This recipe truly lives up to its name. The pecan-dotted cake is stacked in three layers, and made-from-scratch frosting is the crowning touch.

 

  • Total Time
    Prep: 1-1/2 hours Bake: 20 min. + cooling
  • Makes

    16 servings

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup butter, softened
    • 1/4 cup shortening
    • 2 cups sugar, divided
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 3 cups cake flour
    • 5 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1-1/3 cups whole milk
    • 6 egg whites
    • 1 cup chopped pecans
    • FILLING:
    • 1/3 cup sugar
    • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
    • 2 cups whole milk
    • 3 egg yolks, beaten
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • FROSTING:
    • 1-3/4 cups sugar
    • 4 egg whites
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Directions

    • Grease and flour three 9-in. round baking pans; set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and 1-3/4 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.
    • In a large bowl with clean beaters, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter. Fold in nuts.
    • Transfer to prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
    • For filling, in a small heavy saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; gradually stir in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 2 minutes longer.
    • Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Cool.
    • For frosting, in a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, egg whites, water and cream of tartar over low heat. With a hand mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating on low over low heat until frosting reaches 160°, about 8-10 minutes. Pour into a large bowl; add vanilla. Beat on high until stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes.
    • Spread filling between cake layers. Frost cake. Store in the refrigerator.

    Nutrition Facts

    1 slice: 486 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 301mg sodium, 76g carbohydrate (54g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.