Toasted Butter Pecan Cake

When our good friends got married, part of their wedding cake (there were several flavors) was a toasted butter pecan cake.  Mrs. BA has replicated the cake with this recipe and it was the one she chose for the final round of her office Bakeoff!  And she used whole milk instead of 2%.

The cake was a winner!  As noted earlier, the contest this year was bittersweet for Mrs. BA, with the loss of our good friend, and chief taste tester.  Her win this year and the trophy that she will hold for the next year is dedicated to him.

Toasted Butter Pecan Cake
from Taste of Home

If you like butter pecan ice cream, you'll love this cake. Loads of nuts are folded into the batter, and more are sprinkled over the delectable frosting. —Phyllis Edwards, Fort Valley, Georgia 

12-16 Servings
Prep: 25 min.
Bake: 25 min. + cooling

Ingredients 

• 1 cup plus 
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened, divided 
• 2-2/3 cups chopped pecans 
• 2 cups sugar 
• 4 eggs 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 3 cups all-purpose flour 
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1 cup 2% milk 

FROSTING:

• 2 packages (one 8 ounces, one 3 ounces) cream cheese, softened 
• 2/3 cup butter, softened 
• 6-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk 

Directions

1. In a small heavy skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add pecans; cook over medium heat until toasted, about 4 minutes. Set aside to cool. 
2. In a large bowl, cream sugar and remaining butter until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat just until combined. Fold in 2 cups reserved pecans. 
3. Spread evenly into three greased and waxed paper-lined 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. 
4. For frosting, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Beat in enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Store in the refrigerator.