Indulge in a symphony of flavors with this three-tiered Candied Pecan Cake adorned with Brown Butter Pears. This decadent creation is a true masterpiece, featuring layers of moist and flavorful cake, enveloped in a luscious Brown Butter Pear Sauce that tantalizes the taste buds. The candied pecans add a delightful crunch and nutty sweetness, elevating this cake to an unforgettable culinary experience. Accompanying this grand dessert are two additional recipes: a classic Southern Sweet Potato Pie, renowned for its velvety filling and flaky crust, and a refreshing Pear and Ginger Fizz, a sparkling beverage that blends the vibrant flavors of pear and ginger. Embark on a culinary journey with this trio of recipes, sure to leave a lasting impression on your palate.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
THREE-TIER CANDIED-PECAN CAKE WITH BROWN-BUTTER PEARS
This cake can be made in advance, but we love it when the filling is warm and syrupy. If you have about 20 minutes to make the filling just before assembling the cake, go for it.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes
Time 1h10m
Yield Makes one 8-inch cake
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Candy the pecans: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss toasted pecans with butter, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast, stirring to coat halfway through, until toasted, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Make the cake: Butter three 8-inch round cake pans, and dust with flour, tapping out excess. Sift flour, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt into a bowl. Beat butter and 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Stir in candied pecans.
- Beat egg whites in a clean bowl with a mixer on high speed until frothy. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and beat until stiff peaks form. Gently fold one-third of the egg whites into the batter using a rubber spatula. Fold in remaining egg whites in 2 additions.
- Divide batter among pans. Bake until cakes are set and a toothpick inserted into the center of each comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks, and let cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make the pear filling: Brown butter in a skillet over medium heat, about 5 minutes. Cook pears, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 6 minutes.
- Make the bourbon whipped cream: Whisk cream, bourbon, and confectioners' sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
- Trim tops of cakes to create a level surface using a serrated knife. Transfer 1 cake to a platter. Spread half the pears over the top. Top with another cake. Spread remaining pears over the top. Top with remaining cake. Spread whipped cream over the top. Garnish with chopped pecans.
PEAR-PECAN UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 3h20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Butter the inside of a 5-quart round slow cooker, then line it completely with a large sheet of foil and butter the foil. Turn the cooker on low. Sprinkle the cut-up butter and the brown sugar over the foil in the cooker. Add the pears, arranging them in a circle, cut-side down.
- Mix the flour, pecans, cornmeal, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a large bowl. In the large bowl of a mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on low speed until just blended. Increase the speed to high and beat until light and fluffy, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed, about 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
- With the mixer on low speed, beat the dry ingredients into the butter mixture in two batches, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix on medium speed just until the batter is smooth. Spread over the pears in the slow cooker. Drape paper towels over the top of the slow cooker (not touching the cake) to prevent condensation from dripping onto the cake. Cover and cook on low until the cake sets and the sides brown, about 3 hours. Turn off the cooker and let the cake rest about 20 minutes.
- Lift the cake by the foil and place on a rack to cool. Carefully invert onto a platter and peel off the foil. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.
BUTTER PECAN LAYER CAKE
Pecans and butter give this cake the same irresistible flavor as the popular butter pecan ice cream flavor. -Becky Miller, Tallahassee, Florida
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h5m
Yield 16 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place pecans and 1/4 cup butter in a baking pan. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently; set aside., In a large bowl, cream sugar and remaining butter until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Stir in 1-1/3 cups of toasted pecans. , Pour into 3 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. , For frosting, cream butter and confectioners' sugar in a large bowl. Add milk and vanilla; beat until smooth. Stir in remaining toasted pecans. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 814 calories, Fat 42g fat (19g saturated fat), Cholesterol 120mg cholesterol, Sodium 375mg sodium, Carbohydrate 107g carbohydrate (86g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
BUTTERSCOTCH-PECAN CAKE
This statuesque cake hides a sweet secret underneath its pecan sheath: brown-butter frosting and butterscotch-soaked layers spiked with rum, both of which make familiar flavors seem sophisticated.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Make the cakes: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Coat three 8-by-2-inch round cake pans with cooking spray, line with parchment, and coat parchment. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Beat butter and brown sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then add vanilla and rum. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in 2 additions, alternating with buttermilk. Raise speed to medium-high, and beat for 2 minutes. Divide batter among pans.
- Bake cakes until golden brown and testers inserted in centers come out clean, about 40 minutes. Transfer pans to wire racks, and let cool slightly. Invert cakes onto racks. Let cool.
- Make the frosting: Melt 1 stick butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until dark golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add brown sugar, cream, and salt, stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, and cook for 3 minutes. Transfer to a mixer bowl, and let cool.
- With machine running, add remaining butter, a few pieces at a time, and beat on low until incorporated. Raise speed to medium, and beat for 2 minutes. In another bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar on medium-high until fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Add brown-butter mixture to cream cheese, and beat until smooth. Cover, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours (or overnight, beating on low speed before using).
- Make the butterscotch sauce: Mix sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat, and cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and whisk in cream. Return to heat, and cook for 2 minutes. Let cool slightly.
- To assemble the cake: Trim tops of 2 cake layers and top and bottom of third (this will be the middle) to create flat exposed surfaces. Brush 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butterscotch sauce on cut sides. Let cool. Spread 1 cup frosting on 1 layer, then place middle layer on top, sauce side down. Spread 1 cup frosting on middle layer, then place third layer on top, sauce side down. Spread 1 cup frosting on top and sides. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
- Using an offset spatula, spread remaining frosting on top and sides of cake. Press chopped pecans on sides, and garnish top with halves. Transfer cake to a serving plate or cake stand. Refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours (or up to 2 days, covered).
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Toast the pecans before using them to enhance their flavor.
- Be careful not to overcook the pears; they should be tender but still hold their shape.
- Make sure the butter is brown and nutty before adding it to the cake batter.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting it.
- For a richer flavor, use dark chocolate chips in the frosting.
- Decorate the cake with additional pecans, pears, or chocolate chips, if desired.
Conclusion:
With its moist, flavorful cake, creamy frosting, and decadent filling, this three-tier candied pecan cake with brown butter pears is sure to be a hit at any gathering. The combination of flavors and textures is simply irresistible. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this cake is definitely worth trying. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time to make it, as it does take some time to prepare. But trust us, it's worth the effort!
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