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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Caramel Pecan Cake

    Published: Jan 11, 2020 · Modified: Feb 13, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 10 Comments

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    Caramel Pecan Cake includes homemade caramel syrup, caramel frosting and a caramel cake! Covered in pecans or toffee bits this dessert will not disappoint!

    Turtle Cake Recipe

    This Caramel Pecan Cake has a history and used to be called our very own Turtle Cake!  I used to get excited every Christmas because I knew we would end up with at least one box of Turtles chocolates and I could not get enough of them, I still have a weakness for them!

    Caramel, pecans and chocolate have always been one of my favorite flavor combinations.  Our Caramel Pecan Cake used to have chocolate chips in it, or chocolate syrup drizzled all over it, or both.  

    Let me tell you how wonderful that was.  Definitely excessive but awesome nonetheless! However, over time, we stopped using the chocolate as my husband always says it turns out that this cake is  just perfect on it's own, most of the time!

    The cake just didn't need the chocolate chips or syrup any more and at times, the toffee bits.  This Caramel Pecan Cake is delicious, all by itself.  I have even made this cake without the pecans which is also fabulous too and I can't believe it myself.

    The bottom line is, if you are looking for a recipe for a turtle cake be sure to include pecans, inside and out, toffee bits inside or out and chocolate chips or chunks, inside or out!

    You can include whatever you want, and how much of each, in this amazing caramel cake and I guaranty you will enjoy every single bite! 

    Best Caramel Cake

    This recipe  for Caramel Pecan Cake is for all of you caramel lovers out there especially and is a cake for every occasion!  It tastes perfect every time you make it!

    I love recipes like this. Recipes that make a perfect 13x9 inch cake, every time you make it, with lots of wonderful icing to spread around! Then all you have to decide is how to decorate it and that is totally up to you!

    Ingredients in Best Caramel Cake Recipe

    • sugar
    • boiling water
    • butter
    • powdered or icing sugar
    • caramel syrup, store bought or our easy homemade
    • flour
    • baking powder
    • salt
    • eggs
    • milk
    • heavy or whipping cream
    • pecans

    How to make Caramel Syrup

    In a small, heavy bottomed skillet or saucepan, pour sugar inside over low heat.

    Stir constantly until it is melted into a brown liquid.

    Allow sugar to bubble, about 20 minutes, keep stirring.

    Once all of the sugar is brown and bubbly remove from heat.

    Slowly add boiling water and continue stirring constantly.

    Next allow to cool inside a container with a lid.

    Use ¼ cup for this cake recipe and use the rest for something else! I usually save it and use on ice cream! Delicious!  

    How to make Easy Caramel Cake

    Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

    Prepare a 13x9 inch pan with cooking spray and parchment paper.  Set aside.  

    In a large mixing bowl, ideally using a handheld mixer, beat butter until smooth.  

    Slowly add 1 cup of sugar, beating until smooth and creamy.

    Beat in the ¼ cup syrup and set aside. 

    In a medium sized bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt.

    Add all of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.  

    Add milk.  

    Blend until totally incorporated.  

    In a separate, medium sized mixing bowl beat eggs for about 3 minutes.  

    The eggs will look foamy.

    Add remaining sugar to egg mixture and beat until mixture resembles a spongy foam, another 3 minutes.

    Stir it gently into cake batter until well blended. 

    Pour batter into your prepared pan.  

    Bake for between 25 and 35 minutes.  

    When you press on the center of the cake it should bounce back or a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

    Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes and then on a wire rack.  

    Prepare icing for when your cake is cool.  

    Caramel Frosting

    First you have to brown your butter in a heavy pot over medium heat.  

    Keep watching and stirring because the butter will burn to a black if you are not.

    Allow the butter to cool.

    Pour the cooled butter into a large mixing bowl.

    Add icing or powdered sugar, cream, vanilla and salt.  

    Beat until smooth.

    If you prefer the icing with a different consistency add a tablespoon or so of cream.

    Spread icing or frosting all over sides and top of your cake in any pattern or design you wish.  

    Sprinkle top with chopped pecans, chocolate chips or chunks and/or toffee bits, if desired.

    Other Cakes to Try

    Caramel Peach Upside Down Cake

    Easy Peach Coffee Cake

    No Bake Drumstick Cake

    The Best B-52 Cake

    Easy Lemon Layered Pound Cake

    Peaches and Cream Stuffed Cake

    The Best Strawberry Banana Cake

    Ladyfinger Lemon Cake

    Chocolate Chip Toffee Cake

    Grandma’s Chocolate Eggnog Pudding Cake

    Fabulous Fruit Cocktail Cake

    The Best Dairy Free Chocolate Cake

    Grandma's Chocolate Orange Cake

    The Best Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

    Caramel Pecan Cake Video

    YouTube video
    Caramel Pecan Cake

    Caramel Pecan Cake

    Karin and Ken
    Caramel Pecan Cake includes homemade caramel syrup, caramel frosting and a caramel cake! Covered in pecans or toffee bits this dessert will not disappoint!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American

