When it comes to Southern desserts, nothing beats the sweet, nutty flavor of pralines—and this Southern Pecan Praline Cake delivers all that goodness in cake form. Made with a buttery cake base packed with pecans and finished with a caramel-like praline glaze, this dessert is rich, moist, and absolutely irresistible.
It’s perfect for family gatherings, church suppers, holidays, or anytime you want to enjoy a true Southern classic. Even better, this cake is easy to make thanks to a few shortcuts, and the praline topping takes it over the top.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box butter pecan cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup chopped pecans
For the Praline Glaze:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Preparation Steps
Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a Bundt pan.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
- In a large bowl, mix cake mix, sour cream, eggs, oil, and milk until smooth. Stir in chopped pecans.
Step 3: Bake the Cake
- Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 4: Make the Praline Glaze
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, cream, and butter. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and pecans.
Step 5: Glaze the Cake
- Pour warm praline glaze over cooled cake, spreading evenly. Let set before slicing.
Variation
- Bundt Cake Version: Bake in a Bundt pan for a fancier presentation.
- Extra Decadent: Add cream cheese frosting under the praline glaze.
- Nut-Free Option: Substitute pecans with walnuts or skip nuts altogether.
- Bourbon Twist: Stir 1 tbsp bourbon into the glaze for extra Southern flair.
Cooking Notes
- Using sour cream in the batter makes the cake moist and tender.
- For a crunchier topping, toast pecans before adding to the glaze.
- The glaze thickens as it cools, so pour while warm.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Slice into squares for potlucks and gatherings.
- Pair with coffee or sweet tea for a true Southern experience.
Tips
- Use a boxed butter pecan mix for the easiest results, but yellow cake mix works too if butter pecan is unavailable.
- Don’t overbake—keep the cake moist for best flavor.
- Store leftovers in the fridge, covered, for up to 5 days.
Prep Time / Cooking Time / Total Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: ~55 minutes
Nutritional Info (per serving, approx. 12 servings)
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 5g
- Carbs: 52g
- Fat: 25g
- Sodium: 430mg
FAQs
Q1: Can I make Southern Pecan Praline Cake ahead of time?
- Yes, you can bake it a day in advance and add the glaze before serving.
Q2: Can I use a different cake mix?
- Yes, yellow or butter cake mix works well if butter pecan mix isn’t available.
Q3: Can I freeze this cake?
- Yes, freeze slices without glaze for up to 2 months. Add glaze after thawing.
Q4: Can I use milk instead of cream for the glaze?
- Heavy cream is best for richness, but half-and-half or evaporated milk can be used.
Q5: Can I make it in cupcake form?
- Yes, divide the batter into cupcake liners, bake for 18–20 minutes, and drizzle glaze on top.
Conclusion
This Southern Pecan Praline Cake is a sweet, nutty, and buttery dessert that captures all the flavors of the South in one bite. With its moist cake base and rich praline glaze, it’s a dessert that’s sure to impress at holidays, potlucks, or family dinners. Easy to make yet fancy enough for special occasions, this cake will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection.