Introduction
Oh, friends, gather ’round! Do you remember those warm, cozy afternoons spent in grandma’s kitchen, the air thick with the sweet scent of baking? This Southern Pecan Praline Cake takes me right back there, and I just know it’s going to become a cherished memory in your home too. It’s the kind of dessert that whispers sweet Southern comfort with every bite, and the best part? It’s incredibly simple to whip up!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, you can have this on the table in under an hour!
- Easy: Perfect for beginners or when you need a no-fuss treat.
- Giftable: Wrap it up and share the love – it makes a beautiful present!
- Crowd-pleasing: From potlucks to family dinners, everyone goes absolutely wild for this cake.
Ingredients
We’re keeping this super simple, just like all the best Southern recipes. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 box butter pecan cake mix: This is our secret weapon for that delicious nutty flavor.
- 1 cup milk: Whole milk will give you the richest result, but any milk works!
- ½ cup oil: Vegetable oil, canola oil, or even melted coconut oil will do.
- 3 eggs: The binder that makes our cake wonderfully fluffy.
- ½ cup chopped pecans: For that irresistible praline crunch and flavor. Toast them lightly for an extra kick!
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk: This is the magic ingredient for our luscious praline sauce.
- ¼ cup unsalted butter: The base of our buttery, caramel-like sauce.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get our aprons on and create some magic in the kitchen. It’s easier than you think!
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This step is crucial to prevent our beautiful cake from sticking!
- In a nice big bowl, grab your cake mix, milk, oil, and eggs. You can use an electric mixer or a whisk – whatever you have on hand. Beat everything together on medium speed for about 2 minutes. You want it to be nice and smooth, with no lumps.
- Now, gently stir in those lovely chopped pecans. Get them all mixed in so you get a little pecan surprise in every bite.
- Pour that gorgeous batter into your prepared baking pan. Spread it out evenly with a spatula so it bakes up nice and flat.
- Time for the praline sauce! In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Oh, that smell already!
- Once the butter is melted, stir in the sweetened condensed milk. Keep stirring gently.
- Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer, and let it cook for just 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. You’ll notice it starts to thicken up just a little, becoming that perfect pourable praline sauce.
- Now, this is the fun part! Carefully pour that warm praline sauce evenly all over the cake batter. Try to get it to cover as much of the surface as possible.
- Pop that pan into your preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Once it’s baked to perfection, let the cake cool right there in the pan. This is important for the praline sauce to set up nicely. Patience, my friends!
Substitutions & Additions
While this recipe is truly fantastic as is, there are always fun ways to make it your own!
- Nuts: Don’t have pecans? Walnuts are a wonderful substitute. You could even mix in some toasted almonds for a different flavor profile.
- Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or a dash of nutmeg added to the batter can really enhance the warm, cozy flavors.
- Frosting: If you’re feeling extra indulgent, a cream cheese frosting or a simple brown sugar glaze would be divine on this cake once it’s completely cooled.
- Extra Pecans: Sprinkle a few extra chopped pecans on top of the praline sauce just before baking for an even more intense pecan experience.
Tips for Success
A few little secrets to make your Southern Pecan Praline Cake absolutely perfect every time:
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing cake batter can lead to a tough cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Watch the Sauce: When making the praline sauce, keep a close eye on it. Sweetened condensed milk can go from perfect to burnt very quickly.
- Cooling is Key: Resist the urge to cut into it right away! Letting the cake cool in the pan allows the praline sauce to set and become wonderfully gooey and delicious.
- Prep Ahead: You can absolutely make the cake batter ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Just give it a good stir before pouring into the pan and adjust baking time slightly if needed. The praline sauce is best made fresh.
How to Store It
Leftovers are rare, but if you happen to have any, this cake stores beautifully.
Once completely cooled, you can cover the 9×13 inch pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container. It will keep at room temperature for about 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. It’s also wonderfully delicious slightly warmed!
FAQs
Let’s answer a couple of quick questions you might have:
Q: Can I use a different flavor cake mix?
A: Absolutely! While butter pecan is our favorite for this recipe, a yellow cake mix or even a spice cake mix would also work beautifully and give you a slightly different, but equally delicious, result.
Q: My praline sauce looks a bit thin, is that okay?
A: It’s normal for the sauce to thicken as it cools. As long as you cooked it for the recommended time, it should set up nicely. If it still seems too thin after cooling, don’t worry, it will still taste amazing!
Q: Can I make this in a different pan, like a bundt cake pan?
A: You can, but the praline sauce might not coat the cake as evenly. If you use a bundt pan, you’ll want to grease and flour it extremely well. Baking time might also need to be adjusted; check for doneness with a skewer.
Southern Pecan Praline Cake
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking pan Greased and floured
- Large bowl
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Spatula
- Small saucepan
- Wooden skewer or toothpick
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box butter pecan cake mix
- 1 cup milk Whole milk recommended
- 0.5 cup oil Vegetable, canola, or coconut oil
- 3 eggs
- 0.5 cup chopped pecans Lightly toasted for extra flavor
Praline Sauce Ingredients
- 0.5 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, beat cake mix, milk, oil, and eggs on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth.1 box butter pecan cake mix
- Gently stir in the chopped pecans.1 box butter pecan cake mix
- Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.1 box butter pecan cake mix
- Stir in sweetened condensed milk and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.1 box butter pecan cake mix
- Pour the warm praline sauce evenly over the cake batter.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan to allow the sauce to set.