The Best Irresistible Butter Pound Cake Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Baking the most irresistible butter pound cake recipe brings pure comfort and nostalgia to any kitchen.

Decadent and rich, this classic dessert melts in your mouth with every delightful bite.

Generations of home bakers have treasured this simple yet elegant treat.

Soft, velvety layers promise a sweet experience that warms the heart.

The golden-brown crust hints at the tender crumb waiting inside.

Each slice delivers a perfect balance of buttery sweetness and delicate texture.

You’ll fall in love with this timeless cake that turns an ordinary moment into something truly special.

Butter Pecan Pound Cake: Crowd-Pleaser Points

• Elevate your baking game with a rich, buttery pound cake that celebrates the deep, toasty flavors of pecans in every single bite.
• Learn a sophisticated baking method that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dessert, guaranteed to wow friends and family.
• Perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or special occasions where you want a show-stopping dessert that's both comforting and elegant.
• Experience the joy of baking from scratch, filling your kitchen with warm, inviting aromas of butter, pecans, and sweet vanilla.

Must-Have Ingredients for Butter Pecan Cake

• Butter: The primary fat that provides rich flavor and tender texture to the pound cake.
• Pecans: Adds nutty depth and signature taste to the cake, toasted for enhanced flavor.
• Eggs: Provide structure, moisture, and help bind the cake ingredients together.
• Cake Flour: Creates a soft, delicate crumb with its lower protein content.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Contribute sweetness and help create a moist, tender cake with caramel-like undertones.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet aromatic flavor to the cake.
• Baking Powder, Salt: Provide leavening and balance the cake's overall flavor.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a smooth, rich base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve the right frosting consistency.
• Southern Butter Pecan Coffee Creamer: Optional ingredient that adds extra flavor to the frosting.

Pound Cake Baking Gear & Tools

• Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to fluffy perfection and mixing batter smoothly.
• Food Processor: Perfect for grinding toasted pecans into fine, even crumbs.
• 10-inch Tube Pan or Bundt Pan: Crucial for shaping the cake and ensuring even baking.
• Sifter: Helps evenly distribute dry ingredients and prevent lumps in the cake.
• Medium Skillet: Great for toasting pecans and developing rich, nutty flavors.
• Medium Bowl: Ideal for mixing frosting ingredients and creating a smooth cream cheese topping.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing for moist crumbs.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottom.

How to Bake a Butter Pecan Pound Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 325F (165C) to create the perfect baking environment for this delectable cake.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Vessel

Generously coat a 10-inch tube or Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray, then dust lightly with flour to ensure easy cake removal.

Step 3: Create Toasted Pecan Magic

• Butter
• Pecans

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.

Gently toss in pecans and toast them until they release a nutty aroma, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 4: Transform Pecans into Powder

Pulse the toasted pecans in a food processor until they become a fine, fragrant powder.

Set aside this golden treasure.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients

Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl, creating a light and airy mixture.

Step 6: Whip Up Butter and Sugar

Use a stand mixer to cream butter and sugars (both granulated and brown) until the mixture becomes impossibly fluffy and pale, about 10 minutes.

Step 7: Incorporate Eggs

Gently add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth, silky batter.

Step 8: Splash of Flavor

Pour in vanilla extract and blend until completely incorporated.

Step 9: Marry Flour and Pecans

Alternately add flour mixture and ground pecans to the batter, starting and ending with flour.

Mix until just combined.

Step 10: Fill the Pan

Carefully transfer the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 11: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 75-90 minutes.

Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 12: Craft Dreamy Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Southern Butter Pecan Coffee Creamer (optional)

Blend cream cheese and butter until smooth.

Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly.

Stir in vanilla and creamer if desired, adjusting consistency as needed.

Step 13: Dress the Cake

Once the cake has completely cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting over the entire surface.

Step 14: Final Flourish

Sprinkle chopped pecans around the cake’s edges for a stunning and delicious finish.

Tricks for Moist, Rich Pound Cake

• Stir continuously while toasting pecans to prevent burning and achieve a rich, nutty flavor without bitterness.
• Use the toothpick test at 75 minutes, looking for a few moist crumbs to ensure a perfectly moist pound cake without overcooking.
• Beat butter and sugars for the full 10 minutes to create maximum air incorporation, resulting in a lighter, more tender cake texture.
• Ensure eggs, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better ingredient integration.
• Generously spray pan with nonstick cooking spray and dust with flour to guarantee easy cake removal without breaking.

