Butter Pecan Layer Cake

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling

Makes

16 pieces

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
Pecans and butter give this cake the same irresistible flavor as the popular butter pecan ice cream flavor. —Becky Miller, Tallahassee, Florida

Ingredients

  • 2-2/3 cups chopped pecans
  • 1-1/4 cups butter, softened, divided
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • FROSTING:
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 8 to 8-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 can (5 ounces) evaporated milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Place pecans and 1/4 cup butter in a baking pan. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently; set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, cream sugar and remaining butter until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Stir in 1-1/3 cups of toasted pecans.
  3. Pour into 3 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
  4. For frosting, cream butter and confectioners' sugar in a large bowl. Add milk and vanilla; beat until smooth. Stir in remaining toasted pecans. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake.

Test Kitchen Tips
  • Chocolate lover? Take this over the top by drizzling with chocolate sauce or hot fudge.
  • Pecans have a higher fat content than other nuts, so they’re more prone to going rancid. They’ll stay fresh for twice as long in the freezer as they would at room temperature.
  • Check out these rich, decadent pecan desserts.
  • Nutrition Facts

    1 piece: 814 calories, 42g fat (19g saturated fat), 120mg cholesterol, 375mg sodium, 107g carbohydrate (86g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.