Sweet Southern Georgia Pecan Cake Recipe: A Taste of Sunshine

Baking a delightful Southern Georgia pecan cake becomes an adventure of sweet, nutty memories.

My grandmother’s cherished recipe whispers stories from her kitchen.

Crisp pecans add a delicate crunch that dances across each tender bite.

Southern kitchens hold magic in their carefully crafted desserts.

Warm spices and rich butter create a comforting embrace of flavor.

Family gatherings always feel more special with this remarkable cake on the table.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this traditional Southern delight.

Southern Georgia Pecan Cake Recipe Highlights

• Dive into a classic Southern dessert that brings warmth and nostalgia with every bite, capturing the essence of traditional Georgia baking.
• Perfect for both novice and experienced bakers, this recipe offers simple steps that guarantee a delicious, professional-looking cake without complicated methods.
• Ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, birthdays, or just a sweet weekend treat that will impress everyone with its rich, nutty flavor and beautiful presentation.
• Enjoy the option to toast pecans, which adds a deeper, more complex taste and creates a delightful crunch that elevates the entire cake experience.

What Goes Into Southern Georgia Pecan Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that provides structure for the Southern Georgia Pecan Cake.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and enhance its flavor.

• Butter: Adds richness and creates a tender cake texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with the cake's caramelization.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Offers a warm, classic flavor to the cake.
• Sour Cream, Milk: Provide moisture and help create a soft, tender crumb.

• Pecans: A signature Southern ingredient that adds a rich, toasted flavor and delightful crunch to the cake.

• Powdered Sugar, Butter, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Combine to create a smooth, creamy frosting that complements the pecan cake.

How to Make Southern Georgia Pecan Cake

Step 1: Roast Nutty Goodness

Heat a dry skillet over medium temperature.

Toss chopped pecans into the pan and stir continuously for 3-5 minutes until they develop a golden brown color and release a rich, toasty aroma.

Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Step 2: Prepare Cake Batter

Warm the oven to 350°F.

Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and dust with flour.

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

• Butter
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Sour cream
• Milk

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Stir in vanilla extract.

Gradually incorporate dry ingredients, alternating with sour cream and milk.

Gently fold in the toasted pecans until evenly distributed.

Step 3: Bake the Cake

Divide batter equally between prepared pans.

Slide into preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

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

Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 4: Whip Up Creamy Frosting

Blend powdered sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth and spreadable.

Step 5: Assemble and Decorate

Generously spread frosting over cooled cake layers.

Sprinkle additional chopped pecans on top for a delightful crunch and elegant finish.

Tips for the Best Southern Georgia Pecan Cake

• Use a dry, clean skillet and stir constantly to prevent burning, watching for a golden-brown color that releases a rich, nutty aroma.
• Generously grease cake pans and dust with flour, or use parchment paper circles for guaranteed easy cake removal.
• Cream butter and sugar thoroughly until light and pale, which incorporates air and creates a softer cake crumb.
• Add sour cream and milk gradually to maintain cake's tenderness and prevent overmixing, which can create a dense, tough texture.
• Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a smooth, even layer of creamy goodness.

Storing Southern Georgia Pecan Cake the Easy Way

• Store the frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Wrap the entire unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and frost before serving.
• Keep individual cake slices in sealed containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Place wax paper between slices to prevent sticking.
• Warm refrigerated cake slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power. For best texture, let the cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore softness.

Southern Georgia Pecan Cake Serving Matches

• Elevate Pecan Cake with Perfect Pairings
• Brew Smooth Southern Coffee: Rich, dark roast coffee balances the cake's sweetness, highlighting the nutty pecan flavor with its robust warmth.
• Pair with Bourbon Cream: Smooth Kentucky bourbon creates a delightful complement, enhancing the cake's Southern charm and adding a subtle caramel undertone.
• Serve Alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, dense cake, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: Golden, buttery caramel sauce adds an extra layer of indulgence, intensifying the cake's richness and bringing out the toasted pecan notes.

Flavor Twists on Southern Georgia Pecan Cake

• Gluten-Free Pecan Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the cake's rich pecan flavor and tender texture.
• Vegan Pecan Dream: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of butter, and swap dairy milk with almond milk to create a plant-based version of this Southern classic.
• Maple Pecan Celebration: Swap some sugar with pure maple syrup and add a hint of cinnamon to the batter for a deeper, more complex flavor profile that highlights the pecans' natural sweetness.
• Low-Sugar Pecan Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of traditional sugar, and reduce the overall sweetness while keeping the cake's moist and nutty character intact.

FAQs

• Why are pecans toasted before adding to the cake batter?

Toasting pecans enhances their natural nutty flavor and adds a deeper, richer taste to the cake. It also helps prevent the nuts from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking.

• Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?

While pecans are traditional in Southern Georgia Pecan Cake, you can substitute with walnuts or almonds. However, this will slightly change the authentic flavor profile of the cake.

• Is sour cream necessary for this recipe?

Sour cream adds moisture and helps create a tender, soft cake texture. If you don’t have sour cream, you can substitute with Greek yogurt for similar results.

• How do I know if the cake is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is fully baked. The top should also be golden brown and slightly springy to the touch.

Southern Georgia Pecan Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Pecan lovers rejoice with this Southern Georgia Pecan Cake, a delightful dessert steeped in rich culinary tradition. Moist layers of nutty goodness and sweet southern charm will transport you to a charming Georgia kitchen, inviting you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) chopped pecans (toasted)

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) sour cream
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Binding and Topping Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (240 ml) powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) chopped pecans (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Carefully toast chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until they release a rich, nutty aroma and turn golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
2. Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking. Sift together dry ingredients in one bowl, creating a uniform mixture. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, ensuring complete incorporation.
3. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract for depth of flavor. Gradually fold in dry ingredients, alternating with sour cream and milk to maintain a smooth, consistent batter.
4. Gently fold the toasted pecans into the batter, distributing them evenly without overmixing. Divide the batter equally between prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, rotating pans halfway through to ensure even cooking. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with no wet batter.
6. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack. Let cool completely to room temperature before frosting.
7. Prepare the frosting by whipping together powdered sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth and creamy, achieving a spreadable consistency.
8. Once cakes are fully cooled, apply frosting generously between layers and over the entire cake surface. Sprinkle additional chopped pecans on top for a decorative and crunchy finish.

Notes

• Toasting pecans brings out their rich, nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the cake’s texture.
• Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and a more consistent cake batter.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake texture; mix just until ingredients are combined.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add a teaspoon of xanthan gum for better structure.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg