There’s a special charm to Southern desserts, and the Southern Pecan Praline Cake is a perfect example. It’s a dessert that feels like a warm hug from the South, combining the rich nuttiness of pecans with the buttery sweetness of pralines. The cake is moist, decadent, and topped with a luscious praline glaze that seeps into every bite. This isn’t just a cake; it’s a celebration of flavor and tradition.
The first time I made this cake was for a family reunion. I wanted something that would bring everyone to the table, and it did just that. Watching the glaze drip over the golden cake and hearing the “oohs” and “ahhs” as everyone took their first bite made it unforgettable. Let’s recreate this magic and bake a little Southern hospitality into every slice.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box butter pecan cake mix
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup sour cream
For the Praline Glaze:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans (for topping)
Ingredients
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Make the Cake Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter pecan cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, water, and sour cream. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and well combined (about 2 minutes).
- Fold in the chopped pecans.
- Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Praline Glaze:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle boil and let simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Pour the warm praline glaze over the cooled cake, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans on top.
- Serve:
- Let the glaze set for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Serve and enjoy!
