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Moist Butter Pecan Loaf

Featured in Sweet Endings: Irresistible Desserts.

This moist Butter Pecan Loaf, loaded with toasted pecans and covered in a rich cream cheese icing, is pure indulgence. Whip it up for parties, coffee breaks, or casual hangouts. Easy to make, but totally impressive.

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Updated on Tue, 08 Apr 2025 23:36:16 GMT
Moist Butter Pecan Loaf with Cream Cheese Icing Pin it
Moist Butter Pecan Loaf with Cream Cheese Icing | linacooks.com

Nutty Pecan Loaf Cake with Tangy Frosting brings homey comfort in every slice. The toasted nuts give a crunchy contrast to the soft, buttery cake. Topped with creamy cheese frosting, this treat works for everything from fancy parties to casual coffee chats.

Components

  • Unsalted Butter (1 cup): Room temperature for making a smooth batter with that rich, buttery taste.
  • Granulated Sugar (2 cups): Brings needed sweetness that pairs well with the nutty bits and tangy topping.
  • Large Eggs (4): Gives body and richness to your cake mix.
  • Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Adds that warm background note that makes everything taste better.
  • Butter Extract (1 teaspoon, optional): For folks who want that extra buttery kick in their cake.
  • All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): Creates the backbone of your cake, giving it the right body and feel.
  • Baking Powder (1 teaspoon) and Baking Soda (½ teaspoon): Makes your cake puff up nice and light.
  • Salt (½ teaspoon): Perks up all the flavors and cuts through sweetness.
  • Buttermilk (1 cup): Keeps everything soft and adds a nice little tang to the mix.
  • Pecans (1 cup): Toasted and chopped up small for that lovely nutty crunch throughout.
  • Cream Cheese (8 oz): Softened up for that smooth, creamy topping everyone loves.
  • Powdered Sugar (4 cups): Makes your frosting sweet and silky smooth.
  • Milk (1-2 tablespoons): Just enough to get your frosting to that perfect spreading texture.

Method

Step 1: Get Oven Ready
Turn your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter up a 9x5-inch loaf pan and dust with flour so nothing sticks.
Step 2: Get Nuts Ready
Throw chopped pecans into a dry pan over medium heat. Keep them moving for 5-7 minutes until they smell amazing and look golden. Set them aside to cool down.
Step 3: Mix Your Wet Stuff
In a big bowl, beat the soft butter and sugar together until it looks fluffy and pale, about 2-3 minutes. Drop in eggs one by one, mixing after each. Stir in your vanilla and butter flavor if you're using it.
Step 4: Add Dry Things
In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add this to your wet mix bit by bit, switching with splashes of buttermilk. Don't go crazy mixing. Just fold in those toasted pecans gently.
Step 5: Bake It Up
Pour everything into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 55-65 minutes. It's done when a toothpick comes out clean from the middle. Let it hang out in the pan for 10-15 minutes before moving to a rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Make Your Topping
Beat the soft cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar slowly and mix until it looks right. Drop in vanilla and add milk bit by bit until you get a nice spreading texture.
Step 7: Finish It Off
When your cake is totally cool, spread that creamy topping all over the top. If you want, sprinkle more chopped pecans on top to make it look fancy.

Eating and Keeping Tips

  • Ways to Enjoy: Cut up this yummy pecan loaf for dessert, a morning treat, or something sweet with your coffee break.
  • Keeping Fresh: Pop it in a sealed container in your fridge for about 5 days. Let it warm up a bit before eating for the best taste.
  • Save For Later: You can freeze the bare cake without frosting for up to 3 months. Wrap it tight in plastic then foil. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before adding frosting.

Pro Cook Advice

  • Warm Up Your Stuff: Make sure butter, eggs and dairy aren't cold from the fridge. Room temp ingredients mix way better.
  • Easy Does It: Stop mixing as soon as everything comes together. Too much mixing makes your cake tough and flat.

Switch It Up

  • No Nuts Needed: Swap pecans for chocolate chunks or dried cranberries if nuts aren't your thing.
  • Warm Spice Twist: Mix in some cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a cozy flavor kick.
  • Feed A Crowd: Make twice as much and bake in a 9x13-inch pan when you've got more mouths to feed.

Butter Pecan Loaf Icing

This buttery pecan loaf is packed with flavor and topped with smooth cream cheese icing. Ideal for celebrations or a cozy afternoon snack.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
60 Minutes
Total Time
80 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 1 loaf

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 2 cups granulated sugar.
02 1 cup unsalted butter, softened.
03 4 eggs, large size.
04 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
05 1 teaspoon of optional butter flavoring, if desired.
06 2 cups of regular all-purpose flour.
07 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
08 Half a teaspoon of baking soda.
09 Half a teaspoon of salt.
10 1 cup buttermilk or milk with a spoonful of vinegar added.
11 1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped up.
12 8 ounces of softened cream cheese.
13 Half a cup of softened unsalted butter.
14 4 cups of powdered sugar.
15 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
16 1-2 tablespoons of milk, to thin if necessary.

Instructions

Step 01

Warm up your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x5-inch loaf pan by coating with grease and flour.

Step 02

On medium heat, toast the pecans in a skillet for about 5-7 minutes. Stir them often until they're toasty and smell good. Let them cool afterward.

Step 03

Using a large bowl, whip together the sugar with the softened butter until it turns fluffy and pale.

Step 04

Mix in the eggs, one by one, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir vanilla and the optional butter extract into the batter.

Step 05

In a separate bowl, blend the dry items: flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Step 06

Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk into the wet mixture. Don't overmix, stop once it's just blended.

Step 07

Gently stir the toasted pecans into the mixture.

Step 08

Pour the batter evenly into the loaf pan and make the surface smooth.

Step 09

Bake for about 55-65 minutes. It's ready when a toothpick comes out clean after being poked into the center.

Step 10

Let the cake sit in the baking pan for 10-15 minutes. Then move it to a wire rack and let it cool completely.

Step 11

For the frosting, beat together the cream cheese and butter until it's soft and smooth.

Step 12

Slowly mix in the powdered sugar. Stir in vanilla and use milk to thin it out if needed.

Step 13

Once the cake is cool to the touch, spread the cream cheese frosting over the top. Sprinkle extra chopped pecans on if you'd like.

Notes

  1. Soft loaf packed with butter pecan flavor and topped with creamy frosting.
  2. Ideal for cozy gatherings, snack time, or an indulgent treat at home.

Tools You'll Need

  • Oven.
  • Skillet.
  • Mixing bowl.
  • Whisk.
  • Loaf pan.
  • Wire rack.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 25 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 55 g
  • Protein: 5 g