A moist cake and generous frosting are filled with the fabulous flavor of caramel. The candied pecans are almost a dessert by themselves!

 

  • Total Time
    Prep: 40 min. Bake: 1 hour + cooling
  • Makes

    16 servings (5 cups candied pecans)

    Ingredients

    • CANDIED PECANS (optional):
    • 1 large egg white
    • 4 cups pecan halves
    • 1/3 cup sugar
    • 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
    • CAKE:
    • 1 cup butter, softened
    • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
    • 2 cups packed dark brown sugar
    • 4 large eggs, room temperature
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
    • ICING:
    • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
    • 1/4 cup 2% milk
    • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Directions

    • Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, beat egg white until foamy. Add pecan halves; stir gently to coat. Combine sugar and brown sugar; add to pecan mixture and stir gently to coat.
    • Spread into two greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Bake 18-22 minutes, stirring once. Cool. Store in an airtight container.
    • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, cream butter, cream cheese and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition. Stir in chopped pecans.
    • Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 325° 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
    • In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Remove from heat; stir in confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Serve with candied pecans.
    To Make Ahead: The sugared nuts can be made a week in advance. The cake can be made the day before serving tightly wrapped at room temperature.

    Nutrition Facts

    1 slice: 559 calories, 31g fat (17g saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 305mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (48g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.1