The Best Pecan Pie Snack Cake Recipe for Sweet Tooth Moments

Crafting a delightful pecan pie snack cake brings pure comfort to your kitchen adventures.

Sweet aromas will dance through your home as layers of nutty goodness emerge.

Memories of grandmother’s classic desserts inspire this modern twist on a beloved Southern classic.

Soft crumbles and caramelized pecans create a magical texture that melts effortlessly.

Ingredients come together with surprising simplicity, promising a treat that looks complicated but feels wonderfully approachable.

Each slice tells a story of warmth and indulgence.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this delectable creation.

Pecan Pie Snack Cake Essentials

• Enjoy as a quick breakfast, afternoon treat, or dessert after dinner, fitting seamlessly into any mealtime.
• Swap pecans for different nuts or add chocolate chips to create a personalized twist on this classic recipe.
• Minimal ingredients and simple preparation mean you can satisfy sweet cravings in under an hour, delighting everyone from kids to adults.

Ingredients for Pecan Pie Snack Cake

• Flour: The primary structure and texture builder for the snack cake.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep, rich sweetness and moisture to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds additional sweetness and helps with cake texture.

• Melted Butter: Creates a rich, tender crumb and adds luxurious flavor.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor and adds aromatic depth.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, soft texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the overall flavor profile.
• Pecans: Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the snack cake.

How to Prepare Pecan Pie Snack Cake

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350F (175C).

Grab your 8×8-inch baking pan and give it a generous coating of grease to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create Your Dry Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients together until they’re perfectly blended and look like a smooth, sandy mixture.

Step 3: Blend The Wet Ingredients

• Melted butter
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Whisk these until they’re well incorporated and look silky smooth.

Step 4: Marry The Mixtures

Pour your wet ingredients into the dry mixture.

Stir gently until everything just comes together – don’t overmix!

Fold in some chopped pecans for that irresistible nutty crunch.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan.

Slide it into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Step 6: Cool And Devour

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes.

Cut into squares and serve.

Enjoy it warm or at room temperature – either way, it’s a total crowd-pleaser!

Best Tips for Pecan Pie Snack Cake

• Stir the batter gently until ingredients are just combined to keep the cake tender and avoid a tough texture.
• Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex taste profile.
• Use the toothpick test by inserting it into the center; a few moist crumbs are okay, but it should not be wet with raw batter.
• Add a simple glaze of powdered sugar mixed with milk or a caramel drizzle to elevate the cake's sweetness and presentation.

Keeping Pecan Pie Snack Cake Fresh

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping it fresh and moist.
• Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
• Keep cake covered at room temperature for 1-2 days if planning to eat soon, ensuring it stays soft and delicious.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or reheat in a preheated 300F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore its just-baked warmth and texture.

Pairing Picks for Pecan Pie Snack Cake

• Pair Sweet Bourbon Whiskey: Complement the rich, nutty pecan flavors with a smooth bourbon like Maker's Mark, enhancing the cake's warm, caramel-like undertones.
• Elevate with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Top the warm snack cake with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful contrast between hot and cold textures.
• Match Cinnamon Spiced Coffee: Brew a steaming cup of cinnamon-infused coffee to highlight the cake's warm spices and provide a comforting, aromatic companion.
• Drizzle Maple Caramel Sauce: Add a luxurious maple caramel sauce over the cake, intensifying the pecan's natural sweetness and creating a decadent dessert experience.

Fun Spins on Pecan Pie Snack Cake

• Gluten-Free Pecan Pie Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free baking mix for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Pecan Delight: Swap eggs with flax eggs and use coconut oil instead of butter for a plant-based alternative.
• Keto-Friendly Pecan Cake: Substitute sugar with erythritol or stevia, use almond flour, and add extra pecans to lower carbohydrate content.
• Low-Sugar Pecan Treat: Reduce sugar quantity by half and incorporate sugar-free maple syrup for a healthier option with less sweetness.

FAQs

• How do pecans enhance the flavor of this snack cake?

Pecans add a rich, buttery crunch and nutty depth to the cake, creating a more complex and satisfying texture that complements the sweet, tender cake base.

• Can I use different types of nuts in this recipe?

While pecans are traditional, you can substitute walnuts or almonds for a similar nutty profile, though the flavor and texture will vary slightly from the original recipe.

• Is this cake considered a dessert or a snack?

This versatile pecan pie snack cake works perfectly as both a dessert and a snack, making it ideal for breakfast, afternoon treat, or after-dinner sweet bite.

• How moist is this cake compared to traditional pecan pie?

Unlike traditional pecan pie, this cake is more tender and cake-like, with a softer crumb that still captures the essence of pecan pie’s rich, sweet flavor profile.

Pecan Pie Snack Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Delightful pecan pie snack cake bridges classic dessert comfort with modern snacking ease. Rich nutty layers merge traditional pie flavors into a convenient, shareable cake perfect for sweet moments with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Sugar:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Seasonings and Leavening:

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly integrate the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt using a whisk until completely uniform.
3. Create a separate mixing vessel and vigorously combine the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture appears smooth and well-blended.
4. Gradually pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredient mixture, stirring gently with a spatula until just incorporated; avoid overmixing to maintain the cake’s tender texture.
5. Carefully fold the chopped pecans into the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
6. Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly and create a level surface.
7. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean and the top develops a golden-brown appearance.
8. Remove from the oven and let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, allowing it to set and cool slightly before slicing into squares.
9. Serve warm or at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture, enjoying the rich pecan-infused dessert.

Notes

• Check pecan freshness by giving them a quick toast before adding to enhance nutty flavor and remove any potential staleness.
• Substitute gluten-free flour blend for traditional flour to make this cake celiac-friendly without compromising texture.
• Reduce sugar by 25% and use alternative sweeteners like maple syrup or honey for a healthier version that maintains rich caramel undertones.
• Use room temperature eggs and butter to ensure smoother batter integration and more consistent cake rise during baking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg