Southern Comfort Pecan Caramel Upside Down Cake

Recipe Introduction

Ever get that craving for something utterly comforting? Something that just screams "homemade goodness?" Well, let me introduce you to my Pecan Upside Down Cake: 7 .

Honestly, this isn't just any cake.

Sweet Southern Charm: Why This Cake Rocks

This Pecan Upside Down Cake is like a warm hug from the South. The history? Well, upside down cakes go way back, but this Southern pecan dessert recipes version feels extra special.

It's pretty straightforward to make, taking about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes from start to finish, and makes enough for 8-10 slices.

Sharing is optional, of course!

Pecan Pie Upside Down Cake Recipe Benefits

Beyond the obvious "it tastes amazing," this caramel pecan cake is packed with pecans. These nuts are a good source of healthy fats and antioxidants, so you can tell yourself it's almost healthy! This easy pecan cake recipe is perfect for a Sunday brunch, a potluck, or honestly, just because you deserve a treat.

What makes it special? That sticky, gooey, utterly addictive caramel pecan topping. You know?

Let's Get Baking: The Players

Ready to get started on this Pecan Upside Down Cake Recipe ? First, let's talk ingredients for that glorious pecan caramel layer.

You'll need ½ cup (1 stick) (113g) unsalted butter, ¾ cup (150g) packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons water, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 ½ cups (150g) pecan halves and a pinch of sea salt (optional).

Now, for the butter pecan upside down cake batter: 1 ½ cups (192g) all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ cup (1 stick) (113g) unsalted butter, ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and

¾ cup (177ml) buttermilk.

Don't worry if you are missing some ingredients like the buttermilk. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to ¾ cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes and you are done.

Get ready to bake the best upside down cake recipes ever!

Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Pecan Upside Down Cake Recipe

Alright, let's talk ingredients! Honestly, the quality makes or breaks this Pecan Upside Down Cake: 7. It is a family favourite, and this is how I do it!

Main Ingredients

For that Divine Caramel Layer:

• ½ cup (1 stick) (113g) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing. Don't skimp on the butter here! Proper butter makes all the difference!.
• ¾ cup (150g) packed light brown sugar. It needs to be soft and moist. You know, like you'd use for millionaire's shortbread.
• 2 tablespoons water. Simple, right?
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Quality extract is key!
• 1 ½ cups (150g) pecan halves. Fresh pecans are a MUST! They should smell nutty and not be at all bitter.
• A pinch of sea salt (optional).

For the Cake Batter itself:

• 1 ½ cups (192g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting.
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder.
• ½ teaspoon baking soda.
• ¼ teaspoon salt.
• ½ cup (1 stick) (113g) unsalted butter, softened. Again, the good stuff!
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar.
• 2 large eggs.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Can't get enough of that vanilla!
• ¾ cup (177ml) buttermilk. This makes the cake super moist.

Seasoning Notes

Okay, so Southern Pecan Dessert Recipes have a few secrets. A touch of cinnamon in the batter? Chef's kiss . I have noticed that this is the best upside down cake recipes.

Here are some quick notes about seasoning:

• Vanilla extract: Absolutely essential!
• Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness perfectly.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warm flavour.

Ran out of buttermilk? Mix some lemon juice in milk. It's a decent substitute.

Equipment Needed

Let's keep it simple, yeah? Here are the essentials for this butter Pecan Upside Down Cake.

• 9 inch round cake pan . Cast iron is ideal, but anything will do.
• Mixing bowls . For all the mixtures.
• Electric mixer . Handheld is fine.
• Rubber spatula . To get every last bit!
• Measuring cups and spoons . Obvs!

Don't have a fancy mixer? A good old whisk works perfectly well too! You see this recipe can be made for anyone, and everyone!

Let's Get Baking: The Pecan Upside Down Cake: 7

Oh my gosh, are you ready for this? We're diving headfirst into a Southern classic with a twist. This Pecan Upside Down Cake recipe is not just any cake; it's a hug in cake form.

A warm, gooey, caramel pecan cake kinda hug. Honestly, even if you think baking is a bit scary, trust me, this is totally doable.

Prep Steps: Your Mise en Place Power-Up

First things first, let’s get organized. We need our stuff ready. This essential mise en place will save your bacon later.

Seriously, grab your ½ cup (1 stick) (113g) softened butter , ¾ cup (150g) packed brown sugar , and the rest.

Make sure your 9 inch round cake pan is greased and floured. Safety reminder: Always preheat your oven 350° F ( 175° C) before you start anything else.

step-by-step: From Zero to Cake Hero

Okay, let's do this! This easy pecan cake recipe is about to become your new go-to.

1. Melt ½ cup (1 stick) (113g) butter in a pan. Add ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar and 2 tablespoons water.
2. Stir until smooth. Then, stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
3. Pour the caramel into the cake pan. Arrange 1 ½ cups (150g) pecan halves evenly.
4. Whisk together dry ingredients.
5. Cream ½ cup (1 stick) (113g) butter and ¾ cup (150g) sugar. Beat in 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
6. Alternate dry and wet ingredients. Ending with dry ingredients, until just combined with ¾ cup (177ml) buttermilk . Don't overmix!
7. Pour the batter over the caramel.
8. Bake for 45- 55 minutes . Insert a skewer, if comes out clean then it's ready!

