butter pecan pound cake

Preston, GA
Updated on Oct 22, 2025

This Butter Pecan Pound Cake Recipe is an original recipe created in my home kitchen by me. The cake was tested and approved by me and taste tested by my co-workers and approved.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

This is a decadent pound cake recipe with a wonderful pecan flavor thanks to the ground toasted pecans mixed in the batter. What makes this pound cake extra good is poking holes in the warm cake and pouring a rich butter glaze on top. The smell of the glaze alone is amazing. Make sure to pour the glaze slowly so it gets down into all the holes. That rich glaze soaks into the cake making this the ultimate treat. A delicious breakfast treat or it will go great after dinner with a cup of tea.

prep time 30 Min
cook time 1 Hr 10 Min
method Bake
yield 8-12 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 3 sticks butter, room temperature
  • 2 1/4 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 5 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3 cups flour, plain, all-purpose
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 cups pecan halves, lightly toasted
  • GLAZE
  • 1 stick butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

How To Make butter pecan pound cake

  • Cake pan greased and floured.
    Step 1
    Preheat oven to 325. Generously grease (I use Crisco) and flour and an angel food cake or similar type pan (this will rise and fill the pan nicely). Set aside.
  • Toasting the pecans.
    Step 2
    In a non-stick skillet, using 2 tablespoons of butter, lightly toast the pecan halves, stirring constantly until they begin to release their aroma. Or if oven toasting works for you, as long as they are toasted, allow to cool a few minutes.
  • Flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda into a bowl.
    Step 3
    Measure flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda into a bowl; whisk to blend. Set aside.
  • Sugar and firmly packed brown sugar mixed in a bowl.
    Step 4
    Measure sugar and firmly packed brown sugar into a bowl. Mix well to incorporate both sugars. Set aside.
  • Eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla in seperate bowls.
    Step 5
    Crack eggs into one bowl, set aside. Measure buttermilk; set aside. Measure vanilla extract; set aside.
  • Grinding the pecans.
    Step 6
    Grind the toasted pecans to a fine grind; set aside.
  • Butter, sugar, and eggs mixed together.
    Step 7
    I use a stand mixer, but if you don't have one, use a large mixing bowl and hand mixer. Put butter, sugar, and eggs into mixer bowl. Mix about 10 seconds just to break eggs and begin to stir the butter and sugar, it will not look mixed.
  • Adding flour to the batter.
    Step 8
    Now add the flour mixture and begin mixing on low.
  • Adding buttermilk to the batter.
    Step 9
    Slowly add the buttermilk, beat about 30 seconds.
  • Adding vanilla extract to the batter.
    Step 10
    Add vanilla, mix for 3 minutes on medium speed.
  • Mixing in the pecans.
    Step 11
    Reduce to low speed and add the nuts. Mix about 30 seconds, then remove from stand and clean beater. Mix by hand to fully incorporate the nuts into the batter, about 1 minute using a folding method of stirring.
  • Batter poured into the cake pan.
    Step 12
    Gently pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Set onto the oven rack and allow to bake for 65 to 75 minutes. At approx. 65 minutes, check the first time using a cake tester or toothpick. Cake is done when tester comes out clean. Top of cake should have a nice golden brown appearance.
  • Preparing the glaze.
    Step 13
    When done, remove cake from oven and place on a cooling rack. DO NOT REMOVE FROM PAN. Make the glaze. Add to a small pot, the glaze ingredients except the vanilla. On medium low temperature, heat to melt sugar but DO NOT allow it to boil. Stir in vanilla.
  • Poking holes into the cake.
    Step 14
    Using a wooden skewer or similar object, poke holes all over cake.
  • Pouring glaze over the cake.
    Step 15
    Mix the glaze well and gently pour over entire cake allowing it to absorb into the cake top.
  • Letting the cake cool in the pan.
    Step 16
    Let cool in pan, turn out onto a plate. If desired, flip again so cake top is up. It's prettier this way.

Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)
calories: 1187kcal, carbohydrates: 136g, cholesterol: 241mg, fat: 68g, fiber: 4g, protein: 13g, saturated fat: 32g, sodium: 859mg, sugar: 98g, unsaturated fat: 34g
*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

Discover More

Category: Cakes
Keyword: #butter
Keyword: #pecan
Keyword: #Pound Cake
Collection: Fall Food
Collection: Holiday Baking
Collection: Winter Recipes
Method: Bake
Culture: Southern
Ingredient: Nuts

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