Pound Cake Variations to Try

• Gluten-Free Pecan Pound Cake: Replace cake flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring the same rich texture and nutty flavor.
• Vegan Pecan Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use plant-based cream cheese for frosting to create a dairy-free version.
• Low-Sugar Pecan Cake: Use alternative sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the cake's delectable taste.
• Nut-Free Alternative: Swap pecans with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies, preserving the cake's unique crunch and flavor profile.

Serving Butter Pecan Cake Elegantly

• Cozy Coffee Companion: Serve warm slices alongside a steaming mug of pecan-flavored coffee for a comforting dessert experience.
• Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange cake slices on a beautiful serving plate with fresh berries and a light dusting of powdered sugar for a sophisticated presentation.
• Ice Cream Indulgence: Top a slice with a scoop of vanilla bean or butter pecan ice cream for a decadent and creamy dessert that elevates the cake's rich flavors.
• Holiday Centerpiece: Showcase the cake as a stunning centerpiece during family gatherings, cutting generous slices for everyone to enjoy its nutty, buttery goodness.

Storing Leftover Pound Cake Properly

• Store the cake in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining its moisture and freshness.
• Wrap the unfrosted cake completely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and serving.
• Cut individual slices, wrap each separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before enjoying.

FAQs

• What makes the pecans so special in this recipe?

The pecans are carefully toasted in butter and then ground, which releases their rich, deep flavor and creates a nutty texture throughout the cake.

• Can I use a different type of pan if I don't have a tube or Bundt pan?

Yes, you can use a 10-inch round cake pan or a 9×13 inch rectangular pan, but you’ll need to adjust baking time and watch carefully for doneness.

• Is it necessary to sift the dry ingredients?

Sifting is crucial for this recipe as it helps remove lumps, ensures even distribution of baking powder and salt, and creates a more tender, lighter cake texture.

Irresistible Butter Pound Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Classic butter pound cake beckons with rich, velvety layers of comfort from Southern kitchens. Buttery crumb and delicate sweetness invite bakers to savor each tender slice with pure culinary joy.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 2 cups pecans
• 3 sticks (24 tablespoons / 340 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 5 large eggs, at room temperature
• 3 cups cake flour
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons (42 grams) butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2–4 tablespoons Southern Butter Pecan Coffee Creamer (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C), ensuring precise temperature for optimal baking results.
2. Prepare a 10-inch tube or Bundt pan by generously spraying with nonstick cooking spray and dusting lightly with flour to prevent sticking.
3. Toast pecans in melted butter over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes, stirring continuously to achieve a golden, fragrant finish without burning.
4. Transfer toasted pecans to a food processor and pulse until finely ground, creating a rich, nutty powder for the cake batter.
5. Sift cake flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl, ensuring a smooth, lump-free dry ingredient mixture.
6. Cream butter and both sugars in a stand mixer for 10 minutes, creating a light, fluffy base that incorporates air for a tender cake texture.
7. Incorporate eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain a smooth, consistent batter.
8. Blend in vanilla extract, distributing the flavor evenly throughout the mixture.
9. Gradually fold in flour mixture and ground pecans, alternating between the two and ending with flour to maintain optimal batter consistency.
10. Transfer batter to the prepared pan, spreading evenly to ensure uniform baking.
11. Bake for 75-90 minutes, checking doneness at 75 minutes by inserting a toothpick – it should emerge with minimal crumbs.
12. Prepare cream cheese frosting by blending softened cream cheese and butter until smooth, gradually incorporating powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
13. Allow cake to cool completely before applying frosting, spreading evenly across the surface.
14. Optionally garnish cake edges with chopped pecans for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Toast pecans carefully to enhance their nutty flavor without burning, creating a rich, deep taste that elevates the entire cake’s profile.
• Cream butter and sugar thoroughly for a full 10 minutes to ensure an ultra-light, fluffy texture that makes this pound cake melt in your mouth.
• Use room temperature eggs and butter to guarantee smooth incorporation and prevent lumpy batter, resulting in a more consistent cake texture.
• Adjust baking time based on your specific oven, checking at 75 minutes with a toothpick test to prevent over-baking and maintain moisture.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg