Description
Creamy Southern pecan upside down cake delivers rich caramel notes dancing with buttery pecans atop a delicate golden cake. Sweet southern hospitality melts into each delightful slice you’ll savor with pure comfort and culinary joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
Topping Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113 grams) butter, melted
- 1 cup (220 grams) light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) pecan halves
Instructions
- Warm the cooking chamber to 350°F (175°C), positioning the rack in the middle to guarantee uniform heat distribution.
- Coat a bundt or square baking vessel thoroughly with nonstick spray or butter, potentially lining the bottom with parchment paper for seamless cake removal.
- Craft the cake foundation by amalgamating yellow cake mix, vanilla pudding powder, eggs, vegetable oil, and water in a capacious mixing bowl.
- Employ an electric mixer to whip the ingredients into a silky, homogeneous mixture, blending for approximately 2-3 minutes until no lumps remain.
- Generate the pecan foundation by lavishly drizzling melted butter across the pan’s base, followed by an even sprinkle of brown sugar.
- Meticulously arrange pecan halves atop the sugar layer, creating an aesthetically pleasing pattern that covers the entire surface.
- Delicately cascade the prepared batter over the nutty base, utilizing a spatula to distribute evenly without disrupting the pecan arrangement.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated cooking chamber, baking for 45 minutes in a bundt pan or 35 minutes in a square pan.
- Validate cake doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—a clean extraction indicates complete cooking.
- Allow the cake to rest within the pan for 10-15 minutes, promoting initial cooling and structural stability.
- Position a serving plate atop the pan and swiftly invert, gently removing the baking vessel to reveal the caramelized pecan topping.
- Rescue any adhered pecans by carefully repositioning them onto the cake’s surface.
- Permit the cake to cool completely before slicing, enhancing flavor development and structural integrity.
- Present unadorned or accompanied by whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent finale.
Notes
- Prevent Sticking: Generously grease the pan and use parchment paper to ensure the cake releases smoothly without losing the beautiful pecan topping.
- Temperature Precision: Use room temperature eggs and ingredients to create a more uniform batter that blends seamlessly and bakes evenly.
- Pecan Placement: Arrange pecans carefully before pouring batter to create an attractive, professional-looking caramelized design when inverted.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap the yellow cake mix for a gluten-free alternative and use gluten-free pudding mix to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg