Quick & Gooey Pecan Upside Down Cake Recipe Everyone Will Love

Pecan upside down cake upgrades ordinary dessert into an extraordinary culinary experience with its mesmerizing caramel-coated nutty landscape.

Southern bakers have long celebrated this decadent treat that marries rich, golden cake with crunchy, toasted pecans.

Caramelized nuts create a luxurious glaze that glistens with buttery warmth, promising an indulgent moment of pure satisfaction.

Every slice reveals a symphony of textures – soft, tender cake contrasting against the crisp, candied nut layer.

Such a stunning dessert elevates simple ingredients into a show-stopping centerpiece that sparks conversation and delights taste buds.

Guests will marvel at the intricate design and complex flavor profile that seems far more complicated than its straightforward preparation.

Your next gathering deserves this remarkable confection that blends comfort and elegance.

Why Pecan Upside Down Cake is a Southern Treasure

• Effortless Baking Brilliance: Whip up this pecan upside down cake with minimal effort using a simple cake mix and pudding mix, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Textural Taste Sensation: Experience a delightful contrast between the crunchy, caramelized pecans and the soft, moist cake base that creates a mouthwatering symphony of textures in every bite.
• Sweet Showstopper Dessert: Impress family and friends with a stunning presentation that transforms an ordinary cake into an extraordinary treat, ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or weekend dessert indulgences.

What Goes Into Pecan Upside Down Cake

• Yellow Cake Mix: Classic base for an easy and foolproof cake with consistent texture.
• Vanilla Pudding Mix: Adds moisture and extra richness to the cakes interior.
• Eggs: Provides structure and helps bind all ingredients together.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake remains moist and tender.
• Water: Helps blend ingredients and create smooth batter consistency.

• Butter: Creates a rich, golden layer at cakes bottom and helps caramelize sugar.
• Light Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel flavor and creates sticky sweet base.
• Pecans: Adds nutty crunch and texture, optional but highly recommended for extra flavor.

• Baking Spray: Ensures cake releases easily from pan without sticking.
• Toothpick: Used to test cakes doneness by checking for clean insertion.

How to Make a Gorgeous Pecan Upside Down Cake

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Tools

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Gather a large mixing bowl, electric mixer, bundt pan or square baking dish, and baking spray.

Step 2: Create Cake Batter

• Yellow cake mix
• Vanilla pudding mix
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Water

Mix with an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes until smooth and well blended.

Step 3: Prepare Pan Base

Spray the baking pan with baking spray. Pour melted butter evenly across the bottom of the pan.

Step 4: Add Caramel Pecan Layer

Sprinkle light brown sugar over the melted butter. Arrange pecans in a decorative pattern across the surface.

Step 5: Add Cake Batter

Gently pour the prepared cake batter over the pecan and sugar layer. Spread evenly to cover the entire base.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

• Bundt pan: 45 minutes
• Square/rectangular pan: 35 minutes

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Carefully flip onto a serving plate, tapping gently to release. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

Tips for a Golden, Gooey Pecan Upside Down Cake

• Butter Distribution: Spread melted butter evenly across the pan to create a perfect caramelized base that prevents sticking and adds rich flavor.
• Pecan Placement: Arrange pecans in a decorative pattern before adding batter to ensure a stunning presentation and even nut coverage.
• Moisture Magic: Adding vanilla pudding mix to the cake batter guarantees an incredibly moist and tender texture that stays fresh longer.
• Doneness Check: Always use the toothpick test – insert it into the center of the cake, and if it comes out clean, your cake is perfectly baked.
• Cooling Technique: Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting, which helps the caramel topping set and prevents breaking when removing from the pan.

Save and Reheat Your Pecan Upside Down Cake the Right Way

• Refrigeration: Store leftover pecan upside down cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain its delicious texture.
• Freezing: Carefully wrap individual slices or the entire cake in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake will stay fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore softness. For best results, use the oven by preheating to 300°F and warming the cake slice for 5-7 minutes. Add a small pat of butter on top to revive its rich, moist flavor and keep the pecans crisp.

What Complements Pecan Upside Down Cake Beautifully

• Pair with Caramel Bourbon Cocktail: A smooth bourbon mixed with caramel syrup perfectly complements the rich pecan and brown sugar flavors, creating a decadent dessert experience that enhances the cake's warmth and sweetness.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm, nutty cake, melting gently over each slice and adding a luxurious texture that balances the dessert's richness.
• Match with Cinnamon Coffee: A hot cup of freshly brewed coffee with a hint of cinnamon will beautifully highlight the cake's nutty undertones, cutting through the sweetness and offering a comforting, aromatic pairing that elevates the entire dessert moment.
• Accompany with Spiced Chai Latte: The complex, warming spices in a chai latte like cardamom, ginger, and cloves will wonderfully echo the cake's deep caramel and pecan notes, creating a harmonious and indulgent flavor combination.

Easy Twists on Classic Pecan Upside Down Cake

• Caramel Pecan Paradise: Drizzle rich caramel sauce over the cake after inverting, adding extra depth and sweetness to the classic recipe.
• Chocolate Pecan Indulgence: Mix in cocoa powder to the cake batter and sprinkle dark chocolate chips alongside the pecans for a decadent upgrade.
• Maple Pecan Celebration: Replace some water with pure maple syrup and dust the top with maple-glazed pecans for a rich, autumnal flavor profile.
• Spiced Pecan Warmth: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of ginger into the cake batter to create a warming, aromatic version of the original dessert.

Pecan Upside Down Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Pecan upside down cake brings Southern charm to dessert tables with its caramelized nutty base and rich, tender crumb. Sweet pecans nestled in buttery caramel create a luxurious topping that melts in your mouth, making you crave another slice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup oil
• 1 package instant vanilla pudding

Topping Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter (melted)
• Light brown sugar (enough to cover the bottom of the pan)
• Pecan halves (arrange in a pretty pattern if you want)

Conversion Notes:

• ½ cup = 120 milliliters
• ½ cup butter = 113 grams

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack in the center of the oven.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine yellow cake mix, vanilla pudding mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the batter becomes smooth and fully incorporated.
3. Generously coat a 9-inch bundt pan or 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick baking spray, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Melt unsalted butter and pour it evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a rich base layer.
5. Evenly distribute light brown sugar over the melted butter, creating a caramel-like foundation.
6. Carefully arrange pecan halves in a decorative pattern across the sugar-butter layer, covering the entire surface.
7. Gently pour the prepared cake batter over the pecan and sugar layer, using a spatula to spread it evenly and prevent disturbing the bottom layer.
8. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes for a bundt pan, or 35-40 minutes for a rectangular dish. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes, which helps the caramel layer set slightly.
10. Carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate, tapping the pan gently to release any stuck pecans. Let the cake cool completely for about 1 hour before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Capture the essence of Southern baking with this showstopping dessert that transforms a simple cake mix into a decadent treat.
• Melted butter creates a caramelized foundation that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Carefully arranged pecans add a delightful crunch and nutty richness that elevates the entire dessert from good to absolutely irresistible.
• Brown sugar melds with butter to create a sticky, gooey topping that becomes a magical caramel-like coating when the cake is flipped.
• Electric mixer ensures a smooth, lump-free batter that guarantees a tender and moist cake every single time.
• Cooling in the pan allows the caramel topping to set perfectly, ensuring each slice releases cleanly and looks picture-perfect.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300 kcal
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: <1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 70mg