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The Ultimate Upside-Down Georgia Pecan Cake Recipe

The Ultimate Upside-Down Georgia Pecan Cake Recipe


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4.9 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Luxurious Georgia Pecan Cake celebrates Southern baking traditions with rich caramel and buttery pecans. Sweet layers of Southern comfort promise a delightful dessert experience you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.


Ingredients

Scale

Pecan Topping:

  • 1 cup chopped pecans (or pecan halves)
  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cake Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Cake Wet Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven to 350F (175C) and set up a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper and grease.
  2. Create a luscious pecan base by whisking melted butter, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and salt into a smooth mixture. Distribute evenly across the pan’s bottom and generously scatter pecans across the surface.
  3. Craft the cake batter by combining dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in one bowl. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough blending after each addition.
  4. Gently fold vanilla extract into the butter mixture. Alternate adding dry ingredient mixture and buttermilk to the batter, mixing until just combined to maintain a light texture.
  5. Carefully pour the batter over the pecan layer, smoothing the surface with a spatula to ensure even distribution.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and dry.
  7. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 5-10 minutes, preventing caramel from solidifying completely. Carefully loosen edges with a knife.
  8. Invert the cake onto a serving plate in one confident motion, allowing the pecan topping to settle and create a stunning caramelized design.
  9. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a decadent caramel sauce drizzle.

Notes

  • Swap buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for a vegan-friendly version.
  • Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
  • Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to help achieve a smoother, more consistent cake batter that bakes evenly.
  • If the caramel topping becomes too sticky, briefly warm the inverted cake pan to help release the pecan layer smoothly.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 325 kcal
  • Sugar: 29 g
  • Sodium: 190 mg
  • Fat: 21 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg