“Hi! I can’t make cakes! Here’s a cake recipe! Please try it!”
Um, what I was trying to do was say that if this cake turns out well for me, then surely it will turn out for you.
I’ve gotten really good at doctoring up cake mixes to make up for my inability to make scratch cakes. I sometimes add an extra egg or use milk instead of water. I always, always, always add a teaspoon of vanilla, and use melted butter instead of oil. It makes the cake much more homemade-y.
This cake was another one that even my cake-hating husband enjoyed a lot. He’s always been a Butter Pecan fan, so I had a feeling he’d go for this. (The other cake that he enjoys is this Peanut Butter & Banana Pound Cake with Nutella Glaze.)
Looking for more butter pecan recipes? How about these decadent Butter Pecan Squares (bonus: the recipe comes with my engagement story which is fitting since we just celebrated anniversary #12!)!
Butter Pecan Cake with Caramel Frosting
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 1/2 cups pecans chopped
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 box butter cake mix
- eggs as called for on your box mix
- milk to replace the water called for on your box mix
- oil as called for on the box
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For the frosting:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
To make the cake:
- Melt the 1/4 cup of butter in a skillet over low heat. Add the pecans and toss to coat. Toast, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until fragrant and toasted.
- Add the cake mix to the bowl of your mixer. Add the eggs. Add in milk in place of the water called for on the box. Add the butter or oil as called for on the box of mix. Add in 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
- Beat together as directed on the box. During the last 30 seconds of mixing, add the pecans to the batter.
- Pour batter into two greased 9 inch cake pan and bake as directed on the box.
- Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting:
- In a medium sauce pan, melt together the butter, cream, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil and boil for one minute.
- Remove from the heat and add to the bowl of a stand mixer. Allow to cool for 15 minutes.
- Add the vanilla and powdered sugar to the bowl and beat together until well combined.
- Add milk or cream to get the correct consistency, as needed.
- Frost the cake.
Julie says
I used this icing on a butter pecan Betty Crocker box cake. I hate canned frosting and always make it from scratch. Anyways…..i went searching to see what was normally used for frosting on butter pecan cakes and stumbled across this recipe. I just wanted to tell you every single person who had the cake commented on how delicious the frosting was! The entire thing is gone too. My husband and 2 young adult sons had 3 pieces each……loving that frosting. It was very easy and the best part is it only uses a quarter cup of butter, compared to a full pound in butter icing. At $7/pound in Canada these days, this recipe is delicious and economical.
Thank you for your help. I will give the cake part of the recipe a try soon.
Karly Campbell says
I’m so glad you enjoyed the frosting so much and that it was such a hit with your family! Thanks for the review!
Jennifer V. says
I made this cake for my Pecan Loving Enthusiast in my life (my mother in law). This is her favorite cake now! Everyone loved it. The cake and frosting were perfection. Great recipe and will definitely be making a lot more. Thank you for sharing!
Karly says
I’m so glad your MIL and everyone else enjoyed the cake! <3
Hannah A. says
The BEST frosting I’ve ever had! I didn’t make the cake but did make the frosting. Let me tell you! It is AMAZING!
Karly says
Love to hear that! Thanks, Hannah!
Shirley Fletcher says
Frosting did not thicken! Tastes very good but more of a glaze than frostin
Karly says
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Did you let the mixture cool before adding the powdered sugar? Not sure what would have went wrong otherwise.
Angie says
I only used a store bought butter pecan cake mix BUT I made your frosting- however,I did not add the powdered sugar or vanilla- I used it as a glaze! It was so delicious that I printed your recipe and will be making it as you instructed next time. I can’t wait! 🙂
Karly says
Sounds delicious, Angie!
Medora Williams says
What a waste of pecans. The icing just doesn’t even become spreadable until I put in 4 cups of powdered sugar. Just a so-so cake. I’m very disappointed
Karly says
I’m sorry this one didn’t work out for you. Did you allow the caramel to cool before adding the powdered sugar? It sounds like maybe it wasn’t cool enough or it didn’t boil long enough.
Patricia Gregoire says
I have just made this cake an hour ago and it is far from being dry! I think you might have missed something along the way? If had added sour cream the cake would have been really goupy and awful but the one I have here cooling in my kitchen is perfect. I cut a small piece of f the end of the cake and I had to eat it of course.
Karly says
Glad it turned out well for you! 🙂
Nancy says
This is very good, but the amounts in the frosting is wrong! I used 31/4 cups of icing sugar!
BakingTherapy says
The Frosting was amazing!
BakingTherapy says
I made the cake – but the cake was very dry. Used butter as suggested but it definately was too dry. Might need a cup of sour cream or something to moisten it.
Karly says
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Sour cream might be a great addition.
Angel says
This cake was insanely good! I made it exactly as above but my icing must not have been cool enough so I thickened it by adding about 1/4 bar of creme cheese and mixing it well with a hand mixer. The cake was SO moist and the icing made the lihtest flaky glaze I have ever seen, JUST like a praline! It tasted like pralines, caramel and butter pecan ice cream. We were in a hurry to eat it so I forgot to take a picture. My fiance said its his new favorite and my inlaws LOVED it! A HUGE HIT! Thank you SO much! Keeping this one!
Karly says
So glad to hear you guys liked this one so much! 🙂
Jean says
I must try this cake. Recently I saw a recipe for something using butter pecan cake mix. It must be a regional mix because I have never seen it in the northeast. In fact my favorite caramel flavored mix (with caramel frosting) is not sold here anymore. This sounds like it will take its place with that frosting. Thank you.
Raisehell says
I made this cake for a birthday party tonight and it is awesome. It tastes like a pecan praline. The frosting is super yummy. Thank you for sharing this recipe. It’s definitely a keeper!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Hoooow in the world did I miss this?! In your words: Amazeballs.
Karly says
@Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel,
Haha! I say the strangest things.