    Equipment

    • 13 x 9 inch cake pan

    Ingredients
      

    Caramel Syrup

    • 1 ¼ cup sugar
    • 1 ¼ cup boiling water

    Cake

    • ½ cup butter 1 stick
    • 1 ¼ cups sugar divided
    • ¼ cup caramel syrup
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup milk
    • 2 large eggs

    Caramel Frosting

    • 1 ½ cups butter, plus 1 tablespoon
    • 7 ½ cups powdered or icing sugar
    • 1 ⅛ cups heavy or whipping cream (35%)
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Decorations

    • pecans, chopped
    • toffee bits
    • chocolate chips or chinks
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Get out all of your ingredients, you are going to be making the Best Caramel Cake around!
      Caramel Pecan Cake

    Caramel Syrup

    • In a small, heavy bottomed skillet or saucepan, pour sugar inside over low heat. Stir constantly until it is melted into a brown liquid.
    • Allow sugar to bubble, about 20 minutes, keep stirring.
    • Once all of the sugar is brown and bubbly remove from heat.
      Caramel Pecan Cake
    • Slowly add boiling water and continue stirring constantly.
    • Next allow to cool inside a container with a lid. Use ¼ cup for this cake recipe and use the rest for something else! I usually save it and use on ice cream as it is wonderful!

    Cake

    • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a 13x9 inch pan with cooking spray and parchment paper.  Set aside.  
    • In a large mixing bowl, ideally using a handheld mixer, beat butter until smooth.  
      Caramel Pecan Cake
    • Slowly add 1 cup of sugar, beating until smooth and creamy. Beat in the syrup and set aside. 
      Caramel Pecan Cake
    • In a medium sized bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt.
    • Add all of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.  
    • Add milk.  Blend until totally incorporated.  
    • In a separate, medium sized mixing bowl beat eggs for about 3 minutes.  The eggs will look foamy.
    • Add remaining sugar to egg mixture and beat until mixture resembles a spongy foam, another 3 minutes. Stir it gently into cake batter until well blended. 
    • Pour batter into your prepared pan.  
      Caramel Pecan Cake
    • Bake for between 25 and 35 minutes.    
      Caramel Pecan Cake
    • When you press on the center of the cake it should bounce back or a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
    • Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes and then on a wire rack.  
    • Prepare icing for when your cake is cool.

    Caramel Frosting

    • First you have to brown your butter in a heavy pot over medium heat.  Keep watching and stirring because the butter will burn to a black if you are not.
      Caramel Pecan Cake
    • Allow the butter to cool.
    • Pour the cooled butter into a large mixing bowl.
    • Add icing or powdered sugar, cream, vanilla and salt.  Beat until smooth.
      Caramel Pecan Cake
    • If you prefer the icing stiffer or a harder consistency add a tablespoon or so of heavy or whipping cream.
      Caramel Pecan Cake

    The End

    • Spread icing or frosting all over sides and top of your cake in any pattern or design you wish. Sprinkle top with chopped pecans, chocolate chips or pieces or toffee bits. Enjoy!
      Caramel Pecan Cake
    Keyword cake, caramel, caramel cake, easy cake, easy dessert, pecan
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

     

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    Comments

    1. Afsuneh says

      November 18, 2022 at 8:16 pm

      Hi! This cake sounds amazing, if I want to turn it into a 2 layer round cake, do you think the batter would be enough? Can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        November 19, 2022 at 12:34 pm

        This cake is definitely one of my favourites. I would definitely double the recipe and use 9 inch round cake pans (cake pans are deeper). Double the frosting also. I can’t wait to hear what you think of this cake! Take care and all the best. Karin

    2. Peter says

      October 20, 2020 at 9:24 am

      5 stars
      Loved this cake and will make again. Not too sweet. Thx

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        April 13, 2021 at 6:52 pm

        I am glad to hear you liked this cake. It is a personal favorite of mine. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. All the best. Karin

    3. Vivian says

      January 18, 2020 at 5:26 am

      5 stars
      Cake turned out great But had some icing left over Maybe next time I will make a bit less But my son ate the icing on a spatula and loved it.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        January 18, 2020 at 5:28 am

        I’m sorry you had some icing left over but I am glad your son enjoyed it! This icing is delicious! Thank you for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed. I am so grateful. Take care and all the best. Karin

    4. Karen says

      January 18, 2020 at 5:23 am

      5 stars
      Amazing cake No complaints at all

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        January 18, 2020 at 5:31 am

        Well thank you for saying that! I love this cake and am glad I am not alone. Take care and all the best! Karin

    5. Karly says

      January 18, 2020 at 5:22 am

      5 stars
      This cake is amazing. Made it without nuts because of an allergy but I can’t wait to try it with when I have the opportunity! Thank you for sharing

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        January 18, 2020 at 5:34 am

        It is delicious with or without the nuts. I can’t wait to hear if you like the cake better with nuts or without. Take care and all the best. Karin

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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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