Pro Tips: Secrets of a really good Upside Down Cake

Here’s a sneaky shortcut: you can actually make the caramel layer a day ahead! Just cover the pan and keep it at room temperature.

A common mistake is not letting the cake cool enough before inverting. Give it 10- 15 minutes - any longer and the caramel gets too hard.

This Upside Down Bundt Cake trick works for any similar cake, including Pecan Pie Upside Down Cake Recipe .

So there you have it, best upside down cake recipes around! It may seem like a lot of steps, but each one is super easy, and the end result is totally worth it.

Think of it as a hug in a Southern pecan dessert recipes , perfect for a cuppa and a good old chinwag.

Happy baking, love!

Recipe Notes: Nailing that Pecan Upside Down Cake: 7 !

Right then, let's talk shop about this Pecan Upside Down Cake Recipe , shall we? There are a few bits and bobs that'll help you go from nailed it to oh my gosh, this is the best cake ever! Because let's face it, you want this Easy Pecan Cake Recipe to be a showstopper, not a flop.

Ace Serving Suggestions: Plating Like a Pro

Honestly, presentation matters. A simple dusting of icing sugar elevates the look. Serve warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The cold ice cream against the warm Caramel Pecan Cake is just pure magic. Feeling fancy? A drizzle of homemade bourbon caramel sauce takes it to another level.

Coffee or tea? Absolutely perfect with a slice of this Southern pecan dessert recipes marvel.

Ace Storage Tips: Keeping it Fresh

So, you've somehow managed not to eat the entire Butter Pecan Upside Down Cake in one sitting? Bravo! For refrigeration, wrap it tightly in cling film.

It'll keep happily for about 3 days. Want to freeze it? Slice it up first. Wrap each slice individually, then pop them into a freezer bag.

They’ll be good for up to 2 months. To reheat, just zap a slice in the microwave for about 30 seconds .

Ace Variations: Making it Your Own

Fancy a tweak? Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the batter for a warming spice. Got a mate who's dairy-free? Swap the butter for a dairy-free alternative.

Use almond or soy milk instead of buttermilk. You can even sub the pecans for apples or pears. This variation will result in a fabulous fruit based Upside Down Bundt Cake.

Ace Nutrition Basics: The Good Stuff

Alright, let’s keep it real. This is a cake! Each slice of Homemade pecan cake is roughly between 450-550 calories .

It also has about 5-7g of protein, 25-35g of fat , and 50-60g of carbohydrates . This is a rough estimate, based on 10 servings .

Remember, everything in moderation, yeah? It's a treat, not a daily staple.

So there you have it, my friend! All the secrets to making this amazing Pecan Pie Upside Down Cake Recipe .

Now get baking and prepare to wow everyone with your Best upside down cake recipes skills. You've got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prevent my Pecan Upside Down Cake: 7 from sticking to the pan when I invert it?

Greasing and flouring your cake pan thoroughly is key! Use softened butter to grease every nook and cranny, then dust with flour, tapping out any excess. Letting the cake cool for just 10-15 minutes before inverting is also crucial. If you wait too long, the caramel hardens and sticks.

Think of it like pulling off a plaster quick and decisive is the best way!

My caramel turned out too hard. What did I do wrong with this Pecan Upside Down Cake: 7 recipe?

A hard caramel usually means it was cooked for too long or at too high a temperature. Make sure you’re using medium heat and stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth, as directed in step 2. Also, ensure you are using the correct amount of water in the caramel.

Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be disheartened even Paul Hollywood has the odd baking blunder!

Can I substitute the pecans in this Pecan Upside Down Cake: 7 with other nuts or fruit?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds are excellent substitutes for pecans, though they will give a slightly different flavour profile. For a fruit based twist, try sliced apples or pears. Ensure any fruit you use is relatively firm, so it doesn't become mushy during baking. Get creative it's your kitchen, your rules!

How should I store leftover Pecan Upside Down Cake: 7?

To keep your Pecan Upside Down Cake fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. You can also refrigerate it to extend its shelf life to about 5 days. However, bear in mind that refrigeration can slightly dry out the cake, so wrapping it well is vital.

A quick zap in the microwave will restore some of that delicious warmth and moisture when you're ready to enjoy a slice!

Is there a way to make this Pecan Upside Down Cake: 7 recipe a little healthier?

You can reduce the sugar by a small amount (around ¼ cup) without drastically affecting the texture. Substituting some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour can also add fiber. Finally, you could reduce the butter by 2 tablespoons and replace it with unsweetened applesauce.

Just remember, baking is a science, so any major alterations might affect the final outcome. Everything in moderation, as they say!

Can I make this Pecan Upside Down Cake: 7 ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the caramel pecan layer ahead of time. Assemble the caramel and pecans in the pan, cover tightly, and store at room temperature for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, prepare the cake batter and proceed with the recipe.

This is a great way to split the workload and impress your friends with your baking wizardry, even if you've had a little help from pre-planning!