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southern butter pecan layer cake slice with frosting and pecans

Southern Butter Pecan Layer Cake

A fluffy Southern vanilla layer cake with toasted pecans and creamy butter frosting. Perfect for holidays or Sunday dessert.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course: cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Cake
  • - 2 1/4 cups 280g cake flour
  • - 1 tbsp baking powder
  • - 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • - 1/2 tsp salt
  • - 1/2 cup butter
  • - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • - 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • - 4 large egg whites
  • - 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • - 1 cup buttermilk
  • - 1 cup chopped toasted pecans
  • Frosting
  • - 1 cup butter
  • - 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • - 1 tsp vanilla
  • - 2–3 tbsp heavy cream
  • - Pinch salt
  • - Extra pecans for garnish

Equipment

  • - 3× 8-inch cake pans
  • - Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • - Mixing bowls
  • - Measuring cups
  • - Cooling racks
  • - Rubber spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), grease and line 3 pans.
  2. Sift together dry ingredients.
  3. Beat butter, oil, and sugar until fluffy.
  4. Add egg whites, one at a time, then vanilla.
  5. Add dry mix and buttermilk alternately.
  6. Fold in toasted pecans.
  7. Divide into pans and bake 25–28 min.
  8. Cool on racks.
  9. Beat butter for frosting.
  10. Add sugar, cream, vanilla, salt; whip until fluffy.
  11. Layer and frost cake. Garnish with pecans.

Notes

- Use real buttermilk for best texture.
- Frosting can be chilled slightly before spreading.