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Pecan Upside Down Bundt Cake

A delightful Southern treat featuring a rich, buttery cake topped with caramelized pecans, perfect for family gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Topping
  • 1 cup brown sugar Packed brown sugar for caramelization
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter Melted to mix with sugar
  • 1 cup pecan halves Evenly sprinkled over the sugar mixture
For the Cake
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar For sweetness and structure
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened At room temperature for creaming
  • 5 large eggs Room temperature for better incorporation
  • 1 cup buttermilk Adds moisture and flavor
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract Enhances flavor
  • 1 tsp baking powder Helps the cake rise
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt Balances sweetness

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a bundt pan to prevent sticking.
  2. In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar and butter over medium heat. Stir until melted and bubbly, then remove from heat and pour into the prepared bundt pan. Sprinkle pecans evenly over the sugar mixture.
Mixing the Batter
  1. In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy.
  2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Baking the Cake
  1. Pour the cake batter over the pecans and sugar in the bundt pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  2. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  3. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate.
Serving
  1. Let the cake cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy the warm, gooey pecan topping!

Notes

Using room temperature ingredients helps achieve a light and fluffy cake. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for a clean release and presentation. Experiment with mix-ins like chocolate chips.