Pecan Upside Down Cake
This Pecan Upside Down Cake is a stunning and delicious dessert featuring a rich caramel topping, buttery toasted pecans, and a moist, tender crumb. Perfect for any occasion, it combines simple pantry staples into a show-stopping, flavorful cake that pairs beautifully with ice cream or whipped cream.
- Author: Kaeli
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be made gluten free or vegan with substitutions
For the Pecan Caramel Topping
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup pecans, chopped (toasted if desired)
For the Cake Batter
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for GF version)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk (or plant-based milk for dairy-free version)
- Prepare the caramel pecan topping: Melt 1/4 cup butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar together in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat until the mixture caramelizes and becomes glossy. Stir in 1 cup chopped pecans evenly, then immediately pour this mixture into the bottom of a greased 9-inch round cake pan or cast iron skillet, spreading it out evenly to form the base.
- Mix the cake batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream the softened 1/2 cup butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Stir gently until smooth and well combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the cake batter gently over the caramel pecan topping in the pan, smoothing the top if needed. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool and invert: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edges, then place a serving plate on top and invert the cake to release the caramelized pecans on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure even mixing and baking.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly before inverting to prevent the topping from sticking.
- Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their flavor and crunch.
- Spread pecan topping evenly for consistent flavor distribution.
- Check doneness with a toothpick to avoid overbaking or drying out the cake.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: pecan upside down cake, caramel pecan cake, upside down cake, pecan dessert, easy cake recipe, nutty dessert, moist cake