A Rich, Buttery Cake Drenched in Warm Pecan-Caramel Sauce—Pure Southern Comfort!
This Pecan Praline Bundt Cake is the ultimate decadent dessert, featuring a moist butter-pecan cake studded with toasted pecans, all smothered in a luscious sweetened condensed milk butter sauce. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or when you crave something indulgent!
📝 Ingredients Breakdown
For the Cake:
- 1 box butter-pecan cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 1 can (16 oz) coconut-pecan frosting (yes, straight from the can!)
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup chopped pecans
For the Butter Sauce:
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup chopped pecans
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions (With Pro Tips!)
1️⃣ Prep & Preheat
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan (or Bundt pan for a fancier look).
📌 Pro Tip:
- For Bundt pans, use baking spray with flour to prevent sticking.
2️⃣ Make the Cake Batter
- In a large bowl, mix cake mix, frosting, eggs, oil, and water until smooth.
- Fold in ½ cup chopped pecans.
📌 Pro Tip:
- Toast pecans first for deeper flavor (350°F for 5–7 mins).
3️⃣ Bake to Perfection
- Pour batter into pan and bake 35–40 mins (toothpick should come out clean).
- Cool 10 mins before saucing.
📌 Pro Tip:
- Don’t overbake—cake continues cooking as it cools!
4️⃣ Make the Butter Sauce
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in sweetened condensed milk until warm and smooth.
- Remove from heat and mix in ½ cup pecans.
📌 Pro Tip:
- Keep sauce warm—it thickens as it cools.
5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
- Drizzle warm sauce over cake slices.
- Top with vanilla ice cream for extra decadence!
📌 Serving Suggestion:
- Garnish with whipped cream & caramel drizzle.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use homemade frosting?
✅ Yes! Replace with 1½ cups homemade cream cheese frosting + ½ cup toasted coconut.
2. Why did my cake sink?
- Underbaked (check with a toothpick).
- Overmixed batter (just blend until combined).
3. Can I make this ahead?
✅ Yes! Bake cake 1 day ahead (store covered). Reheat sauce before serving.
4. How do I store leftovers?
- Room temp: Up to 2 days (cover loosely).
- Fridge: Up to 5 days (reheat slices in microwave).
5. Can I use evaporated milk instead?
⚠️ No! Sweetened condensed milk is thicker and sweeter.
🔥 Flavor Variations
- Chocolate-Pecan: Add ½ cup chocolate chips to batter.
- Bourbon Caramel: Spike sauce with 1 tbsp bourbon.
- Coconut Lovers: Use toasted coconut flakes instead of pecans.
⏱️ Time-Saving Tips
✔ Use pre-chopped pecans.
✔ Make sauce while cake bakes.
🍽 Serving Occasions
- Thanksgiving dessert
- Southern potlucks
- Sunday family dinner
💬 Final Thoughts
This Pecan Praline Cake is rich, nutty, and dripping with buttery sweetness—like a slice of Southern hospitality! The frosting-in-the-batter trick makes it unbelievably moist, while the warm pecan sauce takes it over the top.
Warning: You’ll be asked to bring this to every gathering! 😉🍰
Tried it? Share your pics below! 📸👇
