Heavenly Coffee Pecan Cake Recipe

Sweet Coffee & Pecan Delight Cake Recipe for Cozy Baking

Baking a coffee pecan delight cake brings pure magic to your kitchen with its rich, aromatic layers.

The coffee pecan delight cake weaves together deep espresso notes and nutty crunch in a decadent dessert.

Smooth cream frosting cascades between tender cake layers, promising an indulgent experience.

Pecans add a delightful textural contrast that makes every bite memorable.

Warm spices mingle with robust coffee undertones, creating a sophisticated dessert that feels both comforting and elegant.

Weekend celebrations or quiet afternoon treats become extraordinary with this stunning cake.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s dive into a recipe that turns ordinary moments into sweet memories.

Coffee Pecan Delight Cake Ingredient List

For Cake Base:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy texture and helps create tender crumb.
  • Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden, soft cake structure.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture for smooth consistency.
  • Coffee Paste: Infuses deep, complex flavor and enhances cake's richness.
  • Flour: Creates cake's structural foundation and adds substance.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and creates light, airy texture.
  • Pecans: Introduces nutty crunch and enhances overall flavor profile.
For Brittle Decoration:
  • Sugar: Creates caramelized, golden brittle base.
  • Whole Pecans: Provides crunchy texture and decorative element.
For Frosting:
  • Butter: Creates smooth, creamy base for icing.
  • Icing Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve perfect frosting consistency.
  • Water: Adjusts frosting's consistency for ideal spreading.

Baking Tools for Coffee Pecan Delight Cake

Equipment & Tools:
  • Electric mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar, whipping icing to fluffy perfection.
  • Measuring spoons and cups: Essential for precise ingredient quantities.
  • 2 x 20cm sandwich tins: Crucial for baking even cake layers.
  • Wire rack: Helps cakes cool completely without getting soggy.
  • Frying pan: Ideal for making pecan brittle caramel.
  • Baking sheet: Needed to spread and cool the brittle.
  • Spatula: Great for folding ingredients and smoothing cake batter.
  • Knife: Useful for breaking brittle and decorating cake.

Instructions for Making a Coffee Pecan Cake with Nuts

  • Coffee Awakening

Blend softness and rich coffee essence into a delightful cake mixture, combining butter and sugar until they transform into a creamy canvas. Gently introduce eggs one by one, weaving in coffee’s deep notes and a hint of flour with each gentle fold.

  • Oven Magic

Pour the silky batter into prepared pans, creating smooth landscapes that will rise and bloom during baking. Watch as the cake transforms, becoming golden and springy, filling your kitchen with warm, inviting aromas.

  • Pecan Brittle Charm

Create a caramel wonderland by melting sugar into a golden river, then introducing whole pecans that will become crunchy, sweet treasures. Spread this magical mixture onto a surface where it will cool and crystallize into delicate, breakable pieces.

  • Cake Symphony

Whip butter and sugar into a cloud-like frosting, crushing brittle into delicate fragments that will dance throughout the layers. Assemble the cake by spreading this luxurious mixture between layers, transforming simple ingredients into an elegant dessert crowned with glazed pecan jewels.

Tips for Boosting Flavor in Coffee Pecan Cake

  • Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before adding to the batter for an enhanced nutty flavor and extra crunch.
  • Swap instant coffee paste with freshly brewed espresso for a more robust and authentic coffee taste that elevates the cake's depth.
  • Prepare the pecan brittle and cake layers up to two days in advance, storing them separately in airtight containers to streamline your baking process.
  • Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the cake's tender texture for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Experiment with chocolate drizzle, caramel swirls, or crushed espresso beans as alternative toppings to personalize the cake's presentation and add visual appeal.

How to Serve Coffee Pecan Delight Cake

  • Serve with Coffee Companion: Pair this delightful cake with a rich espresso or cappuccino to enhance the coffee notes and complement the nutty pecan flavor.
  • Dramatic Dessert Plating: Slice the cake on a beautiful white ceramic plate, sprinkle some crushed pecan brittle around the edges, and add a small dollop of whipped cream for elegant presentation.
  • Create a Textural Contrast: Garnish each slice with whole glazed pecans and a light dusting of cocoa powder to add visual interest and provide a crunchy element against the smooth cake texture.
  • Weekend Brunch Showstopper: Serve this cake as a centerpiece dessert during weekend gatherings, allowing guests to enjoy its complex flavors and impressive layers alongside morning beverages.

Keeping Your Pecan Cake Moist After Baking

  • Maximize Freshness: Store the Coffee Pecan Delight Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping it away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
  • Refrigerate with Care: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or place in a sealed container if storing in the refrigerator, which extends its life to 5-7 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
  • Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Slice the cake into individual portions, wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake stays delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Perfect Serving Strategy: Cut clean slices using a sharp knife wiped with hot water between each cut. Serve at room temperature to experience the full depth of coffee and pecan flavors, enhancing the cake's rich, complex taste profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 353 kcal

Servings: 9

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Heavenly Coffee Pecan Cake Recipe

Heavenly Coffee Pecan Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Indulgent coffee pecan delight cake delivers rich flavor profiles from classic Southern baking traditions. Sweet layers combine nutty pecans with deep coffee notes, promising delectable comfort for dessert enthusiasts.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 eggs
  • 225 grams (8 oz) butter, room temperature
  • 225 grams (8 oz) light muscovado sugar
  • 175 grams (6.2 oz) plain flour
  • 150 grams (5.3 oz) pecan halves
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) coffee granules
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) milk
  • 8 pecan halves (for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, creating a pale, airy mixture.
  2. Batter Development: Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing coffee extract and a tablespoon of flour with each addition to prevent curdling. Gently fold in remaining flour, baking powder, and chopped pecans until uniformly distributed throughout the batter.
  3. Baking Process: Distribute batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing surfaces with a spatula. Bake for 22-27 minutes until cakes turn golden and pass the springback test. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
  4. Pecan Brittle Creation: In a heavy skillet, caramelize sugar and water without stirring until it reaches a rich golden brown. Quickly add whole pecans, coating thoroughly, then immediately pour onto a silicone mat or greased baking sheet to cool and solidify.
  5. Frosting and Assembly: Whip butter and powdered sugar into a light, fluffy buttercream. Crush cooled pecan brittle and fold into the frosting. Layer the cake with generous amounts of pecan-studded buttercream between and on top of the cake layers. Adorn with whole pecans and brittle fragments for an elegant presentation.

Notes

  • Prevent Curdling Trick: Mix a tablespoon of flour with each egg to stop batter separation and ensure smooth, consistent texture.
  • Precise Baking Timing: Watch cake closely between 22-27 minutes; golden color and springy center indicate perfect doneness.
  • Caramel Brittle Warning: Heat sugar without stirring to achieve even caramelization and prevent crystallization.
  • Frosting Consistency Secret: Add water sparingly to buttercream to reach ideal spreading texture without becoming too runny.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Drinks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 353
  • Sugar: 19 g
  • Sodium: 75